The Chairman’s post at Hatton National bank (HNB) that fell vacant with the resignation of Dr. Rani Jayamaha has now been filled by President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsacularatne with effect from 01 May 2015.

Ms. M.A.R.C. Cooray who was acting in place of Dr. Jayamaha relinquishes her post as Acting Chairperson leaving room for Mr. Arsacularatne.

Meanwhile, four Non Executive Independent Directors have been appointed with effect from 30 April 2015 and they have received the approval of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s Director of Bank Supervision.

Accordingly, Rienzie Arsacularatne PC, Palitha Pelpola, D. Soosaipillai and A.N. de Silva would be the HNB’s new Non Executive Independent Directors.

The government had recently notified in writing to the heads of several leading private banks where it has a stake hold that they should resign and hence NDB Chairman Sunil Wijesinha resigned while bowing to this request.

Similarly, while Dr. Rani Jayamaha who was the Chairperson of Hatton National Bank too resigned, several heads of private banks took steps to challenge this government directive.

The government holds nearly 33 per cent stake at the NDB and about 28 per cent at the Hatton National Bank.

The following are brief profiles of the newly appointed Directors: