“From principled beginnings to global boardrooms, excellence is built through consistency, ethical judgment, and the courage to evolve.”

Introduction

Dr. P. J. Hirimuthugoda has navigated the complex world of business and finance with exceptional skill, tireless passion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Over the past two decades, he has significantly influenced the financial landscape of the Gulf region, working with some of the most prominent multinational companies. His career is a testament to what can be achieved through strategic thinking, dedication, and continuous self-improvement—qualities that have shaped both his own growth and the success of the organizations he has served.

His story begins in Sri Lanka, where he was raised with the values of honesty, hard work, and discipline. These principles formed the foundation of a career that would span diverse industries, including retail, FMCG, engineering, automotive, manufacturing, and hospitality. With a deep understanding of business operations, he quickly advanced through professional ranks, earning a reputation for solving complex financial challenges and driving sustainable growth.

Starting with a strong academic background in accounting and finance, Dr. Hirimuthugoda gained early experience with world-renowned firms such as KPMG, where he strengthened his expertise in auditing, quality assurance, compliance, and financial analysis. These early years shaped his commitment to corporate governance and financial transparency—principles that continue to guide his leadership.

Throughout his career, he has held roles such as Auditor, Accountant, Finance Manager, Financial Controller, CFO, and Group Finance Director across various multinational companies in the Gulf. His expertise spans budgeting, taxation, IFRS conversions, IPO preparation, feasibility studies, ERP implementation, FP&A, and investment strategy. These strengths have enabled the companies he served to accelerate growth, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce financial risks.

Dr. Hirimuthugoda has consistently demonstrated a profound understanding of the complexities of financial management within multinational environments. With experience across diverse sectors, he has managed group consolidations, multi-currency transactions, IFRS reporting, and compliance with local and international regulatory requirements. His ability to elevate financial performance while maintaining strong governance has been a defining feature of his leadership.

A key contributor to his success has been his team-oriented leadership approach. He emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and accountability, believing that these values create an environment where both individuals and businesses can thrive. By fostering trust and respect, he has built high-performing teams capable of delivering exceptional results, even in challenging environments.

“The foundation of every great achievement is built on the values of hard work, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. It is in the early steps that we set the course for a lifetime of growth.”

Phase 1: Starting Small and Building a Strong Base (Sri Lanka)

Dr. P. J. Hirimuthugoda’s amazing journey into the world of finance started in Sri Lanka, where he laid the groundwork for his future success. Dr. Hirimuthugoda was raised in a family that taught him strong values of discipline, responsibility, and hard work. He learnt early on that success isn’t just about talent; it’s also about sticking with it and staying focused on long-term goals. Even though he didn’t have a lot of money as a child, he always felt like he had a purpose in life, which would guide him throughout his career.

Dr. Hirimuthugoda was very interested in numbers as a child and how they could tell the story of a business. He became very interested in the practical uses of finance after watching his family run their own small businesses and seeing how money moved around in the community. He knew from the start that his future was in the world of numbers, analysis, and strategy. He was so passionate about it that he decided to work in accounting and finance, which he saw as the best way to learn about the financial systems that run businesses.

He was very dedicated to doing well in school in Sri Lanka. He did very well in school and quickly became known for his ability to think critically and pay attention to detail. His desire to learn and grow was as strong as his academic discipline. During these early years, Dr. Hirimuthugoda learnt how important it was to improve both his technical skills and his understanding of the world as a whole. He thought that education would be the most important part of his career, and he was determined to make the most of every chance he got.

After finishing school, Dr. Hirimuthugoda moved on to the next level of his education by signing up for a tough accounting programme. This choice paved the way for his future success. As he navigated through his studies, he distinguished himself not only through his academic performance but also by his ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical situations. 

“The journey from knowledge to expertise is paved by experience. In every challenge lies an opportunity to refine skills, shape leadership, and build the resilience needed to face the future.”

Phase 2 : KPMG (Sri Lanka) Initial Professional Training

Dr. P. J. Hirimuthugoda’s path into the corporate world began with an opportunity that would change the course of his career. He took the important step of joining KPMG, one of the world’s top professional services firms, after finishing his formal education in Sri Lanka. This was a turning point in Dr. Hirimuthugoda’s career because he went from being a student with only theoretical knowledge to a professional who was getting real-world experience in finance and accounting.

