🧑💼 CBSL Appoints Two New Deputy Governors
• In terms of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023, the Minister of Finance has appointed two new Deputy Governors, effective late October/early November 2025. • Appointees & Effective Dates: • Dr. C Amarasekara (Former Assistant Governor): Effective 24.10.2025. • Mr. K G P Sirikumara (Former Assistant Governor): Effective 03.11.2025. • Key Experience Highlights: • Dr. Amarasekara: Over 22 years experience. Specialises in monetary policy and macroeconomic research. Previously served as Alternate Executive Director at the IMF (Jan 2022-Feb 2024) and oversaw Economic Research and Market Operations. • Mr. Sirikumara: Over 25 years experience. Previously oversaw Public Debt Management, Financial Sector Resolution, and Currency Management. Instrumental in introducing law reforms in the banking/financial sector and anti-money laundering frameworks. Both are Attorneys-at-Law.
🏏 SL Cricket Selection Panel Term Ends in December 🏏
• The two-year term of the current Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) selection committee, chaired by Upul Tharanga, is set to conclude in December. • SLC has initiated the standard process, requesting stakeholders to nominate names for the new panel within a two-week period. The SLC Executive Committee will forward 10 suitable candidates to the Minister of Sports for the final appointment. • The committee was appointed after the 2023 ICC CWC failure, and alongside Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya, has overseen significant improvement: • ODIs: Strong 68% win rate (P25, W17). Currently ranked 4th. • Tests: 50% win rate (P14, W7). Currently ranked 6th. • T20Is: 45.45% win rate (P33, W15). Ranked 8th. • The new (or partially retained) panel will likely pick the squad for the next ICC T20 World Cup (hosted by India/Sri Lanka, Feb-Mar 2026). • Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya's contract, which expires on March 31, 2026, will also come up for review after the T20 World Cup.
🏦 Standard Chartered SL Welcomes New Head of Corporate Affairs & Marketing
Standard Chartered Sri Lanka has appointed Kumudu Munasinghe as Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing, effective October 15. • Munasinghe joins the Bank's Country Management Team to craft and deliver the overall strategy for Corporate Affairs, Brand, and Marketing for the Sri Lanka franchise. • She brings over 25 years of extensive cross-industry experience in the Sri Lankan corporate sector. • Key expertise includes a strong focus on ESG communications and social impact. • Prior to this, she was a Senior Assistant Vice President at the John Keells Group, heading Corporate Communications, the 'Plasticcycle' project, and Group Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). • She was recognized in 2021 for Excellence in Corporate Communications at the Top 50 Professional and Career Women Awards. CEO Bingumal Thewarathanthri expects her leadership to be instrumental in strengthening the bank's brand presence and stakeholder engagement.
Dr. Gishan Illangakoon Appointed to SMB Finance PLC Board 📈
• Top professional Dr. Gishan Illangakoon has been appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director to the Board of SMB Finance PLC. • He brings over 32 years of progressive experience in banking and finance, covering retail, MSME, corporate banking, risk management, and sustainable finance. • Dr. Illangakoon has held senior leadership roles locally and internationally, including at Hatton National Bank (Sri Lanka), Barclays Bank (UAE), and United Arab Bank (UAE). • He also served as the former CEO of Pan Oceanic Bank, Solomon Islands, and was the former Vice President of the Association of Banking Sector Risk Professionals (Bankers’ CRO Forum – Sri Lanka), contributing significantly to risk governance standards. • Holding a PhD in Management and an MBA, his strategic foresight and cross-regional leadership are expected to enhance governance and sustainability-driven growth at SMB Finance.
Headline: 📈 Key Appointment: Senaka Kakiriwaragodage Joins CSE Board
• Senaka Kakiriwaragodage, CFA, has been appointed as a Director to the Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), effective from 03/10/2025. • He is a 22-year veteran with extensive experience in investment banking, private equity, and IT services. • Mr. Kakiriwaragodage currently serves as the Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NDB Capital Holdings Limited and is a Director in several NDB Capital Group and investee companies. • His previous roles include being a member of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Finance and Capital Markets Sector Committee, and holding board positions at CIMA and the CFA Society of Sri Lanka. • He holds strong academic and professional qualifications, including an MBA, a B.Sc. First Class Degree in Computer Science and Engineering, and is a CFA Charter holder and a Fellow of CIMA (CGMA).
