As Siyapatha Finance celebrates 20 years, its Chairman, Sumith Cumaranatunga, and Managing Director, Ananda Seneviratne, share insights into the company’s purpose and strategy to uplift underserved communities and drive economic growth with technology and accessible, innovative financial solutions.
Siyapatha Finance began in 2005 as a specialised leasing company and wholly owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank, with a mandate to support underserved segments of the economy and drive financial inclusion. Over two decades, it expanded to 53 locations islandwide to provide accessible financial services. A key milestone came in 2015 when the company acquired a finance company license, enabling it to accept public deposits. Siyapatha Finance was also among the early movers in digital transformation, becoming the first non-bank financial institution in Sri Lanka to implement the Finacle Core Banking System in 2017.
“Our approach combines technology with financial literacy and trust-building, especially in underserved communities,” explained Cumaranatunga. “This strategy has worked for us. Our deposit base grew from Rs13 billion pre-COVID to Rs32 billion by end-2024, a 146% increase. And, despite recent economic challenges, we closed 2024 with a Rs60 billion balance sheet and Rs1.2 billion post-tax profit, underscoring our resilience and commitment to inclusive, sustainable growth”.
Excerpts of the interview follow:
How has Siyapatha contributed to economic participation, especially among underserved or small-scale borrowers?
Cumaranatunga: At Siyapatha Finance, we’ve seen our role as more than just a financial services provider. We’ve positioned ourselves as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, focusing on Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs), long underserved by traditional banks. We’ve aimed to make access to finance frictionless and straightforward for small-scale entrepreneurs.
We recognised early that many MSMEs hesitate to approach banks, often due to fear of rejection, lack of documentation, or limited financial literacy. This pushes many toward informal lenders and high-interest debt cycles. We’ve worked to provide a transparent, approachable alternative built on trust. Credit, for us, is just one piece of the puzzle. Financial literacy has been central to our mission. Many of our clients are first-time borrowers, and we see it as our duty to guide them in managing money, using credit wisely, and building lasting relationships with the formal financial system.
How do you distinguish the company in a competitive market?
Seneviratne: We differentiate ourselves through innovation, service, and a deep understanding of our customers. From the beginning of the customer journey to the end, we’ve focused on embedding innovation into every stage, making the experience more seamless and better aligned with individual financial needs.
What makes the real difference, though, is our flexibility and our approach to service. We’ve built a team that is skilled and highly attuned to customer expectations. That people-first mindset drives how we engage with clients and ensures we offer relevant and responsive support. This balance between continuous innovation and a strong service culture in a crowded market enables us to stand out.
How has Siyapatha approached scaling its operations and offerings to meet customers’ needs?
Seneviratne: Diversification has been central to our growth. We’ve consistently introduced new lending products designed to reflect the evolving needs of our customer base, which spans a wide range of sectors and communities across Sri Lanka.
To improve accessibility, we’ve expanded our presence across the country. We’ve built a broad network of customer touchpoints, making it easier for people to engage with us wherever they are for different financial needs, from basic lending to more tailored solutions. At the core of our expansion strategy is financial inclusion. We want our services to be both reachable and affordable, so individuals and businesses, regardless of location or income level, can become part of the formal financial system. That principle continues to guide how we scale and shape our offerings.
How is Siyapatha Finance supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and financial inclusion efforts?
Seneviratne: Our specialised lending products target high-potential industries like tourism, transportation, and hospitality, which are critical for generating foreign exchange and employment. At the same time, we continue to strengthen support for SMEs, the backbone of grassroots economic activity, by offering working capital, leasing, and loan facilities that address their practical financing needs. We also empower women entrepreneurs with the capital and tools to grow their businesses, contributing to broader development goals. Our financial literacy programmes in rural areas promote informed decision-making and responsible financial behaviour.
Operationally, we’ve enhanced our compliance systems in line with national regulations and global standards, particularly in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, reinforcing our commitment to responsible, inclusive growth.
What are the company’s long-term priorities as it looks ahead to the next growth phase?
Cumaranatunga: Our long-term focus is transforming Siyapatha Finance through automation and digitalisation. We’re integrating AI and intelligent systems to streamline the customer journey, from onboarding and credit evaluation to disbursement, payments, and after-sales service, to create a more efficient, seamless experience.
We’re expanding our market reach by opening branches in high-potential areas and enhancing digital channels to serve targeted customer segments better. At the same time, we’re diversifying our product portfolio to deliver more tailored financial solutions that reflect the specific needs of different customer groups.
Driving financial inclusion remains a key priority. We aim to contribute to broader economic development and macroeconomic growth by supporting domestic industries and household entrepreneurs. Sustainability is also central to our strategy. We’re embedding ESG practices into our operations and exploring green marketing initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint and align with national net-zero goals.
Ultimately, we aim to position Siyapatha Finance as a well-managed, compliant, technology-led financial institution that is profitable, customer-centric, and trusted by all stakeholders.