Manjula Bandara
81, Galaha Road, Peradeniya
Summary
ACCA Fellow with 20+ years of diverse finance experience across Sri Lanka, the UK, and Lao PDR. Expertise in strategic financial management and governance within complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Led UNDP finance operations, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency in development programs. Proven track record in FMCG sector, enhancing finance strategies to drive performance and support growth.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
year of post-secondary education
Work History
Finance and Administration Manager
GVR Lanka (Pvt) Ltd
Kandy
03.2025 - Current
- Manage finance and administration for this luxury apartment development and marketing company.
- Liaise with tax authorities, banks, and regulatory bodies for compliance audits.
- Conduct due diligence to ensure adherence to AMI and Condominium Management Authority standards.
- Advise management on investment opportunities in the hotel and tourism sectors.
Head of Finance
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
03.2018 - 02.2025
- Directed finance strategy and operations for two UNDP country offices, managing diverse projects.
- Advised senior management team while implementing effective control systems with regular risk assessments
- Oversaw inter-agency financial coordination, ensuring adherence to IPSAS and UNDP regulations.
- Conducted financial planning, budgeting, risk management, and ERP integration in complex environments.
- Managed planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting of core and donor-funded budgets.
- Supervised implementation of Quantum - Oracle Fusion Cloud for budget preparation.
- Coordinated audits to ensure compliance and manage financial statement submissions.
- Refined operational procedures via introduction of SOPs that adhere to organizational guidelines, equipping staff with financial management training
Head of Finance / Financial Controller
Bio Foods Group
01.2015 - 02.2018
- Reported directly to CEO and Board, accountable for finance, FP&A, ERP implementation, and compliance.
- Managed end-to-end finance operations including statutory reporting, cash flow, and capital structure.
- Led companywide accounts finalization and statutory reporting, consolidating foreign subsidiaries and implementing IFRS standards.
- Spearheaded design and rollout of in-house ERP system with IT, enhancing financial visibility and process efficiency.
- Partnered with marketing and sales teams on pricing strategies, investment decisions, and performance targets.
- Oversaw financial management of grant-funded projects from Fairtrade, Oxfam Australia, ADB, and World Bank.
- Monitored capex projects across nine manufacturing sites to ensure adherence to budget and performance metrics.
- Secured €7.5 million equity investment from GLS Bank while legally amalgamating five group companies to reduce overhead costs.
Chief Internal Auditor
Bio Foods Group
08.2011 - 12.2014
- Led the group's internal audit and risk management program across 5 companies and 8 manufacturing plants, employing over 1,000 staff (FMCG sector).
- Developed and executed risk-based audit plans and internal control reviews across operations, finance, HR, procurement, and production.
- Provided audit findings and strategic recommendations directly to the Board and senior management.
- Managed a team of 5 auditors and conducted special investigations, fraud checks, and compliance audits.
- Introduced and embedded internal controls across critical processes, significantly reducing operational risk.
Finance Analyst - Management Accountant
United Biscuits (UK) Ltd
10.2006 - 05.2010
- Supported finance operations at a high-volume production site, generating over £100 million in annual revenue.
- Prepared weekly and monthly management accounts, variance analysis, and cost performance dashboards under tight reporting deadlines.
- Managed factory risk and compliance reporting collaborations with other cross-functional teams.
- Led finance meetings with operational managers, providing insights on costs, trends, and KPIs.
- Supported trade term negotiations and budgeting cycles through data modeling and forecasts.
- Conducted post-implementation CAPEX audits, fixed asset controls, and annual inventory verification.
- Participated in site-level Lean, 5S, and outsourcing initiatives by delivering cost-benefit analyses and financial support.
- Delivered significant cost savings by identifying efficiency improvements in packaging, flavor usage, and waste reduction.
- The Company was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
Trainee Accountant
Maidstones Chartered Accountants
03.2006 - 06.2006
- This role offered me a better exposure into the UK's working environment.
- Preparation statutory accounts within stringent time constraint for SMEs with a turnover ranging between £50,000 to £1mn.
