Watching and Playing Cricket
Virantha Perera
Head Of IT
Colombo,Western
Summary
an insightful information technology manager with 18 years of IT leadership experience, including oversight of infrastructure, application support, and security services. Dedicated to customer satisfaction with focused delivery of technical solutions. a proven leader in directing operations, maintenance, and support of complex systems. Develops creative business solutions, leveraging diverse methodologies and delivering engineering solutions for leading organizations. Highly adept in request for proposal development, technology needs assessments, and staff training. Successful at optimizing security standards, improving planning processes, and managing system implementation. Knowledgeable about disaster recovery planning, roadmapping, and team development.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Information Technology
Frankie Company LTD
Apia, Samoa
06.2024 - Current
- Collaborated with stakeholders to define business requirements for new technology implementations.
- Managed vendor relationships, negotiating contracts for optimal pricing and service levels.
- Championed adoption of emerging technologies, evaluating potential benefits and ROI for the organization.
- Enhanced IT infrastructure by implementing upgraded hardware and software solutions.
- Mentored junior IT staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
- Conducted regular audits of IT systems to identify areas requiring optimization or additional security measures.
- Streamlined internal communication by introducing collaboration tools for cross-functional teams.
- Led digital transformation initiatives, driving innovation and operational excellence across the organization.
- Drove improvements in customer satisfaction ratings through enhanced web portals and user-friendly interfaces.
- Developed disaster recovery plans, minimizing downtime during critical incidents.
- Aligned IT strategy with overall business objectives, ensuring technology investments supported growth plans.
- Managed IT budget effectively, prioritizing investments to align with strategic goals.
- Optimized network performance with proactive monitoring and system maintenance tasks.
- Implemented cloud-based solutions, resulting in increased efficiency and cost savings.
- Managed a cross-functional team overseeing network
infrastructure and systems resilience across 14 retail sites, supporting continuous business operations. - Orchestrating digital transformation efforts across key departments to enable smarter, faster, and more agile operations.
- Managed end-to-end implementation and support of enterprise hardware and software solutions, enhancing system efficiency and reducing operational disruptions.
- Implemented cybersecurity measures and IT policies to safeguard systems from threats and unauthorized access.
- Managed deployment of Sage300 Acc Pac 2024 software, ensuring smooth integration with existing systems and hardware.
- Coordinated with vendors for software licensing, hardware procurement, and vendor relationship management to meet
business needs.
Head of Information Technology
Berendina Group Private Limited
Colombo
06.2023 - 06.2024
- Oversaw IT department operations and training.
- I am a team player with hands-on experience in latest technologies like Azure, Azure DevOps, Office 365
- I was the team leader for the new Digitalization Project for the Berendina Group of companies.
- Introduced Cost Effective practices for the IT department
- Managed network and system performance, conducting troubleshooting, security patching, and maintenance.
- Interacted and negotiated with vendors, outsourcers, and contractors to secure products and services.
- Updated customers and senior leaders on progress and roadblocks.
- Created and terminated user's accounts from start to finish in Office 365 applications.
- Assisted in the development of long-term strategies to grow the department and its resources.
- Communicated with the executive team and CEO to maximize development efficiencies and resolve technology issues.
- I conferred with executives to advise and plan for short-term and long-term IT system upgrade needs.
- Collaborated with other departments to help meet IT needs and properly integrate and secure systems.
- Developed and implemented measures and procedures to protect IT systems from cyber threats and data breaches.
- Led technology selection and rollout, focusing on organizational planning and supplier service-level agreements.
- Understood key product management roadmap objectives and requirements to develop product technology strategy.
- Coordinated technical training and personal development classes for staff members.
- Built, repaired and installed computer-related hardware based on deployment procedures.
- Coordinated IT operations activities to deliver smooth flow of daily business needs.
Head of Systems Department
Programus LTD
Colombo
01.2018 - 06.2022
- Management of Sri Lankan and United Kingdom Development and research Center Network and Systems (Backup, Remote, Support)
- Implementation of network architectures and support center management for Clients in United Kingdom, Dubai, Malaysia, Ireland, Germany, Australia etc
- Evaluated performance continuously to identify areas in need of improvement and implement strategies to keep team on-track.
- Led regular meetings with team leaders and front-line staff to convey important operational information and new targets.
- Maintained organized inventory with accurate records through proper ordering, tracking and auditing procedures.
- Enforced organizational rules and incorporated policy changes into departments' day-to-day activities.
