Our Management

Mr. Wasantha Gunawardhane is a seasoned professional in the microfinance and community development fields, currently serving as the General Manager of People’s Micro-Commerce Limited, a subsidiary of People’s Leasing & Finance PLC, which has state ownership through being the subsidiary of People’s Bank. He was the first employee in People’s Micro-Commerce Limited, which started with him and he has now been with the company for 14 years. With 32 years of industry experience, Mr. Wasantha has a strong background in General Administration, Human Resource Management, and Operations Management, particularly in the NGO sector and cooperatives, focusing on Business Development and Animal Husbandry.

He began his career as the first employee of Berendina, where he worked his way up to Resident Project Manager. Later, he served as the Head of Field Operations at Lak Jaya Microfinance. Mr. Wasantha has also been actively involved in the Lanka Microfinance Practitioners’ Association (LMFPA), where he held roles such as Honorary Vice President, Treasurer, and Director, gaining extensive corporate-level management experience.

Mr. Gamini Krishantha Kiringoda Gamage is an experienced Central Banker with 24 years of experience in Directory roles in various departments in Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Mr. Gamage has had a wide range of exposure in numerous fields of on-site and off-site supervision of licensed commercial and specialized banks as a senior examiner of the Bank Supervision Department and Information System Auditor of the Bank Supervision Department. He has worked in the Currency Department as the Deputy Director in-charge of operational, Policy and Administration of Currency in Central Bank. In addition to his experience at the Central Bank, he has served 10 years as a Staff Officer and Manager of People’s Bank, specialized in retail banking, international banking and overlooking the Department of Information Technology. Mr. Gamage obtained his first degree in Science at University of Sri Jayawardenapura. He also has an M.Sc. in International Economics from the University of Illinois in USA, a Post Graduate Diploma in Information Technology from University of Colombo and a Diploma in Information System Audit from the Institute of Charted Accountants of Sri Lanka.

Mr. Nirmalan Nayagam is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Sejaya Microcredit Limited. Prior to this, he has been in the microfinance industry for about 15 years, first as the Chief Financial Officer at VisionFund Lanka and as a Regional Finance Director at VisionFund International, covering both Asia and Eastern Europe regions. He holds a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK

Mr. Charith Fernando serves as the Executive Board Member and Deputy Managing Director of Berendina Micro Investments Company Ltd (BMIC). Before stepping into this role, he served as the General Manager of Berendina Microcredit Institute (Guarantee) Limited and the General Manager – Finance & Administration of Berendina Group. He has more than 23 years’ experience in the fields of Auditing, Accounting, Finance Management and Microfinance in private and ‘NGO’ sector establishments.

Mr. Charith holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK and a B.Sc. Degree in Public Management (Special) from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Additionally, he is also a Certified Microfinance Management Professional at the Boulder Institute of Microfinance, USA. He is also in the final stage obtaining his Chartered Accountancy qualification from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL).

Mr. Saman Ranaweera is the Chief Manager – Business Operations at Ventura Crystal Investments Ltd. He has over 31 years’ of experience in the Microfinance sector with more than 25 years in the management and top management in leading Microfinance Institutions in the Industry.

He started his career as a Divisional Project Manager at Seeds Guarantee Ltd in 1993 where he served for 9 years prior to joining Agro Microfinance (GTE) Ltd as a Credit Manager. Prior to joining Ventura Crystal Investments Ltd, he also served as the Senior Manager – Field Operations at Lakjaya Microfinance Ltd and as the Senior Manager – Operations at Agro Microfinance (GTE) Ltd.

Mr. Ranaweera is a fully Certified Trainer of the Microfinance Distance Course by the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) and Tokyo Development Learning Centre (TDLC). He is also a Certified Trainer of CGAP. He has also attended various “Training of Trainers” programs conducted by Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and LMFPA & Plan Sri Lanka. Mr. Ranaweera served as a Director from 2020/2022 to 2022/2023 of LMFPA.

