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Wednesday, 9 January 2013 02:11 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shabiya Ali Ahlam
Newly-appointed General Manager of Bank of Ceylon D.M. Gunasekara yesterday expressed confidence of steering the State giant to greater heights despite challenges.
“It is a challenging and responsible position,” Gunasekara told the Daily FT soon after assuming duties at the auspicious time.
“With my experience, expertise, and exposure, along with the service extended by my dedicated staff, I can steer the bank in the direction of utmost 
success,” added Gunasekara, who counts 30 years of service at BOC and was previously the Deputy General Manager Retail Banking.
BOC said the new General Manager was geared and looking forward to face the challenges and competition in the banking industry of Sri Lanka and ensure in maintaining the ‘Bankers to the Nation’ status.
Hailed as the 19th General Manager at BOC, Gunasekara succeeded K. Dharmasiri who retired on Monday. Bank of Ceylon Chairman Dr. Gamini Wickramasinghe, who also incidentally relinquished his office after a six-year stint, was present when the new General Manager took office. Also present at the event were Gunasekara’s wife and children.
“BOC is a bank that understands the diverse needs of the Sri Lankan people, it is my pleasure to state that we are in a process of making arrangements to transform the strides of the journey we have travelled thus far in a more exceptional manner,” the new General Manager said.
“While growing our islandwide banking services network, we have plans to expand our presence internationally. The technological advancement will result in simplifying banking transaction process for our customers and in doing so all of our financial services will be innovative, through the technology of tomorrow,” he added.
The Bank of Ceylon Staff Officers’ Association said: “We trust that Mr. Gunasekara is capable of meeting challenges ahead of the bank in respect of doubling the assets and profits of the bank while preparing the younger staff to take over the baton in the race.”
Gunasekara counts for 29 years of experience in the banking sector with exposure in corporate banking, international banking, and off-shore banking along with exposure in retail banking. He is also recognised by BOC for having sound knowledge and experience in credit management and administration.
BOC’s new GM has been a Non-Executive Nominee at Ceybank Asset Management Ltd. since August 2010 and Ceybank Holiday Homes Ltd. since June 2009. He has also served as a Non-Executive Nominee Director on the Board of Merchant Credit of Sri Lanka from 2008 to 2009.
Kicking off his career with retail banking, Gunasekara served at the BOC London branch for a period of three years from 1997 to 2000 where he gained comprehensive experience in international banking operations.
Gunasekara is an Associate Faculty Member of the BOC training institute and has readily responded to the uplifting of knowledge of the BOC staff.
