HNB’s Piyal D. Hennayake at helm of Association of Professional Bankers

Wednesday, 12 March 2014 01:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Association of Professional Bankers (APB) elected Piyal D. Hennayake as its President at the AGM held on 7 March at HNB Towers. He succeeds Aravinda Perera, MD/CEO of Sampath Bank. Hennayake is the Deputy General Manager – Services of Hatton National Bank PLC and CEO/Director of its subsidiary Sithma Development Ltd. He graduated from Moratuwa University in 1982 with Second class upper Degree in Civil Engineering and obtained Post Graduate Diploma in Engineering (Construction Management) in 1991. Hennayake completed his MBA in Management of Technology from Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in 1992. He joined CECB as a Civil Engineer after graduation and worked in several projects until 1990. Following the MBA he changed his career and moved to Lanka Ventures Ltd., as the Portfolio Manager in 1992. He commenced his banking career in 1995 joining HNB as the Senior Manager – Project Finance. He rose to the position of AGM – Project Finance and in 2004 was appointed to head three regions managing 35 branches. The Association of Professional Bankers (APB) of Sri Lanka is the highest body in the banking industry with a membership of over 1000 professional bankers and is affiliated to the Organization of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA). The APB as its prime objective steers the development of its members, fellow bankers and works towards improving professionalism and upgrading the standards of the banking industry. APB has completed 25 years and Hennayake is the President in the 26th year of APB following in footsteps of a rich tradition, led by founder President (HNB’s own) Rienzie T. Wijetilleke followed by Upali De Silva, Nihal Kekulawela and Rajendra Theagarajah. MD/CEO of HNB Jonathan Alles commenting on the election said HNB is very happy to have yet another Corporate Management member elected as the President of APB. He added that it reflects HNB’s commitment to the industry and the Association of Professional Bankers.