Mr. Priyantha Dematagoda is the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of Sewa Community Credit Limited, is a Professional Banker with 23 years of Commercial Banking experience. He was a Faculty member of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (IBSL), Center for Banking Studies CBSL, and also serves as Trainer in various disciplines in banking at many Private and Government Commercial Banks in Sri Lanka. He is also a Certified Trainer in Microfinance by Frankfurt School for Finance and Management. He holds a Masters’ Degree in Business Studies and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Colombo. He also holds a Diploma in Human Rights (Institute of Human Rights Sri Lanka). He has also undergone professional training at National University of Singapore (NUS), and with the Association for Development Financing in Asia and Pacific (ADFIAP) and University of Sri Jayawardhanapura. Mr. Dematagoda was a Past President 2021/22, and has previously served as LMFPA Treasurer 2017/2018 and Vice President 2019/2020 and 2020/2021.

Mr. Chamika Weerasinghe has over 22 years of experience in the banking and finance sector, specializing in Micro Financing, SME Financing, Corporate Banking, Retail/Branch Banking, Trade Finance, Project Finance, and Credit Risk Management. He has worked with some of the most respected banks in Sri Lanka, including NDB Bank PLC, DFCC Bank
PLC, and Seylan Bank PLC, and has held senior management positions in the banking and finance industry both locally and internationally. Currently, Mr. Weerasinghe serves on multiple director boards in the banking and finance sector.

In addition to his extensive banking experience, Mr. Weerasinghe is a veteran investment adviser in the local and Asian markets, providing advisory services on fund and liquidity management in finance and other versatile sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Special) Degree from the University of Sri Jayawardenapura and a Master of Business Administration. He is also an Associate Member of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka.

Mr. Chamika Weerasinghe’s profound knowledge and extensive experience make him a highly respected figure in the banking and finance industry. His contributions have significantly impacted the institutions he has worked with, and his advisory services continue to benefit the finance sector across the region.

Mr. Bandula Hennadige is the Executive Director of the South Asia Partnership- Sri Lanka (SAPSRI). He is a development professional with over 40 years of working experience. His areas of expertise include project development, regional planning, and management, monitoring and evaluation of medium and large-scale projects, rural infrastructure, food security, social mobilization, livelihood development and water and sanitation for marginalized communities.

He has gained much practical knowledge and experience while working in the public sector in various positions, including as a Project Director in the donor financed “Integrated Rural Development Programs” (IRDPs) that were implemented in the ’80s and’ 90s in Sri Lanka. Additionally, he has served as Senior Program Officer in the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Royal Netherlands and has also managed donor-funded projects in the NGO sector.

Mr. Hennadige holds a B. Com degree from the University of Peradeniya and a Diploma in Industrial Development from the National Institute of Business Management. He also has a postgraduate master’s degree in economics from the University of Wales in the UK.

Mr. Imran Nafeer is a Director of Muslim Aid Micro Credit Company and has experience and exposure both local and international level as a Microfinance consultant in various aspects including Social Performance Management, Research & Product Development, Islamic Microfinance and Micro Insurance. He is an accredited trainer of CGAP and Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. Recently he was awarded as a certified Social Auditor from CERISE France on behalf of LMFPA. He holds an Honours Degree in B. Com. (Marketing) Special from the University of Sri Jayawardenapura. He obtained Post Graduate Qualifications in Marketing from Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK) and in International Relations from Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS). He also serves as a lecturer in the Microfinance Diploma course by the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (IBSL). Mr. Imran has served as LMFPA Secretary from 2011 to 2013 and from 2015 to 2016. He has also served as LMFPA President during 2017/2018.

Mr. Eraj joined HNB Finance as a Microfinance Executive and rapidly grew through the ranks due to his performance, dedication and work ethic. He was promoted to Branch Manager, Regional Manager and then as Chief Manager based on his exceptional service rendered towards HNB Finance in the past 18 years. Subsequently he was promoted as Head of Business loans department where he leads a team of young professionals towards achieving organizational goals whilst helping thousands of customers grow their businesses as well. Mr. Eraj holds a Diploma in Microfinance (IBSL) and a Diploma in English from Wayamba University. An avid cricket fan, Mr. Eraj is also a member of the Sri Lanka Cricket Umpires Association and an active umpire of Sri Lankan Cricket.

