Royal Commonwealth Society, Hong Kong Branch records with deepest sorrow the passing of Dr the Hon. Hari N. Harilela, GBM, GBS, OBE, JP, Patron of Royal Commonwealth Society, HK Branch on 29 December 2014. He was 92 years old.
Dr Harilela was a distinguished Indian entrepreneur based in Hong Kong. He was Hon. Chairman of the Harilela Group and Harilela Hotels Ltd. Founded with his three brothers in 1959, the Harlilela Group has developed into a global conglomerate with businesses in a wide range of sectors, from hospitality and real estate investment to import and export trading.
As our Patron, Dr Halilela was a strong supporter of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Hong Kong Branch, and will be remembered for the annual dinners he hosted at his Kowloon Tong residence and for his support of the educational and charitable work of RCS.
Dr Harilela had an impressive record of public service in the fields of education, health, trade and commerce, music and arts and social welfare for the Indian and local communities. Founder of the Harilela Foundation, he participated enthusiastically in the work of many charitable bodies. He also spared no effort in fostering friendly ties between India and Hong Kong and in raising the profile of the Indian community in Hong Kong.