CSSL names PLC’s Prabath Gunasena CIO of the Year

Prabath Gunasena

People’s Leasing & Finance PLC announced recently that its Group Chief Information Officer Prabath Gunasena has been named Chief Information Officer of the Year by the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL). 

This prestigious honour recognises his visionary leadership and significant contributions to advancing ICT in Sri Lanka, particularly through innovative digital transformation initiatives within People’s Leasing & Finance. The award recognises his exceptional ability to align the company’s tech-driven approach with its broader strategic goals, driving innovation and delivering impactful results.

With a career spanning over 25 years, Gunasena has played a leading role in driving modernisation and operational excellence across various business verticals, including financial services, leasing, insurance, and microfinance. His strategic technology leadership has positioned People’s Leasing & Finance as a frontrunner in fintech innovation. This combination of vision, competency and strategic prowess have earned the company numerous accolades in the tech space. 

Beyond delivering business results, Gunasena’s contributions have also fostered a digital-first culture at People’s Leasing & Finance, streamlining processes and driving customer-centric solutions that integrate advanced technology to meet practical needs. He spearheaded the development of innovative solutions, including award-winning Fintech products, mobile applications, and an automated credit assessment system, significantly streamlining business processes and reinforcing the company’s market position. His contributions have earned prestigious accolades such as the Gold Winner title at the Asia Pacific ICT Awards (APICTA), the National Best Quality Software Awards (NBQSA), and the TECHNOVATION Awards, highlighting their excellence and impact.

Under his leadership, the company’s groundbreaking digital app solution, “PLC TOUCH,” was recognised as the Best Digital Process Enabler of the Year at NBQSA 2023. This one-stop app revolutionised customer service and business operations, delivering substantial cost efficiencies and environmental benefits while embodying the company’s commitment to customer centricity and sustainability. Through his visionary leadership, Prabath has not only modernised the financial industry but also saved millions for the nation.

Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Gunasena said: “I am honoured to receive this award from CSSL. It is a reflection of our collective efforts as a team and the unwavering support we receive from our corporate and senior management at People’s Leasing and Finance. We remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and delivering solutions that create lasting value for our stakeholders. I look forward to continuing this journey and embracing new challenges that drive progress and impact.”

People’s Leasing and Finance CEO Sanjeewa Bandaranayake said: “Prabath’s recognition as CIO of the Year is a testament to his relentless dedication to innovation and excellence. His leadership has brought immense pride to the entire organisation, and his contributions continue to inspire our journey towards a digitally empowered future. We are confident that his passion for skilfully leveraging technology will drive greater successes for People’s Leasing and Finance, together with enhanced ease and access to financial services for the communities we serve.”

Founded in 1976, the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) is the apex national body for ICT professionals, and is a member of global collectives like the South East Asian Regional Computer Federation (SEARCC) and the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP). The CSSL National ICT Awards, which celebrate excellence and innovation in the ICT sector, introduced the CIO Awards as part of its “CIO Hall of Fame”. This initiative recognises exceptional leaders who drive digital transformation within their organisations. The selection process follows the CSSL CIO Model, assessing candidates based on 12 key criteria, including strategic IT acumen, leadership qualities, and a strong business mindset, amongst others.

Guided by leaders like Prabath, who embody the spirit of progress and excellence, People’s Leasing & Finance continues to align its operations with global best practices and embrace the digital transformation. Leveraging this strategy, People’s Leasing and Finance is well-positioned to foster growth and prosperity for all Sri Lankans as one of the Island’s leading providers of non-baking financial services.