Abans Group appoints Dinesh Weerakkody to Board of Directors

Abans Group recently announced the appointment of Dinesh Weerakkody as a Non-Executive Director to Abans Retail Holdings.

“Since the company’s inception 50 years ago, Abans has grown to become a large conglomerate that has diversified into many sectors. Abans’ goal has always been to elevate the living standards of Sri Lankans by making accessible, world-renowned brands which espouse innovation, ingenuity and tenacity as their primary values, and providing customer-centric after-sales services.

 Furthermore, Abans is committed to serve the people of Sri Lanka, while caring for the environment we live in,” stated Abans Group Chairperson Aban Pestonjee.

Pestonjee added: “Now, as Abans Group continues to grow, it is critical we continue to work closer than ever with the industry experts. Whilst Abans Group proceeds to build on its core strengths it will look to transform with the changing times to enable the business to move to a stronger position. Dinesh who is well-known for his unique perspective and sharp analytical mind will add great value to our business.”

Possessing diversified industry experience across the Government sector, private sector, and various industries, Weerakkody brings with him an impressive track record. Weerakkody is the current Chairman of Hatton National Bank PLC, the International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka, the National Human Resource Development Council of Sri Lanka, Cornucopia Sri Lanka and an Advisor to the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs. 

He was also the Chairman of the Government-appointed Committee to review the Banking Sector and NBFI consolidation and the Committee appointed to review the budgetary allocation for Education. He is a former Chairman of Commercial Bank Ceylon PLC, the Employees’ Trust Fund Board of Sri Lanka and was also an Advisor to the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka during 2002-2004. He currently serves on several private sector and public sector Boards. 

He is a graduate in Business Administration from ABE UK, a Fellow Member of both the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK) and the Certified Management Accountants (Sri Lanka), a Professional Member of the Singapore Human Resource Institute and holds an MBA from the University of Leicester, UK. 

He was conferred an honorary membership by the Institute of Personnel Management of Sri Lanka for his contribution to HR in 2008 and National Honours by the President of Sri Lanka in August. He is a Council Member of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon and the Institute of Directors of Sri Lanka, and is also a Member of the CIMA Asia Pac Industry Advisory Board and the Sri Lanka Cricket Financial Advisory Body. 

He is a recipient of many national awards; he is the recipient of a Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award in 1999 and an International Association of Lions Clubs National Achievers Award in 2008 for the advancement of good governance in the public sector.

Weerakkody has published widely on economics, banking and finance, HR, leadership, management, international relations and development issues. He is an author of six books and is a regular business speaker/commentator.

Commenting on the new appointment, Weerakkody said: “I am deeply honoured to take on this new role, and for the opportunity to add value to the company’s journey of growth, and evolution. Sri Lanka is poised for growth and now more than ever we need Sri Lankan businesses to rise to the new challenges that will come forth. I’m excited to be a part of Abans Retail Holdings, to leverage my proficiency to help guide the business as it prepares for the next level and I look forward to working closely with the family and the team.”