Hennayake Bandara receives OPA APEX Award for Professional Excellence

Friday, 29 August 2025 02:56 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Hennayake Bandara (left) receives the award from Chief Guest, Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne at the 38th Annual Conference and 4th National Apex Awards Ceremony. OPA President Sujeewa Lal Dahanayake, President-elect Jayantha Gallehewa, and General Secretary Tisara De Silva are also present

Chartered and Certified Management Accountant and Banker Hennayake Bandara was recently bestowed with the most outstanding “APEX Award of the Professional Excellence” in the field of Finance and Banking for his contribution made to his profession and to nation.

He is a Founder Fellow Member of CMA Sri Lanka, Fellow Member of CA Sri Lanka, AAT Sri Lanka, Life Member of APB Sri Lanka, OPA and holder of B.Com (Special) Degree from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, is a distinguished leader whose career spans over four decades of excellence in banking and finance.

Bandara has dedicated over three decades to advancing the accountancy profession, serving as President of the South Asian Federation of Accountants(SAFA), President of Association of Accounting Technicians of Sri Lanka, Vice President of CMA Sri Lanka, Council Member of CA Sri Lanka and Institute of Advanced Technological Education. His commitment to multi-disciplinary collaboration is reflected in his leadership within the OPA as Vice President, Treasurer, Executive Council Member and General Forum Member. Internationally, he has represented Sri Lanka at the International Federation of Accountants, the Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants, and South Asian Federation of Accountants, contributing to policy and capacity-building discussions.

In the banking and finance sector, Bandara served over two decades, as a director of listed/unlisted companies including the General Manager/CEO at the National Savings Bank (NSB), delivering record performance. He has also held leadership roles as President of the Association of Professional Bankers and Advisory Council Member, director of Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Banks’ Association, the Financial Ombudsman Sri Lanka and represented Asia-Pacific on the Board of the World Savings Banks Institute, becoming the first Sri Lankan on the board of WSBI.

He is a recipient of the APB President’s Award and the Excellence in Business Management Award from CMA Sri Lanka. His leadership at NSB was recognised when its Annual Report became the most awarded in the bank’s history at local, regional, and international levels. He has also served on expert panels for the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and acted as a jury member for prestigious national and international awards.

Bandara has enhanced his expertise through advanced international training in Japan, Sweden, Tanzania, Washington DC, Scotland, Brussels, Vietnam, and Hungary, focusing on risk management, financial inclusion, and supervisory frameworks. His dedication extends to community development, financial literacy, and professional education, leaving a legacy of service, integrity, and leadership.