JAT Holdings
Corporate brand
UnclaimedJAT Holdings is a Sri Lankan paints, coatings and related-products company serving residential, commercial and industrial markets.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
JAT Holdings is a Sri Lankan multinational paints and coatings company headquartered in Thalawathugoda. Its business covers the manufacture, sale and distribution of paints, wood coatings and related products for retail, furnishing and industrial applications. The company is associated with a portfolio of coating, surface-treatment, abrasives, brushes, chemicals and furnishing brands, including Sayerlack, Harris, BormaWachs, Norton, Brush Master, Masters and J CHEM. It also distributes furnishing-related brands such as Herman Miller, SEA and Houros. The company was established in 1993 by brothers Joyce, Aelian and Tyrone Gunawardene. Its name was formed from the initials of the three founders. At the beginning of its development, JAT Holdings acted as the principal agent in Sri Lanka for the Italian coatings company Sayerlack. Through that relationship, it introduced polyurethane coatings to the Sri Lankan market, helping establish its position in wood finishes and specialist coatings. JAT expanded its manufacturing capabilities with the establishment of a large-scale plant in Kahathuduwa in 2002. The facility strengthened the company’s ability to manufacture and supply coatings locally rather than relying solely on agency and distribution activities. The company subsequently broadened its activities beyond coatings. In 1995, it entered real-estate development and developed residential colonies in Sri Lanka. In 2015, it acquired Ceynox Networks, an information-technology company, and used the acquisition to create JAT Technologies, adding a technology-related business to its wider portfolio. JAT Holdings has also used sports sponsorship and athlete endorsements as part of its market presence. The company has sponsored cricket, tennis, golf and other sporting events in Sri Lanka, and signed cricketer Rangana Herath as a brand ambassador in 2017. In 2020, it was included among LMD’s Top 20 Conglomerate Brands in Sri Lanka. The company was listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange in 2021, marking a further stage in its development as a diversified Sri Lankan corporate group. Its principal identity remains rooted in paints, coatings and surface-treatment products. The business serves both consumer-facing retail channels and professional or industrial customers, while its wider activities include distribution, furnishing, technology and real estate. Available reference material does not provide a current breakdown of revenue, geographic sales, management structure or individual product-market shares. A historical reference states that JAT Holdings held approximately 75 percent of Sri Lanka’s paint-industry market share as of 2016; that figure is time-specific and is not treated here as a current position.
History
JAT Holdings was founded in Sri Lanka in 1993 by Joyce, Aelian and Tyrone Gunawardene. The company’s name was derived from the initials of its three founding brothers. Its early business was built around the representation of Sayerlack, an Italian coatings company, for which JAT served as principal agent in Sri Lanka. This relationship enabled JAT to introduce polyurethane coatings to the Sri Lankan market and established an early specialization in wood coatings and finishing systems. The company expanded from agency and distribution into local manufacturing. In 2002, it established a large-scale manufacturing plant at Kahathuduwa. The investment increased its production capacity and supported a broader role in the Sri Lankan paint and coatings sector. JAT’s activities came to include the manufacture, sale and distribution of paints, wood coatings and products aimed at retail, furnishing and industrial customers. JAT also developed interests outside its core coatings activities. The company entered real-estate development in 1995 and developed residential colonies in Sri Lanka. In 2015, it acquired Ceynox Networks, an information-technology company, and created JAT Technologies. This move added a technology operation to a group whose principal commercial identity remained based on paints, coatings and related products. The company’s brand and distribution portfolio expanded to include Sayerlack, Harris, BormaWachs, Norton, Brush Master, Masters and J CHEM, as well as furnishing-related brands such as Herman Miller, SEA and Houros. These activities positioned JAT as both a manufacturer and a distributor, with offerings ranging from coatings and wood-care products to abrasives, application tools, chemicals and furnishings. Sports sponsorship has been another part of JAT’s public-facing activity. The company has supported cricket, tennis, golf and other sports events in Sri Lanka. In 2017, it signed cricketer Rangana Herath as a brand ambassador. The company was recognized in 2020 through inclusion in LMD’s Top 20 Conglomerate Brands in Sri Lanka. In 2021, JAT Holdings was listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. A reference describing the Sri Lankan paint market states that JAT held a 75 percent market share in 2016. Because this is a historical and source-specific figure, it should not be interpreted as a current market-share claim. The available material does not establish current revenue, employee numbers, executive leadership, ownership percentages, or the detailed status of every brand and business line.
- 2021
Colombo Stock Exchange listing
[1]JAT Holdings is listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange.