- Implemented strong control and evaluation procedures to maximize departments' work quality.
- Improved department operations by capturing numerous opportunities to streamline processes and reduce waste.
- Maximized team performance by hiring, training and disciplining staff to consistently exceed expectations.
- Managed efficient workflows by creating effective schedules and delegating work based on personnel strengths and knowledge.
- Worked actively with management team to create daily and weekly sales plans based on weekly sales trends.
- Motivated associates to consistently deliver effective selling behaviors through coaching and recognition.
- Communicated with managers of other departments to maintain transparency.
- Kept employee workloads fair and balanced to achieve objectives while maintaining high job satisfaction.
- Prepared annual budgets with controls to prevent overages.
- Created and enforced department policies, procedures, and standards to establish productivity and quality.
- Prepared detailed reports for management to clarify existing trends, review sales and inventory data, and support shrink minimization and safety awareness.
- Implemented process improvement to shape organizational culture, optimize procedures for higher efficiency, and help the company evolve and grow.
- Consistently met my short and long-term targets
- Handled customer complaints with empathy and composure
- Proactively participated in meetings and helped create new practices
- Direct communication with international clients and support
- Processed a range of documentation and entered information into databases
- Trained, coached, and supervised new staff members
- Pitched ideas on how to improve performance and efficiency
- Helped management to identify workflow issues and find solutions
- Supervised and delegated tasks to a team of 4 people
- Managing and preparing IT budget annually, half yearly and quarterly
- Restructured and improved hosted Server Environments and implemented Azure VM and Data Backup Vault
- cost-effective server infrastructure solutions and cost savings as per the company's provided targets.
IT Systems Manager
Programus LTD
Colombo
01.2013 - 01.2018
- Responsible to Supervise System Administrator and giving him daily and monthly Task to Complete
- Responsible to Manage All Hosted Servers in German
- Responsible for managing T-Mobile and Vodafone VPNs
- Implemented Emails Alert triggers for SQL DB`s
- Take control of all the systems remotely to minimize the problem resolving time
- Implemented LTE internet connection in the company and cut down the internet cost
- Change company network infrastructure by implementing new Firewalls with User Productive reports enabled
- Processed a range of documentation and entered information into databases
- Proactively participated in meetings and helped create new practices
- FortiGate and Pfsense Firewall Configuration
- SQL Database Management, SQL Log Shipping Configuration and management, SQL Replication Configuration and management
- Cisco IP SEC VPN Configurations
- IIS advance and apache web server management
- Dedicated Hosted server management with load balancing IP with SSL configuration over API
- Web Hosting, SSL, and Managing, Domain Hosting
- Office 365 full portal management Office365 email server management
- IPSEC VPN server configuration and management
- McAfee Antivirus endpoint with application control configurations
- MAC OS, MAC OS X server configuration and management
- Server Vulnerability management
- Advance server Scan`s with Snort, Nmap, zenmap GUI
Senior Systems and Network Engineer
Programus LTD
Colombo
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Establish the networking environment by designing system configuration, directing system installation and defining, documenting and enforcing system standards
- Design and implement new solutions and improve resilience of the current environment
- Maximize network performance by monitoring performance, troubleshooting network problems and outages, scheduling upgrades and collaborating with network architects on network optimization
- Undertake data network fault investigations in local and wide area environments using information from multiple sources
- Secure network systems by establishing and enforcing policies, and defining and monitoring access
- Support and administer firewall environments in line with IT security policy
- Report network operational status by gathering and prioritizing information and managing projects
- Upgrade data network equipment to the latest stable firmware releases
- Configure routing and switching equipment, hosted IP voice services and firewalls
- Provide remote support to on-site engineers and end users/customers during installation
- Provide remote troubleshooting and fault finding if issues occur upon initial installation
- Undertake capacity management and audit of IP addressing and hosted devices within data centers
- Liaise with project management teams, third-line engineers and service desk engineers on a regular basis
- Languages
- English
- Intermediate
- Sinhala
- Advanced
Network and Systems Administrator
PC House PLC
Colombo
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Managed 28 Branches All island, Head Office and 12 Shops in Unity Plaza Network
- Managed Company yearly IT budget
- I have Achieved Microsoft Gold Partnership Competency
- Managed Sri Lankan Cooperative Clients, Higher Education, Home Affairs, and public administrations, National Budget Department, Sri Lanka Police Head Quarts etc
- Implemented and managed National Budget Department SQL Servers (Server Configuration SQL Configuration)
- Sri Lanka Police Head Quarts Email Server Backup Management Systems configuration and managements
- Manage All the Servers In-House and outside
- Supervised 4 administrators under me to follow daily, monthly and Yearly basis tasks and targets
- Planned and Implemented CCTV Total Solution for Head Office
- Planned and Implemented VPN for All Branches and Unity Plaza 12 shops to access head Office network to centralize the processors
- Provide Server solutions to Sri Lankan cooperate sector including government Officers.