Mr. Lokugeegana has more than 24 years of business and management sector experience, out of which 20 years in banking industry in senior management positions in the fields of Microfinance, Credit Management, Regional Business Management, Training, Business Banking, Risk Management, SME Development, Human Resource Management and Development and social capital and savings mobilization. His senior management experience in the banking industry at SDB Bank spans more than 20 years, with a total of more than 14 years in corporate management positions.

Mr. Lokugeegana holds a bachelor’s Degree in Business Management with second class Hons from University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka and a Master of Business Management from Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.

He is a Fellow Member of Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka ,a Member of Institute of Management of Sri Lanka ,a Chartered Member of Institute of Personnel Management of Sri Lanka ,a Member of Association of Accounts Technicians of Sri Lanka, Accredited Director –Security Exchange Commission & Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka , a Member of Association of Professional Bankers and a holder of a Diploma in Bank Integrated Risk Management and have Completed 3 stages of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.

Mrs. Dilani Malavige is the Head of Finance of ECLOF Lanka (Guarantee) Limited she has over 15 years of experience in Auditing, Accounting, Financial Management, Taxation, Investment management ect.. at various commercial entities. She holds the membership of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of SriLanka (CASL) and the membership of the Association of Accounting Technicians of SriLanka (AATSL) Also she act as a practicing Chartered Accountant.

Mr. Shanmugalingam Surenthiran is a Director Of Lanka Capital Future Investment (PVT) Ltd, since 2018.

Mr. Surenthiran counts more than 12 years of experience in financial service sector having commenced his career at Commercial Credit Finance PLC in 2012 as Executive to Micro Finance sector. He was promoted as SME North East Regional manager until 2014. He monitored & covered Branches in SME Administration, SME Marketing functions and Recovery functions in the Northern and Eastern Provinces and then he was promoted as RBL North East Regional In charge until 2016. He monitored & covered North East Provinces Branches RBL Administration, and North East Provinces Branches RBL Marketing functions and also Recovery functions.

Mr. Surenthiran holds a BA( Hons) Degree from University of Jaffna and holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) Degree from University of Cambodia

Mr. Upali Sumithre is the Founding Chairman of Janarukula, a non governmental community-based organization operating since 1991. He is a community development professional with over 35 years of working experience. His areas of expertise include social mobilization, livelihood development, housing, infrastructure development and Microfinance programmes for marginalized communities in rural, urban, estate and
fisheries sectors.

He has gained much practical knowledge and experience while working as Sri Lanka representative of Slum Dwellers International (SDI) and Asian Coalition for Housing Rights (ACHR). Additionally, he has coordinated and managed number of donor-funded community projects in the NGO and Government sectors.

Mr. Upali Sumithre is a Professional Counselor and holds an external degree from the University of Peradeniya and a Diploma in Administration and Management from Open University Sri Lanka and a Diploma in Governance, Democratization and Public Policy – School of Politics )CISS). He also followed certificated courses of Project Formulation and Skill Promotion – Sri Lanka Social Service Center, Community Action Planning and Training – UNHS. Community Development Process and Challenges – Asian Housing Rights Coalition (Japan).

Mr. J. Weerarathna is the President of the advisory board of WDF and one of the founders of the WDF. Mr. Weerarathna obtained his first degree from the University of Kalaniya (1967). Also he obtained his Master’s Degree in 2006 from University of Kelaniya. His first examination of laws passed in 1990 at the University of Colombo. Presently he is reading for the MPhil degree in the University of Kelaniya. He has completed many foreign training programs in planning, micro credit, entrepreneurship and management. He began his career in the government service in 1968. He retired in 2006 as Director planning under Sri Lanka Planning service.

He joined as a consultant to the project of South African water sector in Sri Lanka water ministry. He also joined the president’s office as a President coordinator from 2011- 2015. Now he is enrolled in WDF advisory duty presently. As a journalist he has published many articles in the newspapers and journals. One of his publications is called “Janashakthi Wiyaparaya Kaalina Awashyatawaki” and the other is “Daridrathawaya Pitu Dekeema Ha Samaja Sajeewekaranaya” with the prof: N.K Dangalla. Weerathne and these works touches on many social and economic issues.