Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC (SDF) has announced the appointment of Mr. Saliya J. Ranasinghe as a Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director of the Company, with effect from 1 June 2026.
Mr. Ranasinghe brings to the Board more than 35 years of experience across financial inclusion, banking, microfinance, green finance, renewable energy and the development sector. His career spans a wide range of regional and international assignments, with particular emphasis on strengthening inclusive financial systems and supporting development finance initiatives across Asia-Pacific markets.
He previously served as Financial Inclusion Advisor to the Bank of Papua New Guinea’s Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI), and has also worked as a financial product development specialist for microfinance and employment-related projects. His leadership experience includes serving as Team Leader for the Microfinance Expansion Project and as Executive Director of CEFI.
Mr. Ranasinghe has worked extensively with leading bilateral and multilateral agencies, including the World Bank, IFC, Asian Development Bank, UNCDF, ODA UK and the Dutch Development Corporation. His professional engagements have covered project design, consultancy, implementation leadership and development project management, with a strong focus on financial inclusion, microfinance and sustainable economic development.
He is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK, a Member of the Chartered Global Management Accountant, USA, and a Fellow Member of the Society of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka. He is also an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Banking and Business Management in Papua New Guinea.
In addition to his international development finance work, Mr. Ranasinghe has held voluntary and advisory roles linked to the Sarvodaya movement, including serving as Vice President of Lanka Jathika Sarvodaya Society International, with a focus on finance and economic development.
Mr. Ranasinghe’s appointment is expected to further strengthen SDF’s Board by bringing deep expertise in inclusive finance, microfinance, development finance and sustainability-linked financial services. His experience aligns closely with SDF’s mandate as a purpose-driven licensed finance company committed to serving underserved communities, supporting productive sectors and advancing responsible, impact-oriented financial solutions in Sri Lanka.