- 2017
Rangana Herath becomes brand ambassador
[1]The company signs Sri Lankan cricketer Rangana Herath as a brand ambassador.
- 2015
Ceynox Networks acquisition
[1]JAT Holdings acquires Ceynox Networks and forms JAT Technologies.
- 2002
Kahathuduwa manufacturing plant opens
[1]The company establishes a large-scale manufacturing plant in Kahathuduwa.
- 1995
Entry into real-estate development
[1]JAT Holdings enters real estate and develops residential colonies in Sri Lanka.
- 1993
JAT Holdings is founded
[1]Joyce, Aelian and Tyrone Gunawardene establish the company in Sri Lanka, using their initials for its name.
Products and positioning
A Sri Lankan coatings-led corporate group combining local manufacturing, brand distribution and selected activities in technology, real estate and furnishing. Its market proposition spans household, professional, retail and industrial customers.
Architectural coatings
Paints and decorative coatings
JAT Holdings manufactures and distributes paints and coatings for residential, commercial and retail use. The available reference material does not identify individual paint ranges or provide current specifications, but places these products at the center of the company’s Sri Lankan business.
Wood coatings
Sayerlack
Sayerlack was the Italian coatings brand for which JAT Holdings initially acted as principal agent in Sri Lanka. The relationship introduced polyurethane coatings to the local market and remains part of JAT’s wood-coatings and finishing portfolio.
Wood care and finishing
BormaWachs
BormaWachs is listed among the brands distributed by JAT Holdings. It is associated with wood-care and finishing products, although the supplied reference does not provide a detailed range, market launch date or current distribution footprint.
Abrasives
Norton
Norton is included in JAT Holdings’ distribution portfolio as an abrasives brand serving professional, industrial and related surface-preparation applications.
Painting tools
Harris, Brush Master and Masters
These brands are identified as part of JAT Holdings’ broader product portfolio. They cover painting and application-related products, including brushes and associated tools, supporting the company’s coatings business across retail and professional channels.
Chemicals and related products
J CHEM
J CHEM is listed among JAT Holdings’ distributed brands. The supplied sources identify the brand but do not describe its individual products or technical applications in sufficient detail.
Furnishing products
Herman Miller, SEA and Houros
JAT Holdings offers a furnishing-related range that includes Herman Miller, SEA and Houros. These brands extend the group’s commercial scope beyond coatings into workplace and furnishing solutions.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017Rangana Herath brand ambassadorship
Sri Lanka
JAT Holdings appointed Sri Lankan cricketer Rangana Herath as a brand ambassador, connecting the company with a high-profile national sports personality.
- Sports sponsorship programme
Sri Lanka
The company has sponsored cricket, tennis, golf and other sporting events in Sri Lanka as part of its brand-building and community-facing activity.
Brand decisions
2021
List on the Colombo Stock ExchangeOtherBackground
After developing a diversified Sri Lankan business group, JAT Holdings moved to public-market status.
Action taken
JAT Holdings was listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange.
Aftermath
The listing made the company publicly traded; the supplied material does not specify the ticker, offering size or listing price.
2015
Acquire Ceynox NetworksM&ABackground
JAT Holdings sought to broaden its activities beyond its coatings-led business.
Action taken
The company acquired information-technology firm Ceynox Networks and created JAT Technologies.
Aftermath
The transaction added a technology operation to the group. No transaction value or later operating results are provided in the reference material.
2002
Expand into large-scale local manufacturingStrategyBackground
JAT Holdings had developed from its initial role as a coatings agent and distributor.
Action taken
The company established a large-scale manufacturing plant in Kahathuduwa.
Aftermath
The plant strengthened JAT’s manufacturing position in paints and coatings, although the supplied sources do not quantify its capacity or subsequent financial impact.
Recent events
Reported
JAT launches woodcraft training programme[2]
JAT Holdings launched the Pinthaaroo-Shilpee Abhiman programme to provide training and apprenticeships to woodcraftsmen; 16 craftsmen were registered in its inaugural batch at the event.
Reported
JAT Holdings and NAITA partner on woodcraft training[2]
JAT Holdings and the National Apprentice Industrial Training Authority entered into a partnership through a memorandum of understanding for a woodcraft training and apprenticeship programme.
JAT Holdings announces planned IPO[3]
JAT Holdings announced its intention to conduct an IPO on July 20, 2021. The article reports a planned offering, not a completed IPO.
Reported
JAT Holdings appoints two directors to its board[4]
JAT Holdings announced the appointment of Devaka Cooray and Priyanthi Pieris to its board of directors.
Sources4 sources
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