Sanjeewa Bandaranayake Takes Helm as CEO and General Manager of Peoples Leasing & Finance PLC

People’s Leasing & Finance PLC, Sri Lanka’s leading non-bank financial services institution and a subsidiary of People’s Bank, has announced the appointment of Mr Sanjeewa Bandaranayake as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and General Manager (GM). His appointment is effective from 6th August 2024, and has received the approval of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Mr Bandaranayake brings with him over 36 years of comprehensive experience, with 31 of those years dedicated to the Non-Banking Financial Institution (NBFI) sector. Having joined People’s Leasing & Finance PLC in 2007 as the Deputy General Manager of Finance and Administration, he has been instrumental in driving various strategic functions such as Finance, Treasury, Administration, Human Resources, Information Technology, Credit, and Marketing. His exceptional leadership and strategic business acumen have significantly contributed to the company’s consistent market leadership in the NBFI sector for 15 consecutive years.

Mr Bandaranayake’s professional track record is marked by his dedication to excellence and his various achievements in the financial services sector. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Australia, and the Society of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka, and a finalist of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK). His expertise was further recognised by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, which appointed him as the acting CEO with the responsibility of resurrecting and restructuring three separate finance companies that were in distress in 2009, 2013, and 2015, respectively.

He has also served as a Director of the Credit Information Bureau (CRIB) for over a decade and held the position of Chairman of the Leasing Association twice, where he was a Board Member for more than 10 years. He also served as a Board Member of the Finance House Association. His extensive background and proven track record make him a valuable asset to People’s Leasing & Finance PLC as he steps into his new role as CEO/GM. Accordingly, this appointment is anticipated to further strengthen the company’s leadership and drive future growth, reflecting its commitment to excellence in the financial services sector.