SDB bank has announced the appointment of Manoj Akmeemana as its Chief Executive Officer, placing a highly respected banker with more than 35 years of financial sector experience at the helm to lead the bank’s strategic business expansion and digital transformation, while advancing its core mission of empowering micro, small and medium enterprises across Sri Lanka.

Akmeemana brings extensive experience in financial services, spanning corporate, SME and retail banking, strategy, branch operations, credit administration and recoveries. Before assuming executive leadership at SDB bank, he had a distinguished career at Sampath Bank PLC, where he served in senior executive roles reporting directly to top management.

As Senior Deputy General Manager of Credit Control, Credit Administration, Recoveries and Legal, he led the strategic management of distressed credit portfolios, business revival, restructuring and legal recovery frameworks.

In earlier executive positions, including Senior Deputy General Manager of FCBU and Corporate Finance, Chief Strategy Officer and Deputy General Manager of Branch Banking, he oversaw corporate financing instruments, overseas lending, renewable energy financing, syndicated loans, branch networks and initiatives to grow low cost deposits. He also integrated strategic frameworks such as the Balanced Scorecard across the bank’s subsidiaries.

His career includes international experience as Head of Authorisation at the Commercial Bank of Qatar, where he directed operations for major international card schemes. Throughout his tenure, he served on key governance bodies, including the Main Board, Asset and Liability Management Committee, Credit Policy and Risk Review Committee, and Investment Committee.

Akmeemana’s career in financial leadership is supported by a strong academic foundation. An alumnus of Royal College, Colombo 07, he pursued his higher education at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Special Degree in Business Administration, followed by a Master of Business Administration from the Postgraduate Institute of Management.

A committed lifelong learner, he holds an extensive range of professional qualifications and memberships. These include Senior Fellow Member and Associate of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka; Chartered Marketer (UK) and Professional Postgraduate Diploma holder from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK); Associate Member of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (UK/Australia); Postgraduate Diplomas in Bank Management and Credit Management; and a Cambridge International Diploma in Management with a Merit Pass in Strategic Planning from the University of Cambridge, UK.

Beyond corporate leadership, Akmeemana is a published author and contributor to national economic discourse. In September 2024, he authored and published the textbook “LENDING: Concepts, Theory & Practice”, a guide for banking professionals and academics. He has also authored numerous research papers and articles on corporate governance, interest rate spreads, macroeconomic reform and financial inclusion at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

His expertise in corporate lending, SME growth, strategy and risk management will support SDB bank’s commitment to sustainable development, customer focused innovation and nationwide economic progress.