Dr. Hirimuthugoda was able to build a strong foundation in auditing, tax advising, financial analysis, and business consulting thanks to KPMG’s tough training programme. Joining KPMG was more than just a job choice; it was a promise to learn from the best in the business and acquire the technical skills needed to do well in the very competitive field of corporate finance. Working with clients from many different countries and industries gave him a lot of valuable experience with how difficult it is to manage finances in big companies.

Dr. Hirimuthugoda learnt about the high standards of corporate governance, internal controls, and financial reporting that would guide his career while he worked at KPMG. He was on the corporate audit team and was in charge of auditing clients in several fields, including banking, engineering, trading, and hospitality. This hands-on experience gave him a full understanding of how businesses work, how their financial systems work, and how complicated auditing can be. More importantly, it taught him how important it is to be honest, open, and ethical—values that would become very important to him as a financial leader.

Dr. Hirimuthugoda’s training at KPMG included learning about international financial standards and practices, which was one of the most important things he learnt. When working with clients from around the world, I had to deal with complicated rules and regulations and learn the differences between local and international tax laws, financial rules, and reporting requirements. 

“Success in the corporate world is not just about mastering numbers; it’s about aligning financial strategy with the vision of the business, learning from every challenge, and turning opportunities into growth.”

Phase 3 : The First Time in the Business World (Sri Lanka)

Dr. P. J. Hirimuthugoda was ready to move from the academic and consulting worlds to the fast-paced, real-world business world after finishing his tough professional training at KPMG. This was a very important time in his career because he started his first big job in a corporate finance department. Dr. Hirimuthugoda was now ready to take on the challenges of working directly with businesses, driving financial strategy, and helping businesses succeed, thanks to the knowledge and experience he gained at KPMG.

He started out working for medium-sized companies in Sri Lanka, where he learnt about financial reporting, management accounting, and budgeting. These jobs were different from KPMG’s structured environment because they let him work for more dynamic, fast-paced companies where decisions had to be made quickly and with few resources. These experiences meant changing the way they thought about things, from the theoretical and advisory work of auditing and consulting to the practical implementation of financial strategies that had a direct effect on the company’s bottom line.

Dr. Hirimuthugoda’s first few years in the business world were hard but also very rewarding. He quickly learnt that having a lot of knowledge about accounting and finance was important, as was seeing the big picture of the business. It wasn’t enough to just look at the financial data; it was also important to know how that data fit into the company’s strategic goals, product lines, and market position. This step helped him learn more about how finance works as a pillar that supports business operations.

Dr. Hirimuthugoda’s main goal during this time was to make sure that the companies he worked for were financially stable and growing. He did many different things, like making financial statements, keeping track of cash flow, and planning for future growth by making budgets and forecasts. He had to learn a lot about the company’s operational needs, not just its financial ones, to do each of these things.

Note of Thanks

Dr. P. J. Hirimuthugoda extends his heartfelt gratitude to those who have been instrumental in his journey, both personally and professionally. First and foremost, he expresses his deepest appreciation to his family, particularly his wife, for their unwavering support and belief in him throughout his career. Her sacrifices, encouragement, and constant presence have been a source of strength and inspiration, enabling him to pursue his dreams with confidence.

He is also profoundly thankful to the mentors and colleagues who have guided and supported him along the way. A special mention is due to the late Mr Ranjan Seevarathnam, KPMG partner; Mr Mohamed Adil; Evan Camaron, CFO at Al Hokair Group; and Mr Abdulaziz Al Sorayai, Chairman at AL Sorayai Group, whose mentorship and leadership have been crucial in shaping his career. Their wisdom and trust in his abilities have been pivotal to his growth as a leader.

Dr. Hirimuthugoda also wishes to acknowledge the talented teams he has had the privilege to lead. Their hard work, dedication, and shared vision have been essential to the collective achievements and success they have enjoyed together. The contributions of each team member have had a lasting influence on him, and he is grateful for their continued support and collaboration.

Finally, Dr. Hirimuthugoda thanks all those who have been a part of his professional journey. Their belief in his vision and commitment to excellence has been a driving force throughout his career.

Thank You
–  Dr. Priyadharsena Jayampathi Hirimuthugoda