Sarvodaya development finance welcomes Ramya Suranjani Wickremeratne as non-execute independent director

Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC (SDF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Ramya Suranjani Wickremeratne as a Non-Executive, Independent Director (NEID), with effect from the 1st of August 2024. This appointment has received all necessary approvals from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) in accordance with Section 3.2 of the Finance Business Act [Assessment of Fitness and Propriety of Key Responsible Persons (KRP)] Direction No.06 of 2021. Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC is Sri Lanka’s leading non-bank development finance institution, supporting underserved rural and urban communities with a focus on the agricultural sector. 

Ms Wickremeratne brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the SDF board. Her professional background is marked by significant contributions to the banking and audit. She served as the Head of Audit at Deutsche Bank AG, Colombo Branch, from 1995 to 2009, conducting operational audits and engaging with regional and global operations units across multiple countries. Her early career includes roles as Accountant and Administration Manager at the Plantation Housing and Social Welfare Trust, and as a Senior Auditor at Ernst & Young, where she gained substantial experience in management and financial audits.

Academically, Ms Wickremeratne holds an MBA from the University of Warwick, UK, and is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (ACMA). She is an alumna of St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo 7, and the University of Colombo, where she currently serves as Vice Chairperson of the Alumni Association. Her extensive qualifications, expertise in accounting and auditing, and her experience in leadership roles make Ms Wickremeratne a valuable addition to the Board of SDF. 

Her leadership extends to her position as Chairperson of Sri Lanka Sumithrayo, a charity incorporated by an Act of Parliament and registered as an NGO, which is dedicated to suicide prevention through its extensive island-wide services. Additionally, she is also the Founder President of the Tarana Foundation, where she continues to uplift rural students, communities, and schools.

As the current President of Dental Care International, an International NGO, she has successfully led, and continues to lead, initiatives to train girls from children’s homes and low-income families to become Dental Surgery Nurse Assistants. Her commitment to social causes is further demonstrated through her role on the Board of Trustees of the Damrivi Foundation, a Buddhist charity focused on counselling and developing the spiritual, social, and economic wellbeing of society.  Ms Wickremeratne’s commitment to social upliftment is also well-aligned with SDF’s commitment to supporting financial inclusion in underserved communities. 

Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC is a prominent non-banking financial institution in Sri Lanka, dedicated to fostering sustainable economic development and financial inclusion. Rooted in the principles of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, founded on the ideals of sustainable development and community empowerment, Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC focuses on supporting underserved communities, particularly in the agricultural sector. By prioritising social responsibility alongside financial performance, Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC is contributing towards the holistic and sustainable development of Sri Lanka’s economy. 

Ramya Suranjani Wickremeratne - non-executive independent director