Business
Seylan Bank appoints Ramesh Jayasekara as Director/CEO to lead next stage of transformation and growth
Seylan Bank PLC, has announced the appointment of Ramesh Jayasekara as its new Director/Chief Executive Officer, effective from 1 May 2023.Having joined Seylan Bank in 2011 as Chief Financial Officer, Ramesh was later appointed Chief Risk Officer in 2016 and assumed the role of Deputy General Manager – Corporate Banking from 2018 until 2019. He was promoted to Senior Deputy General Manager in January 2020 and elevated to Chief Operating Officer the following year.
Ramesh also serves as a Non-Executive Director of Seylan Development PLC, since November 2012.As an integral part of the leadership team for many years, Ramesh brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this new position. Over the years Ramesh has garnered extensive experience in various roles and positions at Seylan and demonstrates substantial capacity to lead the bank, and a commitment to its values and mission, strengthening the brand, and building stronger foundations for its future success.
Ramesh holds a first class honours degree from the University of Colombo. He is an Associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, Chartered Institute of Marketing – United Kingdom, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, United Kingdom and Certified Management Accounts of Sri Lanka.
Contributing to the long-term strategy of the bank, Ramesh has over 20 years of experience in Banking, Strategic Planning, Financial Management, Risk and Audit, both locally and internationally. Prior to joining Seylan Bank PLC, Ramesh has gained extensive international experience as Deputy Regional Financial Controller of the French Banking giant BNP Paribas, Middle East Region comprising Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Cyprus. In Sri Lanka, he held senior roles at HSBC Sri Lanka as Resident Manager – Finance & Planning and at KPMG Sri Lanka as an Audit Manager.
Ramesh’s comprehensive experience in operations, combined with introduction of relevant technological improvements will inevitably contribute to advancing Seylan’s digitalisation strategy, commitment to providing superior products and an exceptional customer experience, continuing to lead the bank with integrity, innovation, and a customer-first approach.
Ramesh was appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Bank in September 2022 and will succeed current Director/CEO Kapila Ariyaratne, who is retiring after 12 years of dedicated service, which involved many significant accomplishments.
The new Director/CEO will take over the reins of the Bank from the stewardship of Kapila Ariyaratne, who’s outstanding service, commitment and leadership has steered Seylan forward through demanding and challenging years. As the Bank celebrates its 35th anniversary, it has grown in assets, deposits and advances by 300% over the past decade, with revenue quadrupled and profit after tax doubled.
Despite the country facing socio-economic crises during the past three years, the Bank under Kapila’s admirable leadership, has unstintingly supported the nation and all customers. In the past decade, the Bank has also been continuously investing in the community assisting under privileged communities, investing in enabling education through the Seylan Pehasara project which established 225 libraries across the country, and has driven the bank to be nominated as the best in Customer Services for four consecutive years (as per LMD). As Kapila leaves the helm of the Bank, the institution is currently in a buoyant and very positive phase of change and growth. He has inspired and mobilised the best skills and resources with courage, boldness and precision to execute strategies in the best interest of all stakeholders.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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