Kumar Gunawardana was appointed to the Board of Directors of People’s Bank on 26.12.2019 as a non-executive director. He commands over 40 years of experience in diverse areas of banking. Having started his career with Commercial Bank PLC in 1979, he has moved on to Amsterdam Rotterdam Bank (Amro Bank), ABN Amro Bank and finally to National Development Bank PLC (NDB). He has served in Senior Management positions for over 20 Years having first appointed as an Assistant Vice President of ABN AMRO Bank in the year 2000. His areas of expertise is wide and varied and include Branch network management, Institutional banking, Trade finance, Operations, Administration and services.
He has also served as a Member of the Board of Directors of Development Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd. which is an entity jointly owned by National Development Bank PLC (NDB) and Export Development Board (EDB) and Treasurer of Sri Lanka Tennis Association.
Director
Mr. Jayantha Thilakarathne
Mr. Jayantha Thilakarathne is a highly accomplished legal and human resource professional with over 25 years of senior management experience in both national and multinational organizations. His expertise spans strategic HR management, legal advisory, change management, corporate culture development, and financial planning.
Mr. Thilakarathne is an Attorney at Law with an LLB and LLM from the University of Colombo and a Master’s in Public Management (HR) from the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA). He is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management.
Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Thilakarathne has held several leadership positions, including Director of Human Resources at Taj Hotels, Chief HR Officer at Sri Lanka Telecom, and Group General Manager at Maliban Biscuit Manufactories. His visionary leadership has been instrumental in achieving milestones such as securing the "Great Place to Work" awards and implementing innovative HR strategies in prominent organizations.
In addition to his corporate achievements, Mr. Thilakarathne has contributed significantly to academia, serving as a visiting lecturer at leading Sri Lankan universities and actively participating in professional bodies such as CIPM and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.
Director
Mr. Bradley Emerson
Mr. Bradley Emerson is a seasoned professional with over four decades of expertise in banking, education, and strategic leadership. He holds an MBA from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, is a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers (SL), and has an Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK). He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).
Mr. Emerson’s banking career includes pivotal roles at Commercial Bank, Nations Trust Bank, and Pan Asia Bank, where he served as Deputy CEO. Notably, he played a transformative role in Pan Asia Bank's turnaround and rebranding. He also held a senior position at Bank of Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait, overseeing central and branch operations.
In 2007, Mr. Emerson joined CIMA-UK as Regional Director for South Asia and the Middle East, driving exponential growth in the CIMA brand across Sri Lanka and beyond. His leadership extended to the education sector as Executive Director of the Imperial Institute of Higher Education, where he introduced innovative MBA and DBA programs.
An accomplished educator, Mr. Emerson lectures in Strategic Management and International Business and is a visiting faculty member at renowned institutions across South Asia. He is also a certified systemic team coach and founder of Business Athletes Pvt Ltd.
Mr. Emerson has received numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award (2020) and Executive Coach of the Year (2023).
Director
Dr. Ahilan Kadirgamar
Dr. Ahilan Kadirgamar brings a wealth of expertise in engineering, research, and academia to the Board of Directors of People’s Bank. Appointed in November 2024, he joins the Bank with a distinguished background that spans multiple disciplines and global experiences.
Dr. Kadirgamar holds a PhD in Anthropology from the Graduate Center, City University of New York, an MA in Economics from the New School for Social Research, and a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. His career began with over 12 years in engineering, during which he worked in Tokyo and New York, honing his skills in technological innovation and problem-solving.
Transitioning to research and academia, Dr. Kadirgamar has been involved in extensive international projects and has published widely on critical topics such as fisheries, agrarian change, co-operatives, debt restructuring, and economic alternatives. His insights into economic systems and development have positioned him as a thought leader in addressing socio-economic challenges.
In 2018, he joined the University of Jaffna as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, where he has been instrumental in fostering critical thinking and interdisciplinary scholarship.
Chairman
Prof. Narada Fernando
Prof. P.N.D. Fernando is a seasoned academic and financial expert with an extensive career spanning over 25 years in the fields of finance, banking, and higher education. He was appointed as Chairman of People’s Bank in November 2024, bringing with him a wealth of experience in leadership, strategic planning, and financial management.
Prof. Fernando holds a PhD in Government Economics from Central China Normal University, where his research focused on market efficiency and technical trading strategies in the emerging Sri Lankan stock market. He earned his MBA from the West Bengal University of Technology through a prestigious Colombo Plan scholarship and completed his undergraduate studies in Business Management (Accountancy) at the University of Kelaniya.
