For Wing Commander (Retd). D. Pradeep S. kannangara, leadership was forged where hesitation carried a cost. Commissioned into the Sri Lanka Air Force as a Pilot Officer, he went on to command its Special Air Borne Force and receive the Rana Sura Padakkama for gallantry. Today, as Director and Chief Executive Officer of AB Securitas, he brings that composure to a different frontline: protecting people, assets and trust.

His journey with the company began in 1994, when its team numbered 38. It now employs more than 5,200 people across Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Behind that growth lies a conviction shaped by service: leaders earn respect by sharing responsibility, setting an example and caring for those who carry out the mission. His guiding maxim, “Command but not Demand”, finds expression in staff training, welfare and professional development.
Under his leadership, AB Securitas has moved beyond conventional guarding towards integrated loss prevention, electronic surveillance, cash management and ATM services. He sees technology as a sharper pair of eyes, while trained people remain the steady hands that act on what it reveals. Artificial intelligence and analytics may identify a threat; judgement and integrity determine the response.

An MBA graduate of Edith Cowan University, Kannangara combines ambition with disciplined execution. He envisages expansion beyond South Asia, with Oman, Vietnam and the Maldives among the markets in view. Yet the legacy he seeks is measured in human terms: a workforce treated with dignity, an industry held to higher standards and a Sri Lankan enterprise trusted beyond its shores.

Global CEO Magazine recently interviewed Wing Commander (Retd). D. Pradeep S. kannangara, Director and Chief Executive Officer of AB Securitas, about his journey from military command to corporate leadership and his vision for the security industry.

Q: Your career journey spans distinguished military service and senior corporate leadership. How has your experience as a Wing Commander shaped your leadership philosophy, decision making and approach to managing people?

My career journey began at the Sri Lanka Air Force Academy, where I was commissioned as a Pilot Officer. During a distinguished military career that culminated in my retirement at the rank of Wing Commander, I had the privilege of commanding the elite Special Air Borne Force and was honoured with the Presidential Gallantry Award. When I moved from the front line to the corporate boardroom at AB Securitas in 1994, I brought with me a leadership philosophy built on three pillars: discipline, resilience and strategic clarity.

In the military, decisions often have to be made under intense uncertainty. That environment taught me to analyse volatile situations rapidly, make clear decisions calmly and stand firmly by them. In business, this training helped me respond to national disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 economic crisis. I established robust business continuity plans and ensured that our operations continued without losing a single client.

My military service also shaped how I manage people. Command is never just about giving orders; it involves sharing risk, earning mutual respect and practising a people-centred model of leadership. I learnt that if you clearly define the mission and genuinely care for your people, they will take care of the mission. At AB Securitas, this has translated into employee welfare initiatives, a culture of integrity and an emphasis on professional development. Our growth from 38 personnel to a workforce exceeding 5,200 across South Asia reflects that philosophy.

Q: Moving from the disciplined environment of the Sri Lanka Air Force into corporate leadership must have required a significant transition. What were the most valuable lessons and defining moments in that journey?

Transitioning from the Sri Lanka Air Force to corporate leadership in 1998 meant translating tactical command into commercial strategy. A common misconception is that the military is purely rigid. In reality, protecting the skies requires the coordination of a multidisciplinary force of engineers, administrators and finance professionals, much like the corporate world.
A defining moment was taking over as Operations Manager at AB Securitas when it had a team of just 38. I brought with me two deeply held military principles: “Lead by Example” and “Command but not Demand”. These qualities were welcomed by stakeholders as I helped the company evolve into an international enterprise with over 5,200 employees. The experience proved that, whether managing a military unit or a corporate team, authentic leadership depends on earning respect rather than enforcing authority.

Q: AB Securitas has built a strong reputation in Sri Lanka’s security and cash management industry. What strategic decisions have been most important in strengthening the company’s position and earning the trust of its clients?

Our market leadership and the trust of our clients rest on four defining pillars: professionalism, reliability, dependability and protection. When safeguarding high value assets, success depends on these values.

A key strategic decision was moving from traditional guarding to integrated loss prevention. We incorporate technology that meets Western standards and use smart automation to improve efficiency and reduce costs for our clients.

We also became the first local provider to achieve ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 certifications. Our commitment to continuous improvement has earned us the trust of nearly 90% of Sri Lanka’s banking sector, including the Central Bank. Equally important has been our ability to keep operations running through periods of disruption.

Q: Security threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, extending beyond physical risks to cyber-enabled crime and vulnerabilities created by technology. How is AB Securitas responding to this changing risk landscape?

Security threats now span physical risks, cyber -enabled crime and vulnerabilities created by technology. Because what is secure today may become vulnerable tomorrow, AB Securitas continually innovates, acquires advanced technology and adapts its operational practices to stay ahead of criminals.

As leaders in electronic security and total ATM management, we combine advanced tools with careful oversight. Our processes are designed to reduce internal and white collar risks.
We are in the latter stages of implementing ISO 27001, which would make us the first Sri Lankan security company in our industry to do so. We also operate a dedicated disaster recovery site to support business continuity during unforeseen events. Through automated lifecycle management, real time analytics and rigorous standards, we aim to provide uninterrupted protection as threats evolve.

Q: As electronic surveillance, artificial intelligence, automation and data analytics reshape the global security industry, how is AB Securitas integrating technology with human expertise?

At AB Securitas, we believe technology does not replace human expertise. It amplifies it. Our strategy combines technological precision with human judgement to create a strong defence framework.

We use AI-driven video analytics, automated tracking and data analytics in our central command operations. These systems analyse large volumes of data and flag anomalies quickly. This allows our trained personnel, guided by military discipline, to spend less time on routine monitoring and more time responding to situations that require judgement.
By automating sensitive workflows in our total ATM management and electronic surveillance divisions, we minimise human error and reduce white collar risks. The combination of smart automation and experienced human oversight strengthens the dependability of our security network.

Q: Cash in transit, ATM management and total cash management require exceptional reliability, accuracy and risk control. How does AB Securitas maintain operational excellence across these sensitive services?

Managing over 45% of Sri Lanka’s outsourced cash operations requires a coordinated approach rather than fragmented logistics. At AB Securitas, we maintain operational excellence through strict processes and strong risk controls.

We pioneered total cash management and Brown Label ATM solutions, taking responsibility for the full process, from secure transport to direct Central Bank settlements. To reduce vulnerabilities, we use international technologies, including French-manufactured secure cash transportation bags, one-time combination locks and armoured vehicles monitored by GPS around the clock.

We have also established regional cash hubs where sensitive operations follow strict procedures and varied routines. Supported by ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 certifications, this combination of technology and discipline enables us to manage over 1,000 ATMs with zero client losses.

Q: Security personnel are the public face of the organisation and often work under demanding circumstances. How do you approach recruitment, training, employee welfare and professional development within AB Securitas?

With a workforce exceeding 5,200, our security officers are at the front line of our brand. We regard employee welfare and professional development as strategic investments.
In recruitment, we follow diversity, equity and inclusion principles. We provide opportunities for people with disabilities and offer former military personnel stable employment as they move into civilian life.

To maintain consistent standards, we have established five regional hubs in Matara, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa and Jaffna. Each has a modern training centre where employees receive comprehensive training before being deployed.

We encourage integrity and mutual respect while supporting our people through welfare initiatives, health measures and clear career paths. This helps uphold professional dignity and prepares our teams for demanding conditions.

Q: AB Securitas operates in both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. What opportunities and challenges have emerged from this regional presence, and do you envisage further international expansion?

Our expansion into Bangladesh more than 15 years ago to serve the garment industry gave AB Securitas an early advantage. Today, with over 1,000 personnel in Bangladesh, we see opportunities for growth within South Asia’s manufacturing hubs. Cross border operations also bring challenges, including different regulations, local risks and the need to maintain our quality standards across cultures.

We address these challenges through disciplined execution and strategic planning. As a Sri Lankan security firm operating a fully fledged business overseas, we see regional expansion as central to our future. Building on our presence in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, we are pursuing opportunities in Oman, Myanmar and the Maldives. Our goal is to develop a Sri Lankan enterprise capable of competing internationally.

Q: Environmental, social and governance responsibilities are becoming increasingly important to corporate clients. How is AB Securitas incorporating sustainability, employee wellbeing and social responsibility into its long-term strategy?

At AB Securitas, environmental, social and governance responsibilities are part of our long
– term growth strategy. On governance, we have appointed independent directors to chair our Board Audit and Remuneration Committees, strengthening transparency and accountability.

Our social commitment centres on employee wellbeing and professional dignity. As the first security provider in Sri Lanka to achieve ISO 45001 occupational health and safety certification, we support our workforce of more than 5,200 through safety standards and welfare initiatives.

Environmentally, we are improving fleet deployment and redesigning operational logistics. These measures reduce fuel consumption and our carbon footprint. Together, these efforts help us create lasting value while meeting the ethical and compliance expectations of our corporate clients.

Q: Looking towards the next decade, what is your vision for AB Securitas, and what leadership legacy would you like to create for the organisation, the security industry and Sri Lanka?

Over the next decade, my vision is to strengthen AB Securitas as an internationally competitive enterprise that redefines total loss prevention through smart automation, data analytics and expansion into markets such as Oman and Vietnam. We will continue to develop as a technology-driven security business with disciplined processes.

The legacy I hope to leave is one of professional dignity and lasting institutional trust. Within AB Securitas, I want to be remembered for nurturing a people-centred culture guided by “Lead by Example” and “Command but not Demand”, where employees feel empowered, protected and respected. For the security industry, I hope to set a benchmark for strong governance, integrity and international standards.

Above all, I hope my journey shows that the discipline learnt in military service can help build a successful Sri Lankan enterprise and inspire the next generation to take homegrown brands to the world.

AB Securitas Director/CEO Pradeep Kannangara Honored with CPM Management Leadership Excellence Award 2026

Wing Commander (Retd.) D. Pradeep S. Kannangara, Director and Chief Executive Officer of AB Securitas (Pvt) Ltd, has been honoured with the CPM Management Leadership Excellence Award 2026, receiving the Gold Award in the Security Guards & Patrol Services for Quality & Productivity sector under the C-Suite Executive Leadership category.

The award recognizes his exceptional leadership, strategic vision and contribution to diversification and sustainable growth within Sri Lanka’s security industry. His leadership has played a significant role in strengthening AB Securitas and expanding its capabilities across the security and Total Loss Prevention sector.

The recognition reflects a distinguished leadership journey built on discipline, resilience, strategic decision-making and operational excellence.

Key Takeaways

1. Leadership is earned through example and care
Kannangara credits discipline, shared responsibility and employee welfare for AB Securitas’ growth from 38 people to more than 5,200.

2. Technology strengthens human judgement
The company combines AI, analytics and automation with trained personnel to identify threats and respond effectively.

3. Trust guides expansion
Kannangara aims to take AB Securitas into new markets while upholding professional dignity, strong governance and international standards.