About

Social Entrepreneur & Founder of Elzian Agro

Lilan Dayananda is a globally recognized social-tech entrepreneur and an influential leader in social impact innovation. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Elzian Agro, he is celebrated for his work in sustainable agriculture and technology-driven solutions, which have earned him numerous prestigious accolades.

Named among the top ten Social Entrepreneurs of the Global South by the United Nations Youth Envoy’s Office, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and UNDP Youth Co., Lilan’s influence continues to expand across regions and sectors. In 2022, he became the first Sri Lankan to win the Commonwealth Youth Award for Excellence in Development Work and received a nomination for the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust Youth Award. His contributions to social enterprise were further acknowledged in 2023 when he was listed among the top 100 meaningful business founders by Ernst & Young (EY), Hogan Lovells Global Law Firms, and Babson College.

In 2024, Lilan’s impact was recognized with numerous awards, including being named Social Entrepreneur of the Year at the New Generation Asia Awards. He also received the Climate Action Leadership Award from the Global Climate Action Partnership, and his enterprise, Elzian Agro, earned both the Best Brand Leadership Award from The World Marketing Congress, CMO Global, and the World Federation of Marketing Professionals, and the Best Employer Brand Award from CHRO Asia and the World Federation of HR Professionals.

Driven by a deep commitment to creating meaningful change, Lilan Dayananda continues to lead transformative projects that uplift communities, promote sustainability, and inspire a new generation of global change-makers.