| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kanthi Johnpillai | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 1950 (age 75–76) Colombo, Ceylon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm opening bowler | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | All-rounder | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Sunday Times, 19 January 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kanthi Johnpillai (born 1950) is a former Sri Lankan first-class cricketer and prominent business executive. He is the current chairman of the KAYJAY Group, one of Sri Lanka's largest security and logistics conglomerates.
Early life and education
editJohnpillai was born in Colombo in 1950. His father, Bede Johnpillai, was a senior officer in the Sri Lanka Police, serving as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) for Traffic.[1]
He was educated at St. Joseph's College, Colombo, where he was a standout athlete in both rugby union and cricket. He captained the school's cricket teams at the Under-12, Under-14, and Under-16 levels, eventually serving as Vice-Captain of the senior First XI.
Cricket career
editAfter leaving school at 17, Johnpillai joined the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), becoming one of its youngest team members. He played in the prestigious P. Sara Trophy alongside notable Sri Lankan cricketers such as Duleep Mendis and Anura Tennakoon. Known as a hard-hitting batsman and an effective opening bowler, he gained a significant following in the domestic circuit.[1]
In 1972, he moved to the Colombo Cricket Club (CCC). He was a key member of the side that won the P. Sara Trophy on several occasions during the 1970s. His career took place during the "pre-Test" era of Sri Lankan cricket, before the country was granted Full Member status by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1981.
Business career
editJohnpillai began his professional career as an apprentice at Walker & Sons Company Ltd and later worked as a factory manager for Shaw Wallace & Hedges. In 1976, he joined the family business, KAYJAY Agencies (Private) Limited, which had been founded by his father.
Under his leadership as Chairman, the company grew into the KAYJAY Group. As of 2025, the group employs over 3,000 security personnel and has diversified into several sectors, including:
- Logistics: Operating prime mover fleets for port transport and cash-in-transit services.[2]
- Hospitality: Owning and operating four boutique hotels under the KAYJAY Hotels brand.
- Technology: Surveillance and electronics through Kayjay Electronics (Pvt) Ltd.
References
edit- 1 2 Sivendran, S. (2 May 1999). "Rugby reminiscences". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ↑ "Daily News Archive - April 6, 2009". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 6 April 2009. Retrieved 19 January 2026.