Chaaminda Kumarasiri Wins CA Business Leader of the Year Award 2026

Chaaminda Kumarasiri has won the prestigious CA Business Leader of the Year Award 2026 at the recently held CA Sri Lanka National Conference, recognising his transformational leadership, professional achievements and contribution to entrepreneurship and society.

Presented by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka), the award honours outstanding business leadership based on a comprehensive assessment of vision, industry experience, organisational performance, community engagement and contributions to the accounting profession.

Kumarasiri’s achievement marks a significant milestone in a career spanning more than 25 years across audit, banking, healthcare, consulting and corporate governance.

From Rural Beginnings to Professional Excellence

Kumarasiri’s journey began in an ordinary family in a rural village in the Badulla District. He received his education at Walhaputhenna Ananda Central College, where his academic excellence laid the foundation for a distinguished professional career.

At the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination, he ranked first in the Badulla District and fourth island-wide in the Commerce stream.

He subsequently graduated with First-Class Honours in Accountancy from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, earning the Gold Medal as the most outstanding student in his degree programme. He further strengthened his academic credentials by completing an MBA in Finance at the University of Colombo, where he received two Gold Medals.

Kumarasiri is a Fellow of CA Sri Lanka, ACCA-UK, CMA Sri Lanka and AAT Sri Lanka, reflecting his commitment to professional development and excellence.

A Career Spanning Leading Institutions

Over more than two decades, Kumarasiri has held senior leadership positions at prominent organisations, including Ernst & Young in Sri Lanka and New York, HSBC, Phoenix Ogilvy, Lanka Hospitals and the Bank of Ceylon.

His experience across multiple industries has provided him with a broad understanding of business strategy, financial management, governance and organisational development.

These experiences have helped shape his leadership approach, combining technical expertise with a focus on long-term value creation and sustainable business growth.

Choosing Entrepreneurship as a Purpose

In 2016, Kumarasiri made a significant career decision, stepping away from a lucrative corporate career to establish his own consulting practice.

The move was driven by a personal conviction that supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and nurturing entrepreneurship offered a meaningful way to give back to the country that had provided him with a free education.

Rather than viewing professional success solely through the lens of corporate advancement, he chose to apply his knowledge and experience to helping businesses grow, strengthen their operations and create employment opportunities.

His work reflects a broader commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, supporting livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities.

Leadership Beyond the Boardroom

The CA Business Leader of the Year Award recognises not only professional accomplishments but also the wider impact of leadership on organisations, industries and communities.

For Kumarasiri, the recognition highlights a journey defined by academic distinction, extensive corporate experience and a decision to channel professional expertise towards developing Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial landscape.

His achievement serves as an example of how education, determination and a commitment to giving back can shape a career with impact beyond individual success.