Emali Gunasekara Director of Earl’s Court Group of Hotels, Sew Gunasekara Pawn Brokers, & Vogue Jewellers (Aus) pty Ltd

The story of a leader rising through the ranks is often compelling, but few manage to bridge as many critical industries as our cover star. As the dynamic Group Director of Earl’s Hotels, her professional scope extends far beyond luxury hospitality, encompassing major ventures in the jewellery sector with Vogue and vital work in the finance business. This is the journey of someone who built her career on a foundation of sheer discipline and exceptional academic rigour, earning world prizes at Monash University and holding qualifications across four diverse disciplines. How does one woman manage such vast responsibilities while charting a course for international expansion into highly competitive markets? In this exclusive interview, we explore the core principles that have characterised her rapid ascent. She shares her vision for making the ‘Earl’s’ brand an icon of sophistication, the unique strategy for launching Sri Lankan master craftsmanship onto the global stage, and the people-first leadership style that guides her teams. Read on to discover the secrets to her unwavering success and the exciting future projects that keep her motivated.

Words - Sachini Perera
Photos - Jagath Dharmakeerthi
Location - ITC Rathnadipa, Colombo

Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and how your journey from St. Bridget’s Convent led to your role as Director of Earl’s Hotels?

My journey began when I was young, during my school days at St. Bridget’s Convent. That time taught me how important focus and hard work are. I showed my commitment to achieving great things, not just by getting 9A’s for my O/L’s, but also by being a leader—I was a prefect and the captain of the school badminton team. This strong start led me straight into my college studies, beginning with foundation courses at UCL Sri Lanka, which is linked to Monash University. I then moved to Australia to finish my bachelor’s degree at Monash University. The time abroad was key; it included an important internship at an Australian company, which gave me great real-world experience. This experience quickly led to my first professional role in accounting at the head office of the Melbourne Airport. When I returned home, I added to my experience with an internship at Aitken Spence, which helped me connect my international training with local knowledge of the industry. The final step was to fully join the family business, the Earl’s Court Group. I spent dedicated time working closely with my father, getting practical, hands-on experience in many different hotels within the group. Once I was confident and understood how every part of the business worked completely, I was promoted to my current role as Group Director for the entire organisation.