From One Car to a Portfolio of Possibilities
Hashan Gunathilaka
Managing Director/ Chairman
Leaf Lanka International (Pvt) Ltd & Leaf Lanka Car Sale (Pvt) Ltd
From One Car to a Portfolio of Possibilities
Hashan Gunathilaka
Managing Director/ Chairman
Leaf Lanka International (Pvt) Ltd & Leaf Lanka Car Sale (Pvt) Ltd
Hashan Gunathilaka-Asia's 40 Under 40 2026
Every entrepreneurial journey begins with a moment where opportunity meets intuition. For Hashan Gunathilaka, that realisation came at just 15 years old when his parents decided to move into a new house. They planned to give away their old furniture and household appliances for free, but Hashan saw value waiting to be unlocked. He researched the market prices online, value-priced each item, and negotiated an arrangement with the manager of a car service station across his home to sell them to their staff members.
When every item was sold, Hashan kept a small token as his commission and gave the rest to his parents. “More than making my first extra cash, that experience sparked a lasting impression for deal-making, market negotiations, and consumer psychology,” said Hashan, Chairman, Leaf Lanka International (Pvt) Ltd & Leaf Lanka Car Sale (Pvt) Ltd. But his love for automobiles steered him towards the vehicle import, buying, and sales industry. Hashan believed that sustainable business in any sector has two non-negotiable foundations: unwavering passion and an absolute mastery of the domain.
Hence, he deep dived into understanding every facet of the supply chain, vehicle specifications, and changing market demand. At just 21 years, he turned that conviction into action and launched Leaf Lanka. He got his first investment from a matured insurance policy from his father, using which he imported just a single vehicle in 2015. This was driven by a simple philosophy: respect the craft, know your product inside out, and treat every transaction as the foundation for a long-term relationship. Today, that first single-car import stands as the milestone that launched a thriving venture.
Speaking with TradeFlock, Hashan reminisces about his journey, challenges and opportunities.
How do you evaluate opportunities across industries, and have you ever regretted a decision?
As an entrepreneur, the worst crisis often conceals the greatest opportunity. You simply must be agile enough to pivot. During Sri Lanka’s severe energy crisis in 2022, severe fuel shortages and daily power outages brought our core vehicle dealerships, our primary revenue stream, to a complete standstill with zero sales for ten consecutive months.
Rather than waiting out the downturn, I saw a critical public need and an avenue for innovation. Travelling to Dubai, I sourced reliable renewable energy and backup power solutions. This meant Leaf Lanka’s expansion into the solar energy sector. On the other hand, I saw a potential in luxury ecotourism along with the need for wellness tourism. I managed to acquire a beautifully located land plot to develop a luxury hotel project in the central part of Sri Lanka as my next big project.
This transition proved that every market disruption creates a pathway for a solution. All you need is vision, readiness, and positivity to adapt when your community needs it the most.
Which challenge shaped you most, and how did you overcome it?
Since 2015, the business environment has been extraordinarily volatile, testing us with everything from economic shifts, inflation, and fuel shortages to import bans and the COVID-19 pandemic. While there were a thousand reasons to close the operations, I chose to hold on until the storm passed.
Today, I firmly believe Sri Lanka is emerging as a compelling destination for both local and foreign investors, brimming with untapped potential. When the vehicle import ban took effect, we pivoted directly to local vehicle trade. It still accounts for 80% of our business and plays a small role in supporting national foreign exchange reserves.
I believe that running a business during uncertain times comes down to two things: making decisive strategic shifts and having unwavering faith in your ability to see it through.
What lesson from your corporate communications career still guides you as an entrepreneur?
My early career in corporate communications at a multinational corporation laid the foundation for my entire entrepreneurial journey. I’ve always believed that business is more than just selling a product or service, especially today. It’s about human connection, networking, and standardising how you communicate. That foundational experience sharpens my communication skills and builds the key network that continues to propel my ventures forward.
What impact do you hope to create, and what is your next big goal?
At its core, I believe business must serve a dual purpose: generating sustainable profits while making a positive impact on both society and the environment. We are proud to sponsor two national motor racers for the second consecutive year, alongside several other targeted CSR initiatives.
However, my ultimate ambition extends far beyond philanthropy. The overarching goal of my journey is to build new, resilient ventures that continuously create meaningful job opportunities for the people of Sri Lanka, empowering our communities from within.
If not entrepreneurship, what career would you have chosen, and why?
My path into the business world was guided by heart as much as strategy. In college, falling in love with my wife inspired me to choose the commerce stream, pivoting away from the medical path followed by my doctor father. Looking back, it was the best decision I ever made. I was fortunate enough to choose the right partner in life and the perfect career to match.
POWER PROFILE CARD
Age: 32
Country: Sri Lanka
Industry/Sector: Automobile/Hospitality
Years in Leadership: 10
Leadership Philosophy: Transactional Leadership
Motivation: The idea is not to live forever, but to create something that will.
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