Four Years, Countless Lessons: My Journey at John Keells Group
By Kalindu Gorokgodage
Four years ago, I joined the John Keells Group straight out of university, an experience that has since shaped both my professional and personal growth.
I entered through the John Keells Management Trainee (JKHMT) Programme, which immediately stood out for its promise of cross-sector exposure and accelerated learning. After several rounds of interviews and assessments, I was thrilled to be selected as part of the 2021/22 batch.
The next 15 months were intense and rewarding, offering a unique opportunity to work across a wide spectrum of industries, from office automation at JKOA, innovation at the now defunct John Keells X, and real estate at John Keells Properties, to marine bunkering with Lanka Marine Services, hospitality at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, and consumer goods at Ceylon Cold Stores (CCS). Each rotation brought fresh challenges, invaluable mentors, and diverse perspectives that broadened my understanding of business and leadership.
Beyond work, the programme also introduced me to the John Keells Foundation (JKF) and its community development initiatives. Organising a soft-skills webinar series for undergraduates was a deeply fulfilling experience, and contributing to the Persons with Disabilities inclusion strategy gave me a real sense of purpose, knowing I was part of something that made a tangible difference.
After completing the programme, I joined Ceylon Cold Stores as an Assistant Brand Manager, continuing the confectionery project I had started as a trainee. Seeing the product successfully launched and contributing significantly to the business was an immensely proud moment.
A year later, I took on the single-serve confectionery category, a major profit driver for the sector. Working with an incredible team and mentors, I helped deliver the category’s best-ever performance and led the largest brand revamp in its history with Elephant House Wonder. Recently, I was promoted to Brand Manager, taking on new responsibilities and setting my sights on the next phase of growth.
Looking back, these four years feel like a journey of discovery, each challenge and opportunity adding to my learning curve. I’m deeply grateful for the JKHMT programme, the Consumer Foods sector, and the inspiring people who continue to make John Keells Group a place of growth, innovation, and purpose.
