The felicitation of Sunil de Silva

The Association of Professional Bankers – Sri Lanka (APB) felicitated Sunil de Silva, a former Secretary General and Vice President of APB, at a dinner held at Queen’s Court, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo on 21 December 2016.  

This ceremony which was attended by the APB Council members and the Advisory Council members was held to mark the occasion of Sunil de Silva being appointed to the distinguished position of High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Republic of South Africa.

De Silva had his primary and secondary education at Sri Sumangala College, Panadura and entered University of Peradeniya in 1974. He has joined Bank of Ceylon in the same year and was attached to the Kandy Branch. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Peradeniya University offering Economics, Political Science and History. 

He had the opportunity to broaden his knowledge, outlook and experience when he served as the Sub-Manager of BOC London Branch for three years from 1988 to 1991. After returning from London he served as a Relationship Manager at the BOC’s Corporate Credit Department where he gained valuable knowledge and experience in credit evaluation and administration. 

However after serving 26 years he took a bold decision to leave BOC and moved to private banking sector. He joined Pan Asia Bank as the Senior Manager Credit in year 2000 and retired as a DGM – International, Treasury and Recoveries in 2008.  He was able to bring in several improvements during this period. In 2009 he was invited to join Seylan Bank to be in charge of credit administration and credit risk management and was subsequently appointed as the Senior Deputy General Manager Recoveries. 

Speaking on this occasion, Senarath Bandara, Senior Vice President of APB highly commended de Silva’s immense contribution to the APB and to the banking industry as a whole. Bandara further praised Sunil de Silva for his knowledge, dedication, hard work, humility and willingness to give a helping hand to others in the industry.

Piyal Hennayake, a Past President of APB and one of the Advisory Council members of the APB, delivered an eloquent speech highlighting the milestones in de Silva’s banking career and recognising his dynamism, integrity, loyalty, honesty and forthright approach that would have definitely helped him being selected for this prestigious diplomatic assignment.

APB wishes De Silva all the very best in his future endeavours.