People’s Leasing & Finance Annual Report Crowned Best in Sri Lanka at the International ARC Awards, Earning Grand and Multiple Gold Awards.

People’s Leasing & Finance PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier non-banking financial institution, has once again achieved international acclaim for its Annual Report at the ARC Awards, hosted by Mercomm Inc., USA. In a proud victory for the company and the country, People’s Leasing & Finance’s Annual Report for 2023/24 – titled “Great Partnerships” – secured multiple prestigious honours on the global stage. In a creative and engaging narrative, “Great Partnerships” draws parallels between the company’s performance and the legendary partnership of its brand ambassadors, cricketing stars Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva. It also uses the metaphor of a classic car to illustrate how individual business operations – like the parts of a car – reveal the true value of the company as a unified entity.

Accordingly, in the “Financial Services: General Category”, the report earned five Gold Awards, making it the highest awarded company from Sri Lanka. The Gold Awards were presented for Financial Data, Chairman’s/President’s Letter, Interior Design, Non-Traditional Annual Report, and Written Text, respectively. Additionally, the report received a Silver Award for Infographics and a Bronze Award for Printing & Production.

Furthermore, in a historic first for the company, People’s Leasing & Finance received two Grand Awards at this year’s ARC Awards, and was the only Sri Lankan company to do so. These included the highly coveted Grand Awards for “Best of Sri Lanka” and “Best of Category – Financial Data”. These achievements are significant for People’s Leasing & Finance as Grand Awards are presented only to selected reports from the top-winning annual reports across all categories, regardless of industry, making them highly coveted.

Discussing the significance of these accolades, Pradeep Amirthanayagam – Chairman of People’s Leasing & Finance said, “Winning these prestigious awards is indeed a proud and meaningful achievement for us. To be recognised once again as the best in Sri Lanka, after seven years, and to be the only Sri Lankan company, across multiple sectors, to secure two Grand Awards at the ARC Awards this year, is a true reflection of our team’s dedication to maintaining the highest reporting standards. At People’s Leasing & Finance, we remain committed to consistently providing transparency and clarity, ensuring that our stakeholders have access to comprehensive, accurate information at all times.”

The ARC Awards, often referred to as the “Academy Awards of Annual Reports”, serves as a global benchmark for excellence in financial reporting, with over 1,550 entries from 32 countries competing this year. These achievements thus reflect People’s Leasing & Finance’s superior capabilities in financial and corporate reporting, and underscore its commitment to delivering transparency and innovation, setting a new standard for integrated reporting within the financial services industry.

Sanjeewa Bandaranayake – Chief Executive Officer/General Manager of People’s Leasing & Finance added, “These awards serve as a clear endorsement of the tireless effort we put into crafting our Annual Reports. Our focus has always been on producing reports that not only meet but exceed international standards, and this year’s recognition at the ARC Awards reflects that. While appreciating the valued recognition we have received, we firmly resolve to continue pushing the boundaries of excellence in integrated reporting.”

Omal Sumanasiri  – Chief Financial Officer of People’s Leasing & Finance said, “We are immensely proud of these recognitions. This is a landmark achievement for us and clearly reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team. I would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to Emagewise (Pvt) Ltd for their invaluable support in crafting such an outstanding Annual Report. Their commitment to excellence in design and execution has truly helped us bring our vision to life.”

Participants at the ARC awards include corporations, small businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organisations from across the globe. Meanwhile, judging is independent, and based on creativity, clarity, effectiveness, and innovation, ensuring a fair assessment regardless of applicants’ budgets and size.

People’s Leasing & Finance’s success at the ARC Awards is part of a consistent track record of excellence. The company has continuously secured multiple awards previously at the ARC Awards for its annual reports. Its 2022/23 report, titled “Multi-Dimensional”, earned four awards, including three Gold Awards and a Grand Award for Infographics. Beyond the ARC Awards, the company’s annual reports have also been recognised on several other platforms, including the Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards organised by the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka, the TAGS Awards conducted by CA Sri Lanka and the SAFA Awards.