Mr. Maheel Kuragama was recently appointed as Chairman of the State Mortgage and Investment Bank, a leading state-owned institution with a rich history spanning over 9 decades. Mr. Kuragama is a distinguished senior banker, with over 32 years of extensive and varied experience in all areas of banking. Appointed as the Chairman in November 2024, Mr. Kuragama brings a wealth of knowledge in leadership, strategic planning and management to the role. He is an associate member of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (IBSL) and an alumnus of the Harvard Business School.

Sharing his thoughts on his appointment as Chairman, Mr. Kuragama stated, “I am glad to be associated with a prestigious institution like the SMIB and appreciate and value the opportunity. Together with the distinguished members of the Board, I wish to provide direction and leadership to the Management Team, led by the experienced and versatile General Manager/CEO, Mr. Thushara Asuramanna. Whilst growing our portfolio and profitability in contributing to the upliftment of the national economy would be our priority. Improving customer service standards through staff development and technological innovation will also be given much needed attention by the Board”.

Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Kuragama has held a variety of roles, including Branch Operations Administration, and Internal Audits, which underscores his depth and versatility. He played a key role in the Corporate Management Team and the Technical Advisory Team of Sampath Bank. His contributions to strategic contributions were a pivotal force in driving innovation, shaping key decision making, and ensuring operational excellence.

Mr. Asuramanna, General Manager/CEO of the State Mortgage and Investment Bank shared his thoughts on the appointment of the new Chairman, stating, ‘With Mr. Kuragama’s appointment, we are supremely confident that his leadership and vision will guide transformation across all sectors of the bank. His expertise and strategic insight will undoubtedly be a catalyst for growth and success, which will help push our institution in to a leading position amongst the nation’s financial institutions.”

Mr. Kuragama is renowned for his exceptional leadership and managerial acumen and has continuously championed innovation and efficiency. This has earned him recognition as a trusted professional, who is committed to advancing organisational growth and achieving excellence in the financial sector.

Photo captions:

• Chairman of the State Mortgage and Investment Bank, Maheel Kuragama
• General Manager/CEO of the State Mortgage and Investment Bank, I.T.Asuramanna