Trade Finance Association of Bankers holds 28th Annual General Meeting

Seated (from left): Assistant Treasurer Shehani Peter, Treasurer Harsha Indika Silva, Vice President Indika Prasad Liyanage, President Shyam De Silva, Senior Vice President K.R. Naguleswaran, Secretary General Kapila Susantha, and Assistant Secretary Kanchana De Silva

Standing (from left): Kumari Bastiansz, Shailajah Sukumaran, Ruwini Sumanasinghe, W.G.T. Sanjeewa Rajarathna, Niranjan Debare, T. Lakshana Sumudu Dilruk Fernando, A.A. Ramesh, Anuradha Amarasinghe, Delano Shanaka Weimen, Kesara Balasuriya, G.A.N. Samanthie, Fernando, Devinka Kulathunga, Thilanka Sandamali Ranepura

Absent: Immediate Past President Rochelle Fernando and Editor Daham Garadiarachchci 

The Trade Finance Association of Bankers (TFAB) successfully held its 28th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 19 February at the Bank of Ceylon Auditorium in Colombo. 

As the only association representing trade finance practitioners in Sri Lanka, the TFAB continues to foster industry knowledge, collaboration, and professional growth.

Since its establishment on 11 November 1997, the TFAB has been committed to enhancing expertise in trade finance through seminars, lectures, training programs, study tours, discussions, and newsletters. A flagship event in its calendar is the Interbank Trade Finance Quiz and Social, which serves as a platform for knowledge-sharing and professional networking. The association also leverages digital platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook to keep members engaged and informed. 

During the AGM, the organisation unveiled its newly developed Vision, Mission, Values, and Objectives statement.

The TFAB plays a vital role in Sri Lanka’s international trade finance sector, collaborating closely with key regulatory institutions, including the Import and Export Control Department, Sri Lanka Customs, and the Department of Foreign Exchange at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). These partnerships contribute to improving trade policies, addressing industry challenges, and developing effective solutions.

The Association boasts a strong membership base, comprising all Licenced Commercial Banks and Specialised Banks in Sri Lanka. The TFAB is guided by an esteemed Advisory Committee consisting of veterans in the trade finance sector, ensuring the continued growth and excellence of the industry.

Incumbent President Hatton National Bank Assistant Vice President – Centralised Trade Operations Shyam De Silva was re-elected at the AGM as President of the Association for the year 2025/2026. 

De Silva is a professional banker with over 25 years of experience at Hatton National Bank and has worked in areas such as system implementation, offshore banking, and trade finance, with predominant exposure in both export and import segments. He is an Associate Member of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka. He has previously held the positions of Secretary General, Treasurer, Vice President, and Senior Vice President of the Association.

The newly elected President in his speech highlighted the challenges the industry is facing, such as unprecedented technological advancements, shifting global dynamics, and evolving regulatory landscapes. 

He stressed his commitment to collaborating closely with the council through four key approaches to address the challenges outlined above.

1. Foster innovation: We will continue to encourage the adoption of new technologies that can enhance transparency, improve efficiency, and lower costs. From block chain to artificial intelligence, we will remain at the forefront of the digital revolution in trade finance. 

2. Strengthen industry collaboration: Now more than ever, our collaboration is essential. By working together with banks, regulators, technology providers, and other stakeholders, we can tackle the challenges of compliance, risk management, and sustainability in ways that benefit all players in the ecosystem. 

3. Advocate for global standards: As the world becomes more interconnected, establishing uniform standards will be crucial in reducing friction in global trade. We will continue to work with international bodies and standard-setting organisations to ensure that trade finance remains a reliable and accessible tool for businesses worldwide. 

4. Support professional development: Our strength lies in the expertise and dedication of our members. I will focus on providing more opportunities for professional growth, education, and knowledge-sharing so that we can all adapt to the rapidly changing landscape and stay ahead of the curve. 

He emphasised that his goal will be to build upon the strong foundation laid by his predecessors and guide this Association through the dynamic landscape that is shaping the future of trade finance. 

The AGM concluded on a positive note, reinforcing the Association’s commitment to fostering growth and collaboration within the sector. Members expressed optimism about the future and a strong willingness to work together to navigate industry challenges.

The following members were elected as office-bearers of the TFAB for the year 2025/2026 during the AGM.

• President: Hatton National Bank PLC Assistant Vice President – Centralised Trade Operations Shyam De Silva
• Senior Vice President: DFCC Bank PLC Assistant Vice President – Financial Institutions and Correspondent Banking K.R. Naguleswaran 
• Vice President: National Development Bank Chief Manager – Trade Finance Indika Prasad Liyanage 
• Secretary General: Bank of Ceylon AGM Trade Services K. Kapila Susantha
• Assistant Secretary: Union Bank of Colombo PLC Chief Manager – Trade Services Kanchana De Silva 
• Treasurer: Citibank N.A. Trade Operations Head Harsha Indika Silva
• Assistant Treasurer: Standard Chartered Bank Head Trade Operations Shehani Peter
• Editor: Daham Garadiarachchi (The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd.)
• Council Members: Niranjan Dabare (Deutsche Bank AG), Devinka Kulathunga (Public Bank), Kumari Bastiansz (Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC), A.A. Ramesh Anuradha Amarasinghe (State Bank of India), T. Lakshana Sumudu Dilruk Fernando (Amana Bank PLC), Shanaka Delano Weimenm (Cargills Bank Ltd.), Thilanka Sandamali Ranepura (People’s Bank), Ruwini Sumanasinghe (Nations Trust Bank), W.G.T. Sanjeewa Rajarathna (Sampath Bank PLC), G.A.N. Samanthie Fernando (MCB Bank Ltd.), Shailajah Sukumaran (Pan Asia Banking Corporation Ltd.), Kesara Balasuriya (Seylan Bank PLC)
• Immediate Past President: Bank of Ceylon DGM – Recovery Provinces Rochelle Fernando