Sampath Bank has appointed Dilip de S. Wijeyeratne as Deputy Chairman, effective 10 September 2026, strengthening its leadership as the financial institution advances its strategic priorities and continues its transformation into a purpose-led, technology-enabled bank.
Sampath Bank strengthens its leadership with a finance and governance veteran
Wijeyeratne brings extensive experience in banking, finance, risk management, compliance, investment banking and treasury, alongside a background in corporate governance, strategic planning and financial markets. His appointment adds further depth to the bank’s leadership as it focuses on sustainable growth, data-driven decision-making and the application of emerging technologies.
His association with Sampath Bank spans nearly eight years. He joined the bank in November 2018 as a Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director and was appointed an Independent Director in August 2019. He later served as Senior Independent Director from May 2022 before continuing as an Independent, Non-Executive Director from June 2026.
During his tenure, Wijeyeratne has taken on several important governance responsibilities. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board Audit Committee and contributes to the Sustainability, Human Resources and Remuneration, Treasury, Strategic Planning, Nominations and Governance, and Related Party Transactions Review committees.
These responsibilities have given him broad exposure to the bank’s financial oversight, risk management, sustainability agenda, strategic planning and governance processes. His familiarity with the institution is expected to support continuity while contributing to its evolving strategic direction.
A senior finance and banking professional and principal consultant, Wijeyeratne provides advisory services to organisations across the