Monday Mar 09, 2026
Monday Mar 09, 2026
Monday, 9 March 2026 05:58 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
World Bank Group Country Manager Gevorg Sargsyan
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APB Sri Lanka President Anton Arumugam
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The 24th Memorial Oration of Late K. Sivagananathan and the Scholarship Awards Ceremony was held at the Bank of Ceylon Head Office Auditorium, bringing together leaders from Sri Lanka’s banking to honour the legacy of the distinguished banker and past President of the Association of Professional Bankers (APB).
The event celebrated Sivagananathan’s enduring contribution to the banking profession, particularly his vision of building strong financial institutions through the development of human capital and professional knowledge.
Delivering the opening remarks, Association of Professional Bankers (APB) Sri Lanka President Anton Arumugam, noted that it is a great honour for APB to continue the legacy of Sivagananathan, who made a significant contribution to the banking community and the development of professional banking education in Sri Lanka. He emphasised that APB remains committed to nurturing the next generation of banking professionals and strengthening the industry through knowledge, professional development, and community engagement.
A special milestone this year was the partnership between the Association of Professional Bankers and the KSMT Fund to jointly recognise and reward students who excelled in the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (IBSL) professional banking examinations. For the first time, APB matched the contribution of the KSMT Fund to provide scholarships to outstanding students, marking an important step in supporting young banking talent.
The event was further enriched by the presence of the World Bank Group Country Manager Gevorg Sargsyan for Sri Lanka and Maldives, who delivered the keynote address titled ‘’Sri Lanka’s Economy : Glass half full or half empty.’’ His insightful remarks added significant value and an important international perspective to the occasion.
KSMT Trust Fund Chairman Nathan Sivagananathan, also addressed the gathering, highlighting that supporting and nurturing future bankers was one of K. Sivagananathan’s key aspirations. He noted that bankers play a critical role in strengthening the economy and supporting national development, emphasising that a strong banking sector forms the backbone of a country’s economic progress.
The event concluded with the presentation of scholarships to high-performing 54 students, reflecting a shared commitment by APB and the KSMT Fund to invest in the development of future banking professionals and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of Sri Lanka’s financial sector.
