Business

Senkadagala Finance appoints N. Vasantha Kumar Chairman

Senkadagala Finance appoints N. Vasantha Kumar Chairman of its Board, effective 1 April 2026, reflecting the company’s focus on strengthening governance and strategic oversight. The firm also welcomed Priyanka Jayatilake and Sonal Balasuriya to its Board.


Senkadagala Finance appoints N. Vasantha Kumar Chairman with two new Board additions


Senkadagala Finance appoints N. Vasantha Kumar Chairman, bringing over 37 years of experience in financial markets and treasury operations to the forefront of the company’s strategic leadership. Kumar’s appointment underscores the firm’s commitment to robust governance and the continued expansion of its financial and investment capabilities.

Kumar holds a Master of Business Administration and a Diploma in Professional Treasury Management. He currently serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Ceylinco Holdings PLC and DFCC Bank PLC, alongside executive and directorial roles in Asset Trust Management (Pvt) Ltd., Wealth Lanka Management (Pvt) Ltd., and Safe Capital (Pvt) Ltd., where he chairs the board. His past leadership includes serving as Chief Executive Officer/General Manager of People’s Bank, Head of Treasury at ANZ Grindlays Bank, and President of both the Association of Primary Dealers and the Sri Lanka Forex Association.

Alongside Kumar, Senkadagala Finance also strengthened its Board through two additional appointments. Priyanka Jayatilake joins as an Independent Non-Executive Director, bringing extensive experience in audit, technology, and management consultancy. With a 40-year career primarily at KPMG Sri Lanka, including 33 years as a Partner and three years as Managing Partner, Jayatilake is recognized for her expertise in digital transformation, business process re-engineering, cybersecurity, governance, risk and controls (GRC), and ERP solutions.

Jayatilake’s tenure at KPMG saw her spearheading advisory, IT audit, and management consultancy engagements across Sri Lanka and the Maldives. She was pivotal in establishing the firm’s Technology practice and implementing international standards such as ISO 27001, CMMI, and software quality assurance protocols. Her leadership as Head of Advisory led to significant growth and regional recognition, serving also on KPMG’s MESAC and CASA boards, and chairing the Regional Technology Committee. Academically, Jayatilake holds a BSc (Hons) Degree in Mathematics and Computing from the University of Colombo and an MSc in Software Systems Technology from the University of Sheffield, UK, and is a Fellow Member of both Sri Lankan and British professional bodies in accountancy and IT.

Sonal Balasuriya joins as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director. Balasuriya’s professional experience spans architecture, real estate, and financial management. He earned a First Class BSc (Hons) Degree from the University of Westminster and a Master of Architecture with Distinction from the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. A SLIA-qualified Chartered Architect in Sri Lanka, he operates Studio SBA Ltd. as Principal Architect and manages commercial real estate assets through E.W. Balasuriya & Co. Ltd., gaining direct exposure to real estate finance, project development, asset optimisation, and rental management.

Balasuriya’s board experience includes serving as Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director of Senfin Asset Management Ltd. (SFAM) since March 2020, contributing to investment strategy, governance, and risk oversight. His appointment to Senkadagala Finance’s Board reflects a strategic integration of architectural and real estate insights into the company’s broader financial operations.

The appointments of Kumar, Jayatilake, and Balasuriya mark a deliberate move by Senkadagala Finance to strengthen its corporate governance framework, diversify Board expertise, and reinforce strategic decision-making across finance, technology, and asset management. Analysts suggest that these appointments may position the company to better navigate complex market conditions while capitalizing on emerging opportunities in Sri Lanka’s financial sector.

Senkadagala Finance appoints N. Vasantha Kumar Chairman at a time when financial institutions increasingly focus on governance, risk management, and strategic oversight. By bringing together leaders with complementary expertise in banking, audit, technology, and architecture, the company aims to maintain strong operational resilience, deliver investor confidence, and ensure long-term sustainability.

The Board additions also signal the company’s commitment to transparency and accountability, with each director contributing a depth of knowledge in their respective domains. Industry observers note that such appointments often enhance shareholder trust and may positively influence corporate performance in competitive markets.

Senkadagala Finance appoints N. Vasantha Kumar Chairman as part of a broader vision to integrate traditional banking expertise with modern governance practices, ensuring the company remains adaptive and well-positioned for growth. The inclusion of specialists in audit, technology, and real estate finance provides a comprehensive foundation for informed strategic decision-making and risk oversight.

Overall, these developments are expected to reinforce Senkadagala Finance’s standing in Sri Lanka’s financial landscape, reflecting a deliberate strategy to blend experience, technical knowledge, and governance expertise at the Board level.