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 6 th
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.