Siyapatha Finance PLC, a prominent licensed finance company and the largest fully-owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank PLC, has announced a significant leadership transition. Mr. Mathisha Hewavitharana, currently serving as Chief Executive Officer (Designate), will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2026. He will succeed Mr. Ananda Seneviratne, an industry veteran, concluding a distinguished seven-year tenure as Managing Director.
This appointment underscores Siyapatha’s dedication to nurturing internal talent. Mr. Hewavitharana, a pioneering team member, began his journey with the company in 2005 as a Junior Marketing Executive. Over two decades, he advanced through various roles, becoming Chief Marketing Officer in 2021 and Chief Strategy Officer in 2025.
A Legacy of Growth
Under Mr. Ananda Seneviratne’s leadership, Siyapatha Finance emerged as a formidable entity in the Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFI) sector. His tenure saw the company:
- Expand to a 61-branch network across the island.
- Grow its asset base beyond LKR 75 Billion.
- Secure an A (lka) Stable rating from Fitch Ratings.
- Consistently rank among the top ten Finance Companies in Sri Lanka.
The New Era of Leadership
Mr. Hewavitharana brings a strong combination of academic credentials and extensive institutional knowledge to his new role. A graduate of the University of Colombo, he holds both a Bachelor’s degree and an MBA. His qualifications include MCIM (UK), AIB, and ACMA/CGMA (UK), along with Executive Leadership training from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, USA.
“We are delighted to appoint Mathisha to the top job,” said Mr. Sumith Cumaranatunga, Chairman of Siyapatha Finance PLC. “Mathisha is undeniably one of the most brilliant minds of his generation. His appointment reflects our robust leadership development process; he has undergone three years of intensive mentoring by the Board. We are confident he will build upon the strong foundation of transparency, governance, and profitability laid by his predecessor.”
“Today, Siyapatha is recognized as one of the well-managed, low-risk, highly compliant, and most profitable Non-Banking Finance Institutions. The Board and I are confident that the company will continue to grow on that strong foundation under Mathisha’s leadership,” he further added.
Outgoing Managing Director, Mr. Ananda Seneviratne, expressed confidence in the transition: “Mathisha was a key pillar of my Management Team. He demonstrated exceptional resilience during national-level economic hardships and possesses the business acumen required to lead in a volatile market. I wish him every success.”
Known for his empathetic and humble leadership style, Mr. Hewavitharana is recognized across the industry for fostering a culture of self-reliant leadership. His vision for Siyapatha Finance involves leveraging the company’s strong financial health to drive further innovation and community-centric growth.
