• Sanmark Solutions founder and CEO Kosala Indrasiri on leadership, employee wellbeing, and giving back to the community

Founded with minimal resources but a powerful vision, Sanmark Solutions has emerged as a leader in software development in Sri Lanka, specialising in HubSpot integration, software team outsourcing, and custom software solutions. What started in a small rural setting with donated computers and a dream has grown into a globally recognised company with a people-first culture.

In conversation with The Daily Morning Brunch, Sanmark Solutions founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kosala Indrasiri shared his remarkable journey, leadership insights, and the unique ways Sanmark Solutions is shaping both the tech industry and its local community.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

Can you tell us about the journey of founding Sanmark Solutions? What inspired its creation?

My journey began in Grade 9 when my environment studies teacher said that every Sri Lankan carries a debt to the world. That statement stuck with me. Initially, I believed paying that debt meant making money, but I later realised it’s about building something meaningful for the country.

After graduating from the University of Peradeniya with a degree in computer science engineering, I looked for ways to earn foreign income to support Sri Lanka. I started on freelance websites, doing small tasks like data processing and graphic design. These early experiences taught me valuable skills and helped me build my first team.

How has Sanmark evolved since its inception, and what do you see as its biggest achievement so far?

We started in 2009 with just three people, no capital, and borrowed computers. My girlfriend, now my wife, Erangi Kaushalya, even used her scholarship money to help us get an internet connection. Initially, we handled data and graphic work, but by 2012, we were taking on full software development projects.

Until 2019, we remained a small team. The real shift happened in 2020 when a team member encouraged me to scale. We developed HR, accounts, marketing, and QA teams and grew to a 70-person team by 2024.

Our greatest achievement is our company culture. From day one, we prioritised a friendly, supportive environment, and we’ve worked hard to maintain that even as we expanded.

What sets Sanmark apart from other software development companies?

We are specialists in HubSpot integrations, which is a niche but highly sought-after expertise. We work with top HubSpot partners worldwide, and our reputation in this space continues to grow.

Sanmark is based outside the commercial capital of Colombo. How has your location influenced the company’s growth?

Choosing to build Sanmark outside a busy urban centre came with its own set of challenges and opportunities. In the early days, securing stable electricity, high-speed internet, and attracting skilled team members was not easy. However, these obstacles pushed us to be creative and resilient.

The location has also given us unique advantages. Since we primarily work with international clients, we were never tied to a city. Instead, we’ve built our company in a calm, green environment where employees can enjoy a peaceful work setting, free from long commutes and city traffic.

Many of our team members live nearby, which allows them to spend more time with their families and maintain a healthier work-life balance. This environment has become part of our identity and has helped us create a supportive, people-centred culture where both productivity and wellbeing are prioritised.

How do you stay ahead in the rapidly evolving tech industry?

We encourage experimentation. I’ve always given the team the freedom to explore new tools and methods, even if they fail. This openness has helped us remain agile and innovative.

Can you describe your leadership style and how it shapes Sanmark’s culture?

I lead by trust and empowerment. I identify potential in people, often before they see it in themselves. I guide and support rather than give orders. If something goes wrong, I take responsibility. That’s how we’ve built trust and a loyal, capable team.

What was the toughest decision you’ve made as CEO?

During Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis, while many companies cut salaries, I did the opposite. I gave a significant salary increase to the entire team. It was risky, but I believed they deserved decent pay to maintain a good quality of life. Looking back, it was the right decision.

How do you balance innovation with customer demands?

We stay close to our customers’ needs but always propose innovative solutions when we see an opportunity to add value.

How do you care for your employees’ wellbeing?

We deeply care about both physical and mental health. We offer gym memberships, sports facilities like table tennis, badminton, and cricket, and free healthcare for all employees. We even encourage sports activities during lunch breaks and after work.

To support mental health, we provide mentoring, consulting services, and created spaces for free discussions and relaxation. We organise entertainment programmes and hold open, supportive discussions across teams.

Sometimes we go beyond typical workplace expectations like helping employees when they have had personal challenges, supporting their families, and standing by their side during difficult times. We also involve their families in company events like annual trips and cricket tournaments, and we are planning to offer nutrition packages and entertainment benefits to employees’ families in the near future.

Can you tell us about your workplace environment?

Our offices are filled with art, plants, and relaxing spaces. The software industry is mentally demanding, so we’ve created an environment that eases pressure and supports both productivity and happiness.

How do you foster growth within your team?

We’ve designed our organisational structure to support fast learning and professional development. Seniors regularly transfer knowledge to newcomers, and we have continuous training programmes. Our supportive culture ensures that everyone helps each other grow and succeed.

Can you share a success story that reflects Sanmark’s values?

We’ve been working with Engaging.io, an Australian company, for over five years as their development team. Through our partnership, they’ve become one of the top HubSpot partners in the global ecosystem. This success showcases our commitment to growing our clients’ businesses.

What technologies are you excited about for the future?

I’m particularly excited about AI. We’re developing an AI agent for e-commerce websites that will transform how businesses interact with customers. We believe this will be a game-changer in the next few years across the globe.

How is Sanmark giving back to the community?

At Sanmark Solutions, social responsibility is at the heart of our mission. We strongly believe that a successful business should not only focus on profit but also contribute meaningfully to the community that supports it. We take active steps to give back and create positive, lasting impacts in our local environment.

We consistently support schools in the villages, especially focusing on improving their access to technology and digital learning resources. This includes donating equipment, providing learning materials, and upgrading their technical facilities. Additionally, we offer direct support to village students, helping them with scholarships, school supplies, and mentorship opportunities to encourage them to pursue education, particularly in technology-related fields. We understand that many talented students in rural areas lack the resources to fully develop their potential, and we are committed to helping bridge that gap.

Beyond education, we engage with local communities in their special events and life challenges. Whether it’s supporting cultural programmes, helping during times of crisis, or contributing to local improvement projects, we make it a priority to stand alongside the communities that surround us. We view these contributions not as charity, but as a responsibility to repay the support and trust we receive.

Our team also actively partners with technical colleges and universities, conducting regular training sessions, workshops, and awareness programmes. By sharing our practical industry knowledge, we aim to better prepare the next generation of software engineers and technology professionals, enhancing their readiness to enter the workforce.

Environmental protection is another key pillar of our social responsibility. We participate in tree planting initiatives and conservation activities to promote sustainability. Additionally, we have already transitioned our operations to run entirely on solar energy, which reflects our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint.

Looking toward the future, we have an ambitious plan to create an IT village in Batapola. This vision includes a state-of-the-art technology hub designed to foster creativity, wellbeing, and growth. The IT village will feature 2,000 workspaces, comfortable accommodations, dining areas, sports and recreation facilities, and entertainment zones. It will be a unique, relaxing environment that combines high productivity with a high quality of life, setting a new standard for workplace culture in the Sri Lankan tech industry. Through this project, we aim to create not just a workplace, but a thriving community where innovation and wellbeing go hand in hand.

What do you attribute your success to?

Our success is built on trust, transparency, and genuine effort to grow our clients’ businesses. These values have guided every decision and helped us earn long-lasting partnerships.

What advice would you give to aspiring tech entrepreneurs?

Life constantly tests your capabilities. When you face hard situations, see them as opportunities to prove yourself. If you persist, something better is always waiting on the other side. Never ever give up.

What does success mean to you now?

True success, I’ve come to understand, is about helping others grow. It’s about creating opportunities for people to develop their skills, build their confidence, and improve their lives. There’s something deeply rewarding about watching someone who started as a beginner in your company blossom into a leader, or seeing a student you mentored achieve something they once thought was out of reach.

Success is also about building something that makes a real difference, whether that’s creating jobs in your community, improving the quality of life for your employees and their families, or contributing to society in a way that leaves a positive, lasting impact. When you focus on people, not just profit, the work becomes more meaningful.

This shift in mindset has brought me true happiness. It’s not the recognition or the revenue that satisfies me the most. It’s knowing that Sanmark Solutions is a place where people grow, where they are supported, where their families are cared for, and where we can contribute to the greater good.

True success is shared success. It’s about building together, lifting others as you rise, and creating something that will continue to make life better for many, even beyond your own lifetime.

(The writer has a wealth of experience as an author, lecturer, and journalist spanning more than a decade)