Dhammika to be appointed Chairman of Sampath Bank

Thursday, 29 December 2011 02:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A non entity a decade ago but today a proven young and highly influential business leader Dhammika Perera is tipped to be appointed as the Chairman of Sampath Bank Plc, the fastest growing private sector player in financial services industry of late.

Dhammika who via Vallibel One Plc holds 15% stake, is the largest shareholder in addition to being on the Board since August 2007. The appointment is widely considered as a key feather in Dhammika’s corporate cap apart from his current position as Secretary Ministry of Transport a personal choice of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Dhammika is also Deputy Chairman of Hayleys Plc in addition to heading one of his listed investment holding company Vallibel One Plc.The appointment is likely at today’s Board meeting where founder director and current Chairman Arthur Senanayake steps down after steering Sampath for three years and serving the Board since March 1987.

Senanayake along with Deputy Chairman Sunil Wijesinha and three other longstanding directors are slated to step down at today’s Board meeting.

In place of retiring directors Senanayake, Wijesinha (Director since October 1996), Lakshman Hettiaratchi (Director since December 1998), Mohan Abeynaike (Director since July 1995) and Denzil Gunaratne (Director since 1998 in addition to 1994 to 1997), Central Bank has cleared nominees former International Finance Corporation (IFC) Sri Lanka and Maldives Resident Representative Sanjiva Senanayake, Orit Apparels Chairman Channa Palansooriya, Hirdaramani CFO Ranil Pathirana, IWS Holdings Director Annika Senanayake and Hayleys Plc Head of Strategic Business Development Unit Deshal de Mel who is an economist.

This will make Sampath Bank to be empowered with one of the youngest Boards in corporate Sri Lank as it strives to aspire to be number one commercial bank in the medium term.