As an educator, Prof. Fernando has made a profound impact on the academic landscape of Sri Lanka. With over 27 years of teaching experience, he has held numerous key positions, including Professor and Head of the Department of Finance, and served as Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies at the University of Kelaniya. Under his leadership, the faculty achieved significant milestones, including securing World Bank AHEAD grants, ISO 21001 certification for the MBA program, and establishing innovative programs like the Central Business Incubator.
Prof. Fernando has also played a pivotal role as a consultant, evaluator, and resource person for national financial institutions, such as the Colombo Stock Exchange and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka. His scholarly contributions include numerous research publications in reputed journals, with a focus on market behavior and investment strategies.
Director
Mr. Bradley Emerson
Mr. Bradley Emerson is a seasoned professional with over four decades of expertise in banking, education, and strategic leadership. He holds an MBA from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, is a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers (SL), and has an Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK). He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).
Mr. Emerson’s banking career includes pivotal roles at Commercial Bank, Nations Trust Bank, and Pan Asia Bank, where he served as Deputy CEO. Notably, he played a transformative role in Pan Asia Bank's turnaround and rebranding. He also held a senior position at Bank of Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait, overseeing central and branch operations.
In 2007, Mr. Emerson joined CIMA-UK as Regional Director for South Asia and the Middle East, driving exponential growth in the CIMA brand across Sri Lanka and beyond. His leadership extended to the education sector as Executive Director of the Imperial Institute of Higher Education, where he introduced innovative MBA and DBA programs.
An accomplished educator, Mr. Emerson lectures in Strategic Management and International Business and is a visiting faculty member at renowned institutions across South Asia. He is also a certified systemic team coach and founder of Business Athletes Pvt Ltd.
Mr. Emerson has received numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award (2020) and Executive Coach of the Year (2023).
සහකාර සාමාන්යාධිකාරී - මුල්ය
ඒ.ජී.ජයසේන මහත්මිය
Tel : 0112481405 Fax : 0112436598 Email : gayathri@peoplesbank.lk
Director
Mr. Dushan Soza
Dushan Soza is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse background in the BPO industry, banking sector, and community service. He served as the Managing Director of WNS Global Services Sri Lanka for 15 years, successfully building the business from scratch to over Rs 1 billion in revenue, serving marquee global customers. As a founding member of SLASSCOM, he played a vital role in shaping the IT/BPO industry in Sri Lanka.
Dushan has also served on the board of Softlogic Finance, chairing the IT and Risk committees. Currently, he runs BPMOne, a company specializing in transformation and process reengineering. His key skills in banking include core banking, workflows, FinTechs, and digital technologies. He has also made contributions in consumer affairs, serving on the Consumer Affairs Board.
Additionally, Dushan holds board positions in Phoenix Pvt Ltd and PrintCare Digital, and he advises the Port City Economic Commission. He is a dedicated member of the Rotary community, serving as the District Governor for Sri Lanka and Maldives and as a member of the Strategic Committee at Rotary International.
Director
Dr. Ahilan Kadirgamar
Dr. Ahilan Kadirgamar brings a wealth of expertise in engineering, research, and academia to the Board of Directors of People’s Bank. Appointed in November 2024, he joins the Bank with a distinguished background that spans multiple disciplines and global experiences.
Dr. Kadirgamar holds a PhD in Anthropology from the Graduate Center, City University of New York, an MA in Economics from the New School for Social Research, and a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. His career began with over 12 years in engineering, during which he worked in Tokyo and New York, honing his skills in technological innovation and problem-solving.
Transitioning to research and academia, Dr. Kadirgamar has been involved in extensive international projects and has published widely on critical topics such as fisheries, agrarian change, co-operatives, debt restructuring, and economic alternatives. His insights into economic systems and development have positioned him as a thought leader in addressing socio-economic challenges.
In 2018, he joined the University of Jaffna as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, where he has been instrumental in fostering critical thinking and interdisciplinary scholarship.
Chairman
Prof. Narada Fernando
Prof. P.N.D. Fernando is a seasoned academic and financial expert with an extensive career spanning over 25 years in the fields of finance, banking, and higher education. He was appointed as Chairman of People’s Bank in November 2024, bringing with him a wealth of experience in leadership, strategic planning, and financial management.
Prof. Fernando holds a PhD in Government Economics from Central China Normal University, where his research focused on market efficiency and technical trading strategies in the emerging Sri Lankan stock market. He earned his MBA from the West Bengal University of Technology through a prestigious Colombo Plan scholarship and completed his undergraduate studies in Business Management (Accountancy) at the University of Kelaniya.
