Veteran banker Bhanu Wijayaratne becomes OPA President-Elect for 2026/27

Bhanu Wijayaratne 

Bhanu Wijayaratne, a distinguished banking and financial services professional with over four decades of experience, was elected President-Elect of the Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA) for the 2026- 2027 term at the 51st Annual General Meeting, held on 30 October 2026. 

Following his tenure as President-Elect, he will assume the Presidency of the OPA for the 2027-2028 term. 

His election marks a significant milestone in a professional career in banking and finance, serving in senior executive leadership, institutional governance, professional service and a sustained commitment to the advancement of the country’s professional community.

An alumnus of the Royal College, Wijayaratne possesses an impressive portfolio of academic qualifications and professional credentials. He holds a Master’s Degree in Financial Economics from the University of Colombo and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Manipal. He is a Senior Fellow of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (FIBs -SL) and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Professional Managers (FCPM). He also holds   membership of the Institute of Internal Auditors, USA (Sri Lankan Chapter). Beyond his distinguished career in banking and financial services, Wijayaratne possesses a strong grounding in economics and maintains professional memberships in both the Sri Lanka Economic Association and Institute of Quality and Productivity Management- Sri Lanka.  

Over the course of his distinguished career, he has undertaken several senior executive responsibilities in the banking and finance sector including Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Risk Officer, Chief Internal Auditor and Group Head of Audit. His areas of professional expertise encompass banking management, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, risk management and internal audit. These responsibilities have provided him with extensive exposure to institutional leadership, strategic decision-making and the governance frameworks essential to organisational integrity and effectiveness.

In conjunction with his corporate career, Wijayaratne has made a noteworthy contribution to professional education, knowledge and skills development. His academic engagements include lecturing at the College of Banking and Finance Studies of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka and the Centre for Banking Studies of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. He has also served as a visiting lecturer to graduate and postgraduate programs at several private universities and higher educational institutions, in addition to delivering lectures and professional development sessions at numerous institutions by invitation.

His commitment to professional service extends well beyond his corporate responsibilities. He has served the Association of Professional Bankers of Sri Lanka in several important leadership capacities, including Treasurer, Vice President and Senior Vice President, and currently serves on its Council of Advisors. He has also served as General Secretary and Chairman of the Association of Compliance Officers of Banks - Sri Lanka.

Within OPA, Wijayaratne has demonstrated sustained leadership and an active commitment to advancing the Organisation’s institutional mandate. Having served as Vice President and Chairman of the National Issues Committee (NIC) for three consecutive years, he has played an instrumental role in strengthening OPA’s engagement on matters of national importance and creating avenues through which multidisciplinary professional expertise to contribute towards public policy and national development.

Through the National Issues Committee, he has supported professional deliberations, seminars and initiatives addressing critical national concerns, including economic challenges, energy and supply-chain resilience, governance, anti-money laundering and countering   financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), public-sector effectiveness and environmental sustainability. His approach has consistently emphasised the importance of moving beyond discussion towards evidence-based recommendations, constructive engagement and practical outcomes.

He has also been actively involved in strengthening OPA’s engagement with Government institutions, exploring opportunities to mobilise the specialised knowledge and capabilities of its Member Associations in addressing national priorities. His vision recognises the considerable potential of OPA to serve as a credible professional resource to policymakers and public institutions.

In addition, Wijayaratne served as the Convener of the 39th OPA Annual Conference and Chairman of its Technical Sessions Committee, held under the theme “Envisioning Sri Lanka: Beyond Recovery.” The conference brought together distinguished personalities and professionals from diverse disciplines to deliberate on the challenges, opportunities and strategic imperatives shaping Sri Lanka’s future. 

His contributions to the Organisation have also extended to strengthening its external relations and broadening its international engagement. He played an instrumental role in initiating diplomatic engagement, including interactions with the Ambassador of Vietnam, which opened avenues for exploring areas of mutual interest in trade, investment and socioeconomic development. He has also contributed to the introduction of the OPA’s Anthem, an initiative that embodies the unity, shared identity and collective aspirations of Sri Lanka’s professional community

In presenting his vision for the Organisation ahead of his election as President-Elect, Wijayaratne advanced the theme, “Strengthening OPA: Uniting Professional Excellence for National Progress”, setting out a forward-looking agenda centred on institutional unity, the consolidation of professional excellence and a renewed commitment to national progress.

At the heart of this vision, lies the conviction that OPA’s greatest institutional strength is derived from the collective knowledge, professional expertise and intellectual capabilities of its 52 Member Associations from 32 diverse professions. He believes that the Organisation’s future influence will depend on its ability to unite these diverse professional constituencies and channel their collective strengths towards a common national purpose.-His proposed priorities encompass five key areas: strengthening unity and inclusiveness among Member Associations; translating professional expertise into tangible national impact; building strategic partnerships; enhancing OPA’s visibility and influence; and strengthening institutional effectiveness and continuity.

Wijayaratne’s vision seeks to build upon this institutional strength, fostering a more united, engaged and influential professional community while reinforcing OPA’s contribution to the economic, social and institutional progress of Sri Lanka.

His forthcoming leadership journey will therefore be guided by a clear and purposeful ambition: to strengthen the Organisation, unite its professional constituencies and translate the collective excellence of its membership into meaningful national progress, the OPA said.