Lanka Rating Agency appoints new board

• To strengthen governance and drive economic impact 

Lanka Rating Agency Ltd (LRA), Sri Lanka’s pioneering national credit rating institution, in line with its mission, has appointed two new directors to its board, bringing in distinguished leaders with strong backgrounds in finance, governance and business, along with international expertise from the South Asian region. 

The addition of Priyana Gunesekera marks an important step towards strengthening gender balance and diversity on the board.

Indrajith Fernando brings over four decades of leadership experience in business and the accountancy profession. He is a Past President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, has held key regional and international roles including with IFAC and SAFA and holds fellowships with ICASL, CIMA (UK) and CMA Sri Lanka, in addition to an MBA from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia.

Priyana Gunesekera, a Fellow Member of CA Sri Lanka and CIMA (UK), brings four decades of extensive expertise in financial management, audit, risk and advisory services. She has also held senior positions as Director at PwC Sri Lanka, where she advised leading corporates across diverse industries.

Niranjan Mendis is former Executive Director of the Delmege group, one of Sri Lanka’s leading conglomerates, with extensive experience in corporate leadership, strategy and multi sectoral business development. He is currently Acting Chairman/Director of LRA and actively involved in angel investing, venture capital and private equity investments in Sri Lanka and overseas.  

At the helm of the national rating agency is Dr. Kenneth De Zilwa, a well-known investment banker and respected economist, who continues as Chief Executive Officer. With decades of experience in financial markets, economic policy planning and capital market development, Dr. De Zilwa has positioned LRA as a trusted partner in advancing Sri Lanka’s financial resilience.

Speaking on the appointments Dr. De Zilwa said, “The strength of Sri Lanka’s economy begins with the strength of its companies. At LRA, our mission is to build that strength, helping businesses fortify their balance sheets, gain investor confidence and expand into new markets. With the depth of expertise our new board brings, we are equipped to take this journey forward and contribute directly to a stronger national balance sheet and a more competitive Sri Lankan economy.”

Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (PACRA) Chief Executive Officer Usman Haider, brings invaluable international experience in corporate finance, debt syndication, credit ratings, risk assessment and financial market development. His presence further strengthens LRA’s regional collaboration and alignment with global best practices.

LRA is proud to be affiliated with the PACRA, a leading credit rating agency in South Asia. This international affiliation strengthens its analytical capabilities, ensures adherence to global best practices and allows it to bring regional expertise and credibility to the Sri Lankan market.

LRA extends its heartfelt gratitude to former Chairman Anil Amarasuriya and former Director Nigel Bartholomeusz for their dedicated service and valuable guidance.

LRA has long played a vital role in strengthening the country’s national balance sheet by helping companies fortify their own financial foundations. 

Through transparent and independent credit ratings, LRA empowers Sri Lankan businesses to build resilience, attract investment and expand into regional and global markets — thereby contributing directly to the nation’s economic competitiveness.