A landmark recognition at the inaugural EFC National Best Employer Awards 2025
Hayleys was ranked among Sri Lanka’s Top 10 National Best Employers at the inaugural EFC National Best Employer Awards 2025, organised by the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC).
The event, held on 20th January 2026 at the Galle Face Hotel, brought together senior business leaders, policymakers and global thought leaders to celebrate organisations that place people at the heart of sustainable business success.
The new awards framework marks a milestone in Sri Lanka’s corporate landscape by recognising organisations that demonstrate excellence across five dimensions – Strategic HR, Leadership and Culture, National and Socio-Economic Contribution, Ethics and Compliance and Digital Transformation. It highlights companies that balance commercial performance with human-centred leadership, ethical governance and meaningful national impact.
Securing a place among the Top 10 reaffirms Hayleys’ reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s most respected employers, driven by strong values, inclusive leadership and a people-first philosophy that has defined the Group for nearly 150 years.
A legacy built on people and purpose
Founded in 1878, Hayleys has grown into one of Sri Lanka’s largest and most diversified conglomerates, with 17 diverse sectors of businesses spanning manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, consumer products, leisure and services and a strong global footprint. Despite its scale and complexity, the Group has remained anchored in a simple but powerful belief: people are the greatest source of sustainable competitive advantage.
Today, Hayleys employs over 38,000 people, representing diverse backgrounds, skills and communities across Sri Lanka and overseas operations. This diversity is unified by a shared purpose – to inspire an inclusive world and a thriving planet – and by the HAYLEYS & I values framework, which emphasises integrity, accountability, teamwork, respect for humanity, innovation and social responsibility. Far from being aspirational statements, these values shape leadership behaviour, inform decision-making and guide how the organisation engages with employees, partners and communities.
Being recognised among Sri Lanka’s Top 10 National Best Employers affirms how deeply these values are embedded into the lived employee experience across the Hayleys Group.
Strategic HR excellence at national scale
Managing talent across multiple industries and geographies demands systems that balance consistency, inclusivity, and agility.
Hayleys has made sustained investments in learning and development, recognising that capability building underpins both individual progression and organisational resilience. A dedicated Talent Development function drives structured programmes across leadership development, technical and functional skills, and succession planning. Employees at all levels are supported through continuous learning opportunities aligned to business strategy and personal growth aspirations.
Performance management frameworks focus not only on outcomes, but also on behaviours aligned with the Group’s values framework. Regular feedback, clear goal-setting and transparent appraisal processes help employees understand how their roles contribute to broader organisational success. Complementing this, recognition programmes celebrate excellence, innovation and collaboration, reinforcing a culture where contribution is visible and valued.
Compensation and benefits are designed with fairness, competitiveness and long-term well-being in mind. Beyond remuneration, Hayleys places strong emphasis on benefits that support employees and their families, reflecting a holistic understanding of responsible employment in today’s context.
Leadership, culture and well-being
At the heart of Hayleys’ employer value proposition is a human-centred leadership philosophy grounded in trust, empathy and accountability. Leaders are expected to deliver results while creating environments where people feel respected, heard and empowered—an expectation that carries particular significance in large, operationally intensive businesses.
Work-life balance initiatives, structured employee feedback mechanisms and continuous improvement practices contribute to a culture of openness and engagement. Employees are encouraged to share ideas, raise concerns and actively shape their workplaces, strengthening belonging and long-term commitment.
Well-being is viewed as both a strategic and moral imperative. Group-wide health and wellbeing initiatives, access to professional psychological support, preventive medical programmes and robust occupational health and safety systems reflect a genuine commitment to caring for people. Implemented at scale, these initiatives benefit employees across sectors and regions, while also extending positive impact to families and communities.
National impact, ethics and shared achievement
As one of the country’s largest employers, Hayleys contributes significantly to Sri Lanka’s socio-economic fabric, supporting tens of thousands of indirect livelihoods through suppliers, smallholders, and service partners. Inclusion, diversity, and community engagement remain central to this contribution.
Ethical governance continues to underpin the Group’s identity, with strong codes of conduct and transparent policies cultivating trust and pride among employees.
While the EFC National Best Employer Award provided the platform, the achievement belongs to the 38,000-strong Hayleys family — whose passion, resilience, and shared purpose continue to drive the Group forward.
Being recognised among Sri Lanka’s Top 10 National Best Employers reaffirms a long-standing truth at Hayleys: our people are our greatest asset.
Rooted in heritage, strengthened by innovation and driven by purpose, Hayleys continues to set a benchmark for employer excellence in Sri Lanka.
