Gamini Karunaratne retires from Credit Information Bureau of Sri Lanka

Gamini Karunaratne, a leading light in the banking and financial sphere retired from the Credit Information Bureau of Sri Lanka (CRIB) where he held the pivotal role of Director/General Manager. His retirement brings the curtain down on an illustrious career spanning well over 49 years.

Karunaratne is credited in transforming Sri Lanka’s credit bureau into a modern information hub which the country’s banking and finance industries could rely upon, as well as, helping over six million people to efficiently manage their credit history. He joined the CRIB in 2009 and was popular in the industry for his affability and professionalism, initiating a far-reaching plan that would see the Bureau emerging as a model for South Asia. The special Customer Help Desk, iReport online service, CRIB Annual Symposium, Institutional Rating System (CRIB members only), popular Governor’s Trophy soft ball cricket tournament were few of his initiations during his tenure at CRIB. 

Under his direction, CRIB won the Compliance Award for its Annual Reports 2012 and 2013 in the Annual Report Awards competition organised by ICASL and the Bronze Award in 2014 (Service category) for the first time in the Bureau history. Karunaratne’s untiring efforts to reform the Secured Transactions Registry System (STR) in Sri Lanka will benefit SMEs immensely once the proposed amendments to the STR Act are confirmed by the parliament.         

Prior to taking over CRIB as its Director/General Manager, Karunaratne carved out his long and successful career, rising through the ranks of HNB, Sri Lanka’s largest private commercial bank. His outstanding career in banking stood at 39 years when he retired as its Senior Deputy General Manager Treasury and Investment Banking.

During his career with HNB he served on the Boards of HNB Securities Limited & HNB Stock Brokers Limited. After his retirement from HNB he was appointed as a Director of DFCC Bank. He also served as a Director of Ceylinco Savings Bank. He is a founder member and a past president of the Sri Lanka Forex Association. He was the Chairman of Lunar Technologies Ltd. and a Director of Minnerva Financials Ltd. He is also a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management UK and a past president of its branch in Sri Lanka.   

Karunaratne is a product of St Anthony’s College, Kandy. He is married to Mangalika (late) and has three daughters currently living in UK.