SDB bank Appoints Industry Veteran Aruna Jayasekera as Chief Human Resources Officer

SDB bank has announced the appointment of Aruna Jayasekera as its new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), marking another milestone in the Bank’s strategy to bring in proven industry experts who can elevate organisational standards and accelerate its transformation journey. This appointment reflects SDB bank’s renewed focus on strengthening its people agenda, enhancing the Employee Value Proposition (EVP), and building a culture that empowers employees to thrive.

Aruna Jayasekera is a seasoned HR professional with a distinguished multi-sector career spanning legal, marketing, manufacturing, banking, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and agriculture. He brings extensive local and international experience, having led diverse teams and driven organisational growth across multiple industries. His final appointment before joining SDB bank was Group Head of HR at CIC Holdings PLC, and he held key leadership roles including Group Chief Human Resource Officer at Sampath Bank, Chief People Officer at Sri Lanka Telecom, Regional HR Manager, Asia at Ansell Lanka, and State Counsel at the Attorney General’s Department.

A respected figure in the HR fraternity, Aruna holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Colombo and is an Attorney-at-Law. He is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and was honoured with the prestigious HR Gold Medal – Most Outstanding HR Professional of the Year 2007, becoming the youngest recipient of the award. He is also a Certified Executive Coach, Wellness Coach, and a visiting lecturer at the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) and CIPM.

Beyond his corporate contributions, Aruna is also known for his achievements in sports. A former international rugby referee appointed by the Asian Rugby Football Union, he currently serves as a Judicial Officer for World Rugby. His sporting career includes representing CR & FC, captaining the University of Colombo, and earning accolades for excellence in rugby.

At SDB bank, Aruna will lead the development of a strategic HR roadmap aimed at strengthening culture, driving performance and fostering a future-ready leadership pipeline. His expertise in HR and IR strategy, performance transformation, compensation structuring, and rewards and recognition will play a central role in strengthening the Bank’s Employee Value Proposition.

SDB bank stated that Aruna’s appointment underscores its commitment to placing people at the heart of its growth strategy. As the Bank continues to evolve, building an empowered, engaged, and high-performing workforce remains a key priority, and the leadership of a seasoned professional like Aruna Jayasekera will be instrumental in that journey.

About SDB bank:

A future-ready bank, dedicated to offering customer-centric and comprehensive support tailored to each individual's needs, SDB bank is a licensed specialized bank regulated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, with a listing on the Main Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange and a Fitch Rating of BB +(lka). Through the network of 94 branches island-wide, the bank provides a comprehensive range of financial services to its Retail, SME, Co-operative, and Business Banking clients across the country. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are deeply ingrained in SDB bank's ethos, with a steadfast focus on uplifting local communities and businesses through sustainable practices. The bank is particularly committed to promoting women's empowerment, sustainable development of SMEs, and digital inclusion, aiming to propel Sri Lanka to new heights.