Chief Executive Officer / Mr. Udesh Gunawardena
Mr. Udesh Gunawardena is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in finance and operations management. As the Chief Operating Officer of People’s Leasing & Finance PLC, he played a pivotal role in driving the company’s strategic initiatives and ensuring operational excellence. With a career spanning over two decades, Mr. Gunawardena has established himself as a respected figure in the financial industry, demonstrating expertise across various domains.
Mr. Gunawardena’s academic qualifications underscore his dedication to continuous learning and professional development. Holding prestigious designations such as ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant) and ACMA (Associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) from Sri Lanka, he has also earned a Diploma in Treasury, Investments, and Risk Management from the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (IBSL). This solid educational foundation equips him with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of the financial sector effectively.
Throughout his career, Mr. Gunawardena has held several key positions, each contributing to his holistic understanding of finance and business operations. His tenure as the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of Lankan Alliance Finance Limited in Bangladesh provided him with invaluable international exposure and insights into diverse regulatory environments. Additionally, serving as the Deputy General Manager of Internal Audit at People’s Leasing & Finance PLC and as the Secretary to the Board Audit Committee further honed his expertise in risk management and corporate governance.
Mr. Gunawardena’s extensive experience spans accounting, auditing, financial management, and treasury operations, reflecting his versatility and proficiency in multifaceted roles within the financial landscape. His ability to adapt to changing market dynamics and his strategic vision have been instrumental in driving sustainable growth for the organizations he has served.
In addition to his role as Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Gunawardena holds notable positions as a Non-Executive Director of Lankan Alliance Finance Limited in Bangladesh and as a Director of the Leasing Association of Sri Lanka. These leadership roles underscore his commitment to contributing to the broader development of the financial industry and fostering collaboration across borders.
Mr. Gunawardena’s dedication and contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed. His achievement as a World Prize winner of the Australian Computer Society is a testament to his outstanding capabilities and accomplishments in the realm of finance and technology.
Mr. Udesh Gunawardena emerges as a distinguished figure in the finance sector, leveraging his extensive experience, academic credentials, and leadership acumen to drive organizational success and industry advancement. His strategic insights, coupled with his commitment to excellence, position him as a valuable asset to People’s Leasing & Finance PLC and the broader financial community.
Former CEO / GM, Mr. Shamindra Marcelline
Shamindra Marcelline, Senior Vice President/Head of Corporate Banking, DFCC Bank, Sri Lanka, joins People’s Leasing & Finance PLC as the Chief Executive Officer/General Manager with effect from 20th November 2020.
An experienced banker with local and foreign bank exposure in addition to working overseas for the HSBC Group, Mr Marcelline brings with him unique industry insights so as to contribute towards the strategic direction of the Company.
At DFCC, he spearheaded the Bank’s Corporate Banking strategic initiatives across the country and in overseas markets.
In October last year, he played a key role in securing the mandate for Sole Adviser and Structuring Bank for a Dual Tranche Bi-lateral Loan Facility for a leading Maldivian company, recognized as the largest ever loan facility given by DFCC Bank Sri Lanka.
As a member of the Bank’s Executive Committee, Asset and Liability Committee and Operational Risk Management Committee, Mr Marcelline played a strategic role in harnessing the Bank’s corporate initiatives.
He joined DFCC Bank following a cross posting, as the Country Manager, Maldives, by the HSBC Group.
He is credited with the transformation of the banking industry in Maldives and he was responsible for the largest asset drive in the islands at the time.
Under his stewardship, the development, performance and growth of the Commercial and Global Banking business consisting of corporate real estate, international subsidiary banking and public sector areas, grew into a formidable wholesale banking initiative. It included P&L responsibility and he successfully oversaw a team of Relationship and Product Managers, enabling the Bank to build and sustain strategic relationships with key stakeholders and business leaders.
He also headed the Financial Institutions Group and Public Sector for HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives before joining the DFCC Bank.
Among his key achievements he had been successful in managing the Sri Lanka Sovereign and Quasi-Sovereign Institutions implementing the HSBC Group Investment Banking strategy.
Mr Marcelline has strong credentials in the banking and finance sector in Sri Lanka and has contributed towards showcasing Sri Lanka’s investment potential globally.
He has participated in multiple investor-road-show events held across the USA, UK, Middle East and South East Asia as a part of the initiatives driven by the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Sri Lanka and leading State and Commercial Banks.
Mr Marcelline graduated from the Colombo International School in Sri Lanka in 1993. He holds a Degree in Economics and Accountancy (BSc.) from City University (1996), London (UK) and also in Financial Advisors’ International Qualification (FAIQ), Chartered Insurance Institute, UK (2008).
Former CEO / MD (1997 – 2017), Mr. D.P. Kumarage
After 20 years of yeomen service to PLC, Mr. D.P. Kumarage, CEO/GM of PLC and the Managing Director of the subsidiary companies of PLC, bid adieu to his achievement filled vibrant career. PLC was incorporated in 1995 as a wholly owned subsidiary of People’s Bank and Mr. Kumarage was appointed as the CEO/GM of PLC in 1997. Mr. Kumarage’s visionary leadership took the company to the helm of its success. Mr. Kumarage captained the company to become the undisputed leader in leasing and the largest non-bank finance company. He championed the listing of PLC on the Main Board of the CSE and took the business beyond Sri Lankan shores, expanding operations to Bangladesh. The name of Mr. D.P. Kumarage will be written in gold in PLC’s history.