A financial services sector professional Mr. Nishaman Karunapala who possesses over 25 years
of experience, assumed duties as the General Manager / CEO of the HDFC Bank.
After assuming office as the CEO HDFC Mr. Nishaman told the gathering at the welcome
ceremony that he will work for the betterment of the bank aiming to meet and exceed customer
expectations through service excellence. He was optimistic about the bank’s future and said it is
needed to expand the product portfolio and operations.
Mr.Nishaman has experience particularly in the areas of corporate strategy, systems & process
development, risk management, business development; trade & project finance, leasing and
factoring.
He was the founding Director/Chief Executive Officer of Melsta Regal Finance Ltd – a former
subsidiary of Melstacorp PLC for over five years; prior to its acquisition by a consortium of
foreign and private equity investors. Nishaman led the strategizing and positioning of the entity
as a revolutionary player in the industry with novel product offerings. Subsequently, he also
served as CEO of the Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance PLC and Director of MBSL
Insurance Co. Ltd.
He was a Vice Chairman of the Financial Houses Association and has twice served as the
Chairman of the Leasing Association of Sri Lanka. He was also a committee member of the
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, a former Director of the Credit Information Bureau of Sri Lanka
and a Council Member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Credit Management.
Nishaman’s 35-year career commenced at reputed multinationals such as A. Baur & Co. Ltd. and
Ansell Lanka. In the financial services industry, he led the establishment of Orient Finance PLC
in 2003 and served 9 years until his departure as Deputy General Manager. He has also held key
roles at Seylan Merchant Bank and Mercantile Leasing Limited. His training and exposure spans
across UK, Ireland, Singapore, India, Japan and the Philippines in relation to systems and
operational procedures of reputed corporates & financial institutions.
He currently holds Directorships in the Lassana Flora Group. As a Management Consultant,
Nishaman has advised entities in e-commerce, agriculture, manufacturing and hospitality sectors
in areas of securing local and foreign-funded grants and debt financing. He has also provided
strategic guidance to strengthen governance, operational performance and facilitate external
equity financing.
He received his MBA- Banking & Finance from the Post Graduate Institute of Management
(PIM), and a BSC-Business Administration (Special) Degree from the University of Sri
Jayewardenepura. He also holds a Postgraduate Level Diploma in Modern Commercial Banking
from PIM and is a Member of the Certified Management Accountants (Australia).
Picture Mr. Nishaman Karunapala assuming duties as the General Manager/CEO of HDFC Bank. The
bank’s Chairperson Mrs. Wasanthi Manchanayake looks on.
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