As an educator, Prof. Fernando has made a profound impact on the academic landscape of Sri Lanka. With over 27 years of teaching experience, he has held numerous key positions, including Professor and Head of the Department of Finance, and served as Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies at the University of Kelaniya. Under his leadership, the faculty achieved significant milestones, including securing World Bank AHEAD grants, ISO 21001 certification for the MBA program, and establishing innovative programs like the Central Business Incubator.
Prof. Fernando has also played a pivotal role as a consultant, evaluator, and resource person for national financial institutions, such as the Colombo Stock Exchange and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka. His scholarly contributions include numerous research publications in reputed journals, with a focus on market behavior and investment strategies.
Director
Mr. Jayantha Thilakarathne
Mr. Jayantha Thilakarathne is a highly accomplished legal and human resource professional with over 25 years of senior management experience in both national and multinational organizations. His expertise spans strategic HR management, legal advisory, change management, corporate culture development, and financial planning.
Mr. Thilakarathne is an Attorney at Law with an LLB and LLM from the University of Colombo and a Master’s in Public Management (HR) from the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA). He is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management.
Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Thilakarathne has held several leadership positions, including Director of Human Resources at Taj Hotels, Chief HR Officer at Sri Lanka Telecom, and Group General Manager at Maliban Biscuit Manufactories. His visionary leadership has been instrumental in achieving milestones such as securing the "Great Place to Work" awards and implementing innovative HR strategies in prominent organizations.
In addition to his corporate achievements, Mr. Thilakarathne has contributed significantly to academia, serving as a visiting lecturer at leading Sri Lankan universities and actively participating in professional bodies such as CIPM and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.
Director
Mr. K. A. Vimalenthirarajah
Mr. K. A. Vimalenthirarajah is an officer of Sri Lanka Administrative Service, counting over 30 years of experience in the public service. He is presently working as the Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development. He is an Attorney-at-Law.
Mr. Vimalenthirarajah holds a Special Degree in Economics from the University of Jaffna, Master of Philosophy in Economics from the University of Peradeniya, Master of Business Administration from the University of Moratuwa and Bachelor of Laws from the Open University of Sri Lanka. He has a Postgraduate Diploma in Development Studies and Public Policy, Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations, Diploma in Human Resource Management, Diploma in E-Government, and Diploma in Information Technology.
He has also completed the Oxford Fintech Programme of the Said Business School of the Oxford University, Mastering Trade Policy: Executive Education Programme of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and Certificate in Information Technology of the Australian Computer Society.
Prior to his appointment as the Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development, he has held various positions in the public service including the positions of Director General of the Department of Trade and Investment Policy, Director General of the Department of Fiscal Policy of the General Treasury, Senior Assistant Secretary in charge of Administrative Reforms, the Chief Information Officer of the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs, Minister Counsellor of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Beijing, China.
Mr. Vimalenthirarajah is presently a member of the Board of Trustee of the Mahapola Scholarship Trust Fund.
He was a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export Development Board; M/s De La Rue Lanka Currency and Security Print Ltd, Commissioner of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, Observer at the Board of Directors of the Board of Investment. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Ceylon, the People’s Bank, Sri Lanka Telecom PLC, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, and the Institute of Human Resource Advancement of the University of Colombo and as Chairman / Director of the Board of Directors of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation. He was also the Sri Lanka’s Director to the SAARC Development Fund, and Member of the Supervisory Board for the Commonwealth Small States Trade Finance Facility (CTFF).
Mr.Vimalenthirarajah is also a Visiting Lecturer for the Postgraduate Programmes of the Department of Economics and Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo.
Assistant General Manager - Development & Micro Finance
MS. L. N. A. N. K. NISSANKA
Tel :0711081936 Fax :0112 330083
Director
Mr. Udeni Samararatne
Udeni. K. Samarararatne is an experienced senior finance professional with a career spanning over 35 years. He has worked in senior finance positions in quoted companies such as Sri Lanka Telecom PLC. which is one of Sri Lanka’s largest companies where he worked as the Chief Financial Officer. He has also worked at leading local companies such as Lanka Ashok Leyland PLC., Kelani Tyres PLC. , ACME PLC., Richard Pieris PLC. and multinational companies such as Noritake of Japan one of the world’s largest porcelain ware manufacturers, Ferrero of Luxembourg one of the world’s largest chocolate manufacturers, CEAT of India which is in a joint venture agreement for producing tyres with Kelani Tyres PLC of Sri Lanka.
He is qualified in ACCA U.K and CIMA U.K. He also holds an MBA from the Swiss Business School in Zurich Switzerland, a Higher Diploma in International Relations from the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies and a Diploma in Professional Diplomacy and World Affairs from the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute. He also holds a Master’s qualification from the Colombo University in Financial Economics.
