First Capital Holdings appointment of a new Chief Transformation Officer marks a decisive step in strengthening the organisation’s digital and operational strategy, as the investment group positions itself for long-term growth in an increasingly technology-driven financial landscape.
First Capital Holdings appointment strengthens transformation leadership
First Capital Holdings PLC has announced the appointment of Lasith Nanayakkara as its Chief Transformation Officer, reinforcing the company’s strategic focus on digital innovation, operational excellence, and future-ready leadership. The move underscores the group’s commitment to building a strong technological foundation to support its next phase of growth.
First Capital Holdings, a subsidiary of JXG (Janashakthi Group), is widely recognised as a pioneering full-service investment institution in Sri Lanka. The latest leadership appointment reflects its intent to accelerate transformation initiatives amid rapid changes in financial services, customer expectations, and regulatory environments.
Lasith Nanayakkara brings more than 35 years of international experience to the role, with a career spanning key global markets including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, Cambodia, the United Kingdom, and Sri Lanka. His professional background covers a diverse range of industries, including banking and finance, insurance, retail, leisure and entertainment, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Over the course of his career, Nanayakkara has led large-scale digital transformation programmes for multi-million-dollar organisations, aligning business strategy with advanced technology capabilities. His expertise lies in translating complex organisational needs into scalable, resilient technology ecosystems that drive efficiency and long-term value.
He has designed and implemented enterprise-wide technology architectures involving microservices, application programming interfaces, complex communication networks, data centres, disaster recovery frameworks, and cloud-based environments. These initiatives have supported business continuity, enhanced system resilience, and enabled organisations to adapt quickly to evolving market demands.
Nanayakkara is also recognised for his deep experience in enterprise applications and mission-critical systems. He has overseen successful implementations of Oracle and PeopleSoft enterprise resource planning platforms, core banking systems, credit card solutions, eBusiness applications, and bespoke technology solutions tailored to complex operational requirements.
Beyond systems and platforms, his leadership has played a key role in building and mentoring high-performing technology and operations teams. By strengthening service delivery frameworks and fostering collaboration across business units, he has supported sustainable transformation across both the banking and hospitality sectors.
Commenting on the First Capital Holdings appointment, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dilshan Wirasekara said the organisation was pleased to welcome Nanayakkara into a pivotal leadership role. He noted that Nanayakkara’s extensive international exposure and proven track record in leading digital change make him well suited to guide the company’s technology strategy.
Wirasekara added that as First Capital continues to evolve, strong leadership in transformation will be essential to maintaining competitiveness. He emphasised that Nanayakkara’s role will be central to strengthening digital capabilities, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring the organisation remains agile in a rapidly changing financial services environment.
The appointment comes at a time when investment institutions are increasingly leveraging technology to enhance customer experience, optimise internal processes, and manage risk more effectively. Digital transformation has become a strategic imperative rather than a supporting function, requiring leadership that combines technical depth with business acumen.
For First Capital Holdings, the addition of a dedicated Chief Transformation Officer signals a long-term commitment to innovation and disciplined execution. By embedding transformation at the leadership level, the organisation aims to ensure that technology initiatives are closely aligned with strategic objectives and deliver measurable business outcomes.
Industry observers note that such appointments are becoming more common among financial institutions seeking to modernise legacy systems, adopt data-driven decision-making, and respond to emerging competitive pressures. In this context, the First Capital Holdings appointment reflects a broader trend toward integrated transformation leadership within the sector.
The company stated that Nanayakkara’s appointment reinforces its focus on investing in top-tier leadership to guide technological and strategic advancement. By strengthening its digital foundation, First Capital aims to support sustainable growth, improve operational resilience, and continue delivering value to clients and stakeholders.
As the organisation moves forward, the success of its transformation agenda is expected to play a critical role in shaping its competitive positioning. The appointment of an experienced transformation leader marks a significant milestone in that journey.