Trade Finance Association of Bankers holds 25th AGM for year 2022/2023

Seated (from left): Manjula Gunawardana (NDB Bank), Assistant Treasurer Kanchana De Silva (Union Bank of Colombo), Assistant Secretary Indika Liyanage (Pan Asia Banking Corporation), Vice President Shyam De Silva (Hatton National Bank), President Lawrian Somanader (Commercial Bank of Ceylon), Senior Vice President Rochelle Fernando (Bank of Ceylon), Secretary General K.R. Naguleswaran (DFCC Bank), Gaya Manamperi (formerly at Sampath Bank), Treasurer Kasun Muthukuda (Nations Trust Bank), Immediate Past President A.S.M.W. Kumarasiri (People’s Bank)

Standing (from left): Shehani Peter (Standard Chartered Bank), K.K. Susantha (Bank of Ceylon), Tharinda Amarasinghe (Sampath Bank), Halin Hettigoda (Sampath Bank), Dilan Wijegoonawardhana (Seylan Bank), Shaariz Zabith (The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation), Eranda Weerakoon (Doha Bank), Niranjan Dabare (Deutsche Bank AG), Harsha Silva (Citi Bank N.A.), Susantha Weerasinghe (People’s Bank), Mahesha Hassan (Public Bank)

The Trade Finance Association of Bankers (TFAB) recently held its 25th Annual General Meeting at the Rainbow Room, Grand Oriental Hotel, Colombo. This year is significant as the TFAB celebrates its Silver Jubilee.

Trade Finance Association of Bankers, which was formed in the year 1997, is the professional association bringing together bankers engaged in providing advice on trade finance solutions to its customer base. It has also been actively engaged in continuous professional development of its membership through conducting of seminars, lectures, discussions, workshops, trade educational tours, and newsletters etc., on a wide range of topics relating to International Trade. These programmes are conducted using the expertise of senior bankers who have mastered the subject in our local and international banks and other senior resource persons drawn from various trade related stakeholders. The premium event of TFAB is the Interbank Trade Finance Quiz and fellowship which promotes trade knowledge and networking among its members. 

TFAB provides an environment for trade practitioners representing all banks to facilitate the exchange of views relating to trade, promote consistency in trade finance practices and to create the required skill set in the industry in supporting trade. The membership comprises of personnel from almost all commercial banks operating in Sri Lanka and the office bearers fully reflect the diversity and breadth of its membership. The Association is backed by an eminent Advisory Committee comprising of four senior bankers and past TFAB Presidents A. 

Kathiravelupillai (Inaugural President of TFAB and Former DGM – International of Bank of Ceylon), Michael Peiris (Former Head of Trade of Union Bank of Colombo PLC), Nilam Jumat (Former AGM – International of Hatton National Bank PLC), and Thushy David (Former Director, Head Global Subsidiary Coverage, Head of Trade and Cash Management Sales of Deutsche Bank).  

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC Chief Manager – Heads of Exports Lawrian Somanader was unanimously elected as the President of the Association for the second consecutive year. He is a Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTPF) from International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Paris with over 30 years of banking experience that includes 28 years in International Trade related services Imports and Exports at Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC. Somanader has had held many responsible positions in the Trade Finance Association including Senior Vice President and the Treasurer of the Association, prior to his appointment last year.

The newly appointed President in his speech highlighted the significant role played by the TFAB to the banking industry since its inauguration in 1997. He said the team will continue to focus on developing its membership by enhancing the professional knowledge and sharpening the skills of trade practitioners involved in imports and export business. Despite the current economic crisis and the highly volatile exchange rate, international trade will continue to grow in importance as businesses and banks view this segment as the key contributor to their overall performance.  He further stated that the knowledge imparted by the TFAB by way of trade seminars, workshops, quiz competitions, trainings and knowledge forums to its membership was commendable. Finally, he thanked the previous presidents for their leadership and thanked the membership for electing him to steer the association. He pledged his commitment towards the betterment of the TFAB.

The following members were elected as office-bearers of the Trade Finance Association of Bankers for the year 2022/2023 during the Annual General Meeting:

President – Lawrian Somanader – Chief Manager, Exports, Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC 

Senior Vice President – Rochelle Fernando – Assistant General Manager, Trade Services, Bank of Ceylon

Vice President – Shyam De Silva – Senior Manager Operations, Centralised Trade Processing, Hatton National Bank PLC

Secretary General – K.R. Naguleswaran – Assistant Vice President, Correspondent Banking and Remittances, DFCC Bank PLC

Treasurer – Kasun Muthukuda – Manager, Trade Services, Nations Trust Bank PLC 

Assistant Secretary – Indika Liyanage – Senior Manager, Trade Services, Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC

Assistant Treasurer – Kanchana De Silva – Senior Manager Trade Operations, Union Bank of Colombo PLC

Council Members: Gaya Manamperi (Formerly at Sampath Bank PLC), Manjula Gunawardana (NDB Bank PLC), Susantha Weerasinghe (People’s Bank), Tharinda Amarasinghe (Sampath Bank PLC), Niranjan Dabare (Deutsche Bank AG), K.K. Susantha (Bank of Ceylon), Halin Hettigoda (Sampath Bank PLC), Shaariz Zabith (The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd.), Dilan Wijegoonawardhana (Seylan Bank PLC), Shehani Peter (Standard Chartered Bank), Eranda Weerakoon (Doha Bank), Harsha Silva (Citi Bank N.A.), Mahesha Hassan (Public Bank)

Immediate Past President: A.S.M.W. Kumarasiri (Assistant General Manager, Trade Finance, People’s Bank)