Samadanie Kiriwandeniya appointed as Director of Etimos Foundation, Italy

Etimos Foundation of Italy has announced the appointment of Samadanie Kiriwandeniya, Chairperson of SANASA Development Bank PLC, to their Board of Directors

The Foundation formed on a Co-Operative platform, is affiliated to the largest credit Co-operative movement in Italy. It is committed for inclusive finance, sustainable agriculture and fair trade. The foundation is engaged in adding value to locally driven efforts to strengthen people’s economies through capacity building and investment, recognising the decisive role that economy and finance play when it comes to determining the benefits to the society, the quality of life and the happiness of people and their own communities.

Etimos Foundation operates in Italy and overseas, as a “participatory foundation”; an institution open to those who share the core principles and objectives of the Foundation.

It is the first international shareholder of SANASA Development Bank and has assisted in establishing the Etimos Sri Lanka Ltd., to strengthen micro finance organisations through debt financing and capacity building work, especially in the areas of livelihood development and fair trade in Sri Lanka.

Kiriwandeniya holds a Masters Degree from University of Saskatchewan, Canada and has wide experience in inclusive development, specialising in the field of micro finance and gender.  

Prior to her appointment as the Chairperson, she served as the Deputy General Manager, International Relations and Marketing at SANASA Development Bank. She was responsible for the improvement of the local and international recognition of SANASA Development Bank and SANASA Movement through partnerships with international co-operative banks, development banks and other organisations.