📈 Global Dairy Major HANNS Canada Appoints Rohan Ariyawansa as SL Country Head
• Global dairy processor HANNS Global Canada Inc. has appointed Rohan Ariyawansa as Director of Corporate Affairs and Country Head for Sri Lanka. • Ariyawansa brings over 40 years of extensive experience, notably in the apparel manufacturing industry, strategic planning, and quality management systems (CTPAT, ISO TQM, 5S, KAIZAN). • He previously held senior leadership positions at companies including Banaras GMBH Export and Import, Metal Recyclers Colombo Ltd., Lanka Felts Ltd., and Supply Room Ltd. • In his new role, Ariyawansa will focus on driving growth, innovation, and community development by strengthening relationships with government, foreign, and industry partners in Sri Lanka. • HANNS Global Canada Inc. is a leading dairy processor globally, with regional partnerships like Three GOSHALA (Pte) Ltd in Kerala, India.
📈 Key Appointments in Finance & Energy
• Veteran investment banking professional Kusal Jayawardana has been appointed Chairman of Lanka Ventures PLC and LVL Energy Fund PLC. • Mr. Jayawardana brings over 27 years of experience in capital markets, corporate advisory, and financial services, holding qualifications including CFA and CIMA/CGMA. • He has held senior leadership roles, including Deputy MD of Alliance Finance PLC and CEO of NDB Capital Ltd., Bangladesh. • Innovation Focus: Noted for pioneering landmark capital market transactions, including introducing the first Green Bond in the NBFI sector and pioneering Social Bonds in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. • The appointment is expected to strengthen leadership and drive portfolio expansion for both entities, particularly leveraging the strong regional presence of LVL Energy Fund in renewable and conventional power generation.
📈 Maskeliya Plantations Strengthens Board with RPC Finance Head
• Maskeliya Plantations PLC has appointed Sudheera Epitakumbura as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director to its Board. • Epitakumbura is the current Head of Finance at Richard Pieris & Company PLC (RPC) and brings over 25 years of experience in finance and auditing. • His previous roles at RPC, which he joined in 2009, include serving as the Chief Financial Controller of the Plantations Sector and Deputy Group Chief Finance Officer. • He is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and an Associate Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants UK.
📰 Kegalle Plantations Appoints Finance Veteran Dinusha Perera to Board
• Kegalle Plantations PLC has appointed Dinusha Perera as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director. • Perera brings over 22 years of experience in finance and operations from leading Sri Lankan conglomerates, bolstering the board's expertise in the plantations sector. • He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Hardware Sector at Richard Pieris & Company PLC. • His professional background is extensive, spanning key leadership roles across diverse sectors, including: • Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for multiple sectors at Hayleys Group. • Head of Finance at the Aitken Spence Hotel Sector. • General Manager (GM) at St. Anthony’s Industries Group. • Perera’s core expertise lies in financial management, corporate governance, strategic planning, and driving organisational performance. • He is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.
CDB Appoints Dr. Rasitha Wickramasinghe as Independent Director 📈
Citizen’s Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) has appointed Dr. Rasitha Wickramasinghe to its Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director. • Dr. Wickramasinghe is a seasoned strategy consultant with over 25 years of experience across US, European, and Asian markets. • He currently serves as a senior member of Stax LLC (Sri Lanka), a global consultancy focusing on Private Equity (PE) clients. • His sector expertise covers diverse areas including financial services, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, and education. • Prior roles include Director at GT Nexus (Sri Lanka), a global supply chain technology platform, and consultancy roles in the UK telecommunications industry with firms like Nokia, Telefonica-O2, and Amdocs. • This appointment reinforces CDB's strategic depth with significant international and strategy consulting experience.