IT Support Admin
Concept Group Fz LLC
Dubai
01.2005 - 01.2009
- Monitoring and maintaining networks and servers
- Upgrading, installing and configuring new hardware and software to meet company objectives
- Implementing security protocols and procedures to prevent potential threats
- Creating user accounts and performing access control
- Performing diagnostic tests and debugging procedures to optimize computer systems
- Documenting processes, as well as backing up and archiving data
- Developing data retrieval and recovery procedures
- Designing and implementing efficient end-user feedback and error reporting systems
- Supervising and mentoring IT department employees, as well as providing IT support
- Keeping up to date with advancements and best practices in IT administration.
Education
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist- MCTS -
Turnkey institute Colombo
Microsoft Certified IT Professional – MCITP - undefined
Turnkey institute Colombo
Microsoft Certified Professional – MCP - undefined
Turnkey institute Colombo
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate – MCSA - undefined
Turnkey institute Colombo
Microsoft Certified Network Product Specialist – MCNPS - undefined
Turnkey institute Colombo
DELL Rack, Blade, Storage Tower Server, And Desk Top Certification Colombo21 DELL Certificate Covering Full Product Range -
IDM Computer Studies
Colombo Completed Microsoft Certified .Net Course - undefined
Computer Studies Colombo
BCS The Chartered Institute - Information Technology
IT London
04.2001 -
Cisco Certified SMB Specialist - Cisco SMB
Online Exam
04.2001 -
Cybersecurity
Web Safe Samoa
SamoaFellowship - BCS Fellowship
BCS
UK 10.2025 - Current
Skills
Office administration social media
Azure Cloud
PfSense Firewall Administration
2012R2, 2016, 2019 Server Administration
Azure VM Administration
Infrastructure development
Budget administration
Planning and Coordination
Self-Motivated
Office 365 Adminitration
Teambuilding
Teamwork and Collaboration
SQL
Domain Registrations and Site Building
Risk mitigation planning
Documentation and reporting
Quality assurance
Requirements analysis
Security planning
Product development
Organization and Time Management
DR Solution
SQL Manage instance
Azure Data Vault
Accomplishments
- Resolved product issues through consumer testing.
- supervised a team of 10 staff members.
- achieved by the best results through effectively helping with IT Department Task
- Documented and resolved inventory issues, which led to a perfect outcome.
- liaising with existing staff members, managers, supervisors, and clients in order to achieve set goals.
- Observing, analyzing, and offering suggestions on current operations.
Interests
Watching Movies
Travelling
Referees
Will be provided upon Request
Timeline
Fellowship - BCS Fellowship
BCS
10.2025 - Current
Head of Information Technology
Frankie Company LTD
06.2024 - Current
Head of Information Technology
Berendina Group Private Limited
06.2023 - 06.2024
Head of Systems Department
Programus LTD
01.2018 - 06.2022
IT Systems Manager
Programus LTD
01.2013 - 01.2018
Senior Systems and Network Engineer
Programus LTD
01.2011 - 01.2013
Network and Systems Administrator
PC House PLC
01.2009 - 01.2011
IT Support Admin
Concept Group Fz LLC
01.2005 - 01.2009
BCS The Chartered Institute - Information Technology
IT London
04.2001 -
Cisco Certified SMB Specialist - Cisco SMB
Online Exam
04.2001 -
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist- MCTS -
Turnkey institute Colombo
Microsoft Certified IT Professional – MCITP - undefined
Turnkey institute Colombo
Microsoft Certified Professional – MCP - undefined
Turnkey institute Colombo
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate – MCSA - undefined
Turnkey institute Colombo
Microsoft Certified Network Product Specialist – MCNPS - undefined
Turnkey institute Colombo
DELL Rack, Blade, Storage Tower Server, And Desk Top Certification Colombo21 DELL Certificate Covering Full Product Range -
IDM Computer Studies
Colombo Completed Microsoft Certified .Net Course - undefined
Computer Studies Colombo
Cybersecurity
Web Safe Samoa