- Preparation of corporation and income tax computations.
- Responsible for the preparation of VAT returns and bookkeeping for clients.
- Performed assurance assignments.
- Carried out general administration work such as coordinating clients' meetings etc.
Accountant
Anzari & Co. Chartered Accountants
08.2002 - 12.2005
- Preparation of statutory and management accounts for sole traders, partnerships, limited liability companies and NGOs.
- Preparation of corporation and income tax computations.
- Development of audit strategies for new clients.
- Lead the State Banks (branch) audit team and various external & internal audits assignments.
- Supervision and review of the non-audit assignments such as accounts, tax returns.
Assistant Accountant/Audit Executive
Abans group of companies
08.2000 - 07.2002
- Prepared daily, weekly, and monthly management accounts as assistant accountant.
- Reviewed operations of inventory control, imports, costing, wharf, and accounts departments to ensure adherence to internal controls.
- Conducted regular physical verification of cash, inventory, and fixed assets.
- Performed branch audits with a focus on hire purchase agreements.
- Analyzed Management Information System for accuracy and efficiency improvements.
- Documented existing systems and process maps as part of ERP implementation project team.
Audit Senior/Audit trainee
Anzari & Co. Chartered Accountants
01.1997 - 07.2000
Education
Analyst Level 2 - CTA
Chartered Institute of Taxation Sri Lanka
04.2025 - 01.2026
CPFA -
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy
UK03-2025
FCCA -
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
UK08-2015
CAT -
Certified Accounting Technician
UK02-2006
MAAT -
AAT
Sri Lanka12-1997
Skills
- FMCG manufacturing processes
- Cost management and accounting
- Risk management strategies
- Stakeholder engagement
- Internal control systems
- Continuous learning mindset
- Financial analysis
- Budget management
- IFRS and IPSAS compliance
- Contract and procurement management
- ERP system support
- Oracle and SAP proficiency
- Business continuity planning
- Cross-border operations
Hobbies and Interests
Served as Chair of the United Nations Financial Working Group in Sri Lanka, and as Honorary Treasurer of Holy Trinity Church, Ashby de la Zouch, United Kingdom
Training
Oracle Fusion Cloud (ERP) Training, Bangkok, 01/01/23 & 09/01/23
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 01/09/72
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: Sri Lankan
- Marital Status: Married
System Skills
- Oracle Fusion Cloud
- QuickBooks
- SAP (FICO & BW)
- Atlas
- Lotus Notes
- MS Excel
- MS Word
- Power BI
- AI platforms
Non Related Referees
- Prof. Kapila Goonasekara, former CEO of Biofoods and former Vice Chancellor of University of Peradeniya. E-mail: kapila2911@gmail.com, mobile: 0718306878 , 0777444008
- Ms. Surangi Weerakoon, Financial Consultant at World Bank, E-mail: surangiweerakoon@gmail.com, mobile: 0773450852
- Ms. Lakmini Tennakoon, Head of HR at UNDP Sri Lanka, E-mail: Lakmini.tennakoon@undp.org, mobile: 0773067347
Timeline
Analyst Level 2 - CTA
Chartered Institute of Taxation Sri Lanka
04.2025 - 01.2026
Finance and Administration Manager
GVR Lanka (Pvt) Ltd
03.2025 - Current
Head of Finance
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
03.2018 - 02.2025
Head of Finance / Financial Controller
Bio Foods Group
01.2015 - 02.2018
Chief Internal Auditor
Bio Foods Group
08.2011 - 12.2014
Finance Analyst - Management Accountant
United Biscuits (UK) Ltd
10.2006 - 05.2010
Trainee Accountant
Maidstones Chartered Accountants
03.2006 - 06.2006
Accountant
Anzari & Co. Chartered Accountants
08.2002 - 12.2005
Assistant Accountant/Audit Executive
Abans group of companies
08.2000 - 07.2002
Audit Senior/Audit trainee
Anzari & Co. Chartered Accountants
01.1997 - 07.2000
CPFA -
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy
FCCA -
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
CAT -
Certified Accounting Technician
MAAT -
AAT