Dr. P.A. Kiriwandeniya

Founder of the SANASA Movement

Dr. P.A. Kiriwandeniya is a pioneering cooperative leader in Sri Lanka and the founder of the Sanasa Movement, a network that has empowered rural communities through financial inclusion, education, and self-reliance. A graduate of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, he later received a Doctorate from the University of Ruhuna in recognition of his contributions to strengthening the cooperative sector. Over the years, he has held leadership roles in national and international organisations, including the Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU) and the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF). Honoured with the prestigious Vishwaprasadani Presidential Award in 1996, Dr. Kiriwandeniya remains a central figure in advancing cooperative values and community development in Sri Lanka and beyond.