Seylan Bank appoints Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare as Chairman

Seylan Bank PLC has announced the appointment of Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare, PC, who is set to assume the role of Chairman of the Board, effective from 29 May 2024.

The transition follows the retirement of the current Chairman, Ravi Dias, who will complete his nine-year tenure as a Director of the Bank on May 28, 2024, in accordance with the Banking Act Direction No. 11 of 2007 (Corporate Governance).

Justice Aluwihare was appointed as an Independent, Non-Executive Director of Seylan Bank PLC in February 2024.

Justice Aluwihare brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the legal and financial sectors, to his new role, having held various distinguished positions throughout his career.

His illustrious career extends across decades of service in the legal and judicial sectors. After being called to the Bar in 1982, he joined the Attorney General's Department as a State Counsel and rose through the ranks to become an Additional Solicitor General in 2013. In the same year, he was conferred 'silk' and appointed as a President's Counsel. Justice Aluwihare has also served as a Judge of the Supreme Court in Sri Lanka and Fiji Islands and a member of the Judicial Service Commission and the Board of Management of the Judges Training Institute.

In addition to his legal career, Justice Aluwihare has also worked for the United Nations as a Prosecutor in East Timor, prosecuting war-related crimes before the Serious Crimes Panel.

Throughout his career, Justice Aluwihare has also been involved in legal education, serving as an examiner and lecturer in Law of Evidence at the Sri Lanka Law College and as a visiting lecturer/examiner at the Kothalawela Defence University in International Humanitarian Law.

Recently, Justice Aluwihare was appointed by the Cabinet as the Chairman of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Terrorism Task Force, highlighting his commitment to upholding the highest standards of governance and compliance.

The appointment of Justice Aluwihare as the new Chairman of Seylan Bank PLC marks a significant milestone in the Bank's journey towards continued growth and success. With his exceptional legal acumen, coupled with extensive experience in the financial sector Justice Aluwihare is poised to provide strategic guidance and vision, enabling Seylan Bank PLC to continue to enrich the nation and become Sri Lanka's leading financial services provider.

Seylan Bank PLC extends its gratitude to the outgoing Chairman, Mr. Ravi Dias, for his invaluable contributions and leadership during his tenure. The Bank remains committed to upholding its legacy of excellence and delivering exceptional financial services to all customers.