🏦 Banking Veteran Nandika Buddhipala Joins Sarvodaya Development Finance Board
• Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC (SDF) has appointed banking veteran Nandika Buddhipala as an Independent Non-Executive Director. • Buddhipala brings over 35 years of executive experience across Banking, Telecommunication, and Audit and Assurance industries. • He served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC for over 17 years, a position he held until May 2025. • His prior experience includes working as the CFO of Mobitel Ltd. and being an alumnus of KPMG. • Buddhipala holds influential roles in professional and academic bodies, including Council Member of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Chairman of the CISI National Advisory Committee, Sri Lanka. • He is a Fellow Member of several prestigious institutions including CA Sri Lanka, ACCA (UK), and CMA.
🏦 Indrajith Boyagoda Appointed Chairman of AMW Capital Leasing
• AMW Capital Leasing and Finance PLC (AMWCL) has named Indrajith Boyagoda as its new Chairman. • Boyagoda possesses more than 30 years of experience in the Financial Services industry, covering Treasury, Capital Markets, Corporate Relationship Management, and Banking Operations. • His career highlights include serving as the former Executive Vice President of Treasury and Investment Banking at Nations Trust Bank PLC, along with senior positions at Citibank Sri Lanka and Samba Financial Group (Saudi Arabia). • He was first appointed to the AMWCL Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director in June 2024, becoming Senior Director in November 2024. • He currently also serves as the Secretary General of the Sri Lanka Banks’ Association Ltd. (SLBA), representing them on the Director Boards of LankaPay Ltd. and Lanka Financial Services Bureau Ltd.
📈 Leadership Change for Youth Empowerment
• Veteran leader Dumindra Ratnayaka has been appointed Chairman of the Avinya Foundation, a registered non-profit providing full scholarships and 21st-Century skills training to underprivileged Sri Lankan youth (18-25). • He takes over from Founder Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana (CEO & Founder of WSO2). • Avinya Academy in Bandaragama provides this education, focusing on youth who have failed the traditional education stream, in collaboration with partners like Sampath Bank, Singer Sri Lanka, and Sensus BPO for industrial experience. • Ratnayaka's key former roles include: Founding Chairman of 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation, Former Chairman of the Board of Investment (BOI), and Former Board Member of the Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA). • The 2025 cohort is graduating in early December, receiving an Avinya Foundation certificate (Job, English, Computer, Maths with STEM.org accreditation) and a TVEC NVQ Level 3 (Customer Services). • The Academy plans to double its impact in 2026, commencing two six-month full-time programs for up to 120 students each, starting in January and July.
Mithila Wegapitiya Appointed to LAUGFS Gas & Power Boards 💼
• LAUGFS Gas PLC and LAUGFS Power PLC have appointed Mithila Wegapitiya as a Non-Independent Director to their respective Boards. • He currently serves as the Executive Vice Chairman of LAUGFS Holdings Ltd. • Wegapitiya is a technology entrepreneur and innovation advocate with a multidisciplinary background covering management, finance, global marketing, and ICT/BPM interactive entertainment. • His 12 years of global experience spans roles at organizations like Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (London), Deutsche Bank (Australia), and Virtusa Corporation. • He co-founded POTENZA, a global tech consultancy (SAP, Data & Analytics, Intelligent Automation) headquartered in Singapore with offices in Sri Lanka and Australia, focusing on large-scale digital transformation initiatives.
RDB Bank Names Dr. Asanga Tennakoon as New GM/CEO 📈
• The Regional Development Bank (RDB), a premier state-owned development bank, has appointed Dr. Asanga Tennakoon as its new General Manager/CEO, effective October 13, 2025. • RDB operates the third largest branch network in Sri Lanka with 272 branches and serves a base of 6 million customers island-wide. • Dr. Tennakoon is a C-suite banking professional with over 25 years of experience in wholesale banking, covering corporate and SME segments across Sri Lanka and the Middle East. • He specializes in credit appraisal, risk management, and project financing. Prior roles include Vice President – Corporate Banking at Union Bank of Colombo PLC, and managing corporate clients at Doha Bank in Qatar and Dubai. • The new leadership is set to reinforce RDB's core mission of facilitating regional economic development by promoting sectors such as agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and industry.
🚗 Automotive Sector Update: AMW Appoints Jawahar Ganesh as Group Managing Director
• Associated Motorways Ltd. (AMW), a unit of Dubai’s Al-Futtaim Company, has appointed Jawahar Ganesh as its new Group Managing Director. • New Role: Ganesh will oversee AMW's diverse operations, including automotive sales and after-sales, lubricants, batteries, tyres, retreading, and financial services (leasing/hire purchase). He will also serve on the Boards of AMW Ltd. and AMW Capital Leasing and Finance PLC. • Experience: He brings over three decades of international experience in strategic leadership, business transformation, and finance, having held key roles with global automotive brands like Nissan and Mitsubishi in Europe and the Middle East. • Outlook: Ganesh is committed to accelerating AMW's transformation and strengthening its customer focus, aiming to enhance the company’s position in Sri Lanka’s evolving mobility landscape. The appointment also mirrors confidence in the country's economic policies and government stability to drive business investment.
📈 PE Veteran Nissanka Weerasekera Joins Lanka Ventures & LVL Energy Fund Boards
• Nissanka Weerasekera has been appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director (INED) to the Boards of Lanka Ventures PLC and LVL Energy Fund PLC. • A seasoned Private Equity (PE) and Venture Capital (VC) veteran, he served as the Regional Managing Partner for Central and South Asia of Aureos Capital (2003-2012) and later as Managing Director for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh of The Abraaj Group until 2017. • He started his VC career as CEO of the pioneer Sri Lankan firm PVIC and subsequently MD of Nextventures in the mid-1990s. • Past Nominee Director roles spanned numerous investee companies, including key entities such as MillenniumIT, Interblocks, e-Channelling, Richlife Dairies, Asiri Central Hospital, and Apollo Hospital Dhaka. • His extensive board experience also includes previous INED roles at public listed companies like Dipped Products PLC, John Keells Hotels PLC, Sunshine Holdings PLC, and Watawala Plantations PLC. • He currently serves as an INED for ACL Cables PLC and TAL Lanka Hotels PLC.
📈 Coca-Cola Appoints New Country Head for Sri Lanka & Maldives
The Coca-Cola Company has announced the appointment of Mario Perera as the new Country Head for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, succeeding Kaushali Kusumapala. • Experience: Mario Perera brings over 14 years of regional and global leadership in the Food & Beverage (F&B) industry, having previously served as Frontline Marketing Lead for Coca-Cola India & Southwest Asia (INSWA). • Key Focus: He will collaborate closely with bottling partners and stakeholders to accelerate growth, innovation, and community impact across both nations. • Strategic Direction: The mandate includes providing overall business direction, focusing on sustainable growth, operational excellence, and expanding the beverage portfolio with new product introductions. • Stakeholder Role: A vital part of the role will be strengthening relationships with government authorities, regulators, and industry partners to ensure a supportive operating environment.
Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governing Board Appointment ⚖️
• H.E. the President has appointed Mr. Maithri Evan Wickremesinghe, P.C. as a member of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governing Board (GB), effective 02.10.2025. • He succeeds Mr. Rajeev Amarasuriya in this role. • The GB is tasked under the CBSL Act, No. 16 of 2023, with overseeing the administration, management, and determination of general policies for the CBSL. All GB members also serve on the Monetary Policy Board. • Profile Highlights: • Mr. Wickremesinghe is a President's Counsel (P.C.), a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK), and holds an Honours Degree in Law from the University of Colombo. • He is an active practicing lawyer and arbitrator in national and international proceedings. • His previous experience includes serving as a Senior Independent Director of a listed commercial bank (chairing its Audit Review and Nominations Committees) and an Independent Director of a listed conglomerate. • He currently serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Convenience Foods Lanka PLC.