NDB Bank hosts forum in Kurunegala to empower and elevate exporters

NDB Vice President – SME, Middle Markets and Business Banking Indika Ranaweera

From left: Moderator, Chief Manager/Zonal Head of Business Banking Nilendra Vithanage, Export Development Board (EDB) Acting Director – Regional Development D.M.P. Dissanayake, NDB Vice President – Treasury Damitha Samaranayake, Vice President – SME, Middle Markets and Business Banking Indika Ranaweera, and Assistant Vice President – Transaction Banking and Trade Operations Thilanke S. Weerasinghe

NDB Bank continued its ongoing commitment to strengthening Sri Lanka’s export sector by hosting yet another successful Exporter’s Forum on 4 April. 

Held in the heart of the Northwestern region, Kurunegala, the event brought together a distinguished audience of exporters and key stakeholders to engage in insightful discussions centred around exporter development and the strategic role of NDB’s Business Banking services in accelerating growth.

The forum served as a vital knowledge-sharing platform, focused on unlocking the potential of local entrepreneurs and SMEs with export aspirations. NDB’s leadership team presented tailored financial solutions, advisory services, and capacity-building support that are essential to helping Sri Lankan exporters thrive in an evolving global marketplace.

The event commenced with a welcome and program introduction by NDB Vice President – SME, Middle Markets and Business Banking Indika Ranaweera, who outlined the bank’s long-standing efforts in facilitating the growth of Sri Lanka’s exporter base. His remarks set a tone for the forum, emphasising NDB’s strategic focus on supporting business banking clients in transitioning into internationally competitive exporters. 

Gracing the occasion as the guest speaker was Export Development Board Director – Industrial Products Manoja Dissanayake who provided valuable perspectives on Sri Lanka’s industrial capabilities and how local enterprises can align their offerings to global demand trends. Her address highlighted the importance of resilience, product innovation, and institutional support to boost the country’s industrial export capacity.

A thought-provoking panel discussion followed, delving into critical topics related to trade finance, treasury management, transaction banking, and export facilitation. The panel featured NDB’s senior leadership, including Vice President – SME, Middle Markets and Business Banking Indika Ranaweera, Vice President – Treasury Damitha Samaranayake, and Assistant Vice President – Transaction Banking and Trade Operations Thilanke S. Weerasinghe. Joining them was Export Development Board (EDB) Acting Director – Regional Development D.M.P. Dissanayake bringing a national policy perspective to the discussion. The session was expertly moderated by NDB Chief Manager/Zonal Head of Business Banking Nilendra Vithanage.

The discussion offered participants actionable insights into navigating the export journey—from initial market entry to managing international transactions and exchange risks and scaling globally with the support of NDB’s full spectrum of business banking solutions.

Through this forum, NDB Bank once again reaffirmed its dedication to empowering Sri Lankan exporters—not just with robust financial instruments but with a broader ecosystem of knowledge, guidance, and strategic partnership. As the country moves forward on its export-led growth trajectory, NDB remains a committed enabler of opportunity, resilience, and long-term success for its clients.