Laksanda Gunawardena joins Mercantile Investments as Chief Operating Officer

Mercantile Investments and Finance PLC (MI) has announced the appointment of Laksanda Gunawardena as its Chief Operating Officer. 

With a career spanning over 29 years in the finance sector, Laksanda Gunawardena brings a wealth of experience in credit, marketing, and operations. His extensive background includes roles in the leasing industry in companies such as Lanka ORIX Leasing Company (LOLC), Mercantile Leasing, and People’s Leasing and Finance PLC (PLC).

Before joining Mercantile Investments, Gunawardena served as the Senior Deputy General Manager at People’s Leasing and Finance PLC, overseeing the credit and marketing unit and purview units relating to Gold loan, Islamic finance, Fixed Deposits/Savings and Margin Trading. His previous positions include Deputy General Manager roles in marketing, operations, and branch operations. He has also served as General Manager at People’s Micro-Commerce (PML). He has served as a Director PML and nominee Director to the Lankan Alliance Finance Limited a Bangladeshi subsidiary of People’s Leasing and Finance PLC. 

Gunawardena holds a MA Business Administration degree from the University of Wales UK, a MSC Strategic Marketing degree from Asia e University Malaysia, and a MA Business Administration degree from American City University. Wesley College served as his alma mater for his primary and secondary education.

He is a member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), Sri Lanka Institute of Credit Management (SLICM), Sri Lanka Institute of Directors, and The Institute of Chartered Professional Managers (CPM) Sri Lanka. Additionally, he is a Certified Professional Marketer (ASIA) of the Asia Marketing Federation (AMF) and a Certified Management Accountant of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (CMA Australia). Gunawardena has also completed a Diploma in Credit Management from the Sri Lanka Institute of Credit Management (SLICM).

Having undergone valuable training programs, including sessions at the Frankfurt Business School in Germany (2017), Corporate Management Training – Japan (2014), Senior Management Scholarship Program – JASTECA 2011 and Management Training Program – NUS Singapore (2007), Gunawardena brings a diverse skill set to his new role. His leadership and expertise will contribute to Mercantile Investments’ ongoing business growth and transformation.