PEOPLE’S LEASING & FINANCE PLC
People’s Leasing & Finance PLC Al-Safa Makes History at Sri Lanka Islamic Banks and Finance Industry – SLIBFI Awards 2025 with 11 Wins
People’s Leasing & Finance PLC’s Islamic Finance Unit, PLC Al-Safa, has etched its name in history by securing an unprecedented 11 prestigious awards at the Sri Lanka Islamic Banking and Finance Industry (SLIBFI) Awards 2025. This landmark achievement sets a new benchmark for excellence among both banks and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) in the country.
Among the individual honors, Safra Firdhouse was awarded Silver for Islamic Banker/Employee of the Year, while Ahamed Fahmy Mohamed Faiz secured Gold for Branch Executive of the Year. Rising stars Salman Marzook and A H I Munthas were recognized with Bronze and Merit awards, respectively, for Rising Personality of the Year.
In the branch and institutional categories, PLC Al-Safa’s Puttalam Al-Safa Branch stood out, winning Gold for both Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year and Islamic Finance Branch of the Year. The unit also earned Silver for Islamic Finance Window/Unit of the Year, Islamic Finance NBFI of the Year, and Marketing Campaign of the Year, along with Bronze for Islamic Finance Entity of the Year.
In celebration of its 20th anniversary in 2025, PLC Al-Safa proudly reflects on two decades of leadership in Sri Lanka’s Islamic finance industry. As the first dedicated Islamic finance arm within the NBFI sector, PLC Al-Safa has demonstrated remarkable resilience, achieving a strong resurgence following a challenging period in the past decade. Strategic foresight, the unit has made a strong comeback from 2021/22 till now following the challenges. This resurgence is marked by a successful expansion drive that has significantly strengthened its position within the highly competitive Islamic finance sector. The achievements reflect a commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and a clear vision for sustainable growth.
With a robust network comprising seven dedicated Islamic finance branches and over 100 window-operation branches across the country, the institution continues to deliver innovative, Sharia-compliant financial solutions. Backed by a highly skilled and committed team, PLC Al-Safa remains steadfast in its mission to provide ethical, inclusive, and customer-focused financial services, reinforcing its position as a trusted leader in the industry.
“This sweeping recognition reflects the collective dedication and innovative spirit of the entire PLC Al-Safa family,” said Mr. Fazmil Mowlana, Chief Manager – Islamic Finance & Digital Products at People’s Leasing. “Our success at the SLIBFI Awards 2025 is a powerful affirmation of our mission to deliver customer-centric, Shariah-compliant financial solutions that are digitally advanced and inclusive.”
Mr. Sanjeewa Bandaranayake, Chief Executive Officer/General Manager of People’s Leasing, added, “We are profoundly honored by these accolades. They are a testament to the passion and hard work of our teams and reinforce our commitment to serving communities across Sri Lanka with integrity and excellence.”
With a robust Shariah Supervisory Board and a cutting-edge digital infrastructure spanning over 100 branches island-wide, PLC Al-Safa continues to redefine Islamic finance in Sri Lanka. Its triumph at the SLIBFI Awards 2025 not only celebrates past achievements but also signals a bold vision for the future, one driven by innovation, inclusivity, and a deep commitment to value-based financial empowerment.
Organized by UTO EduConsult, for the 14th consecutive year the SLIBFI Awards are the most prestigious recognition in the Islamic finance sector, judged by 3 tier independent panel of industry experts as well as KPMG.
This historic win is a testament to our team’s relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation. We are proud to lead the way in redefining Islamic finance in Sri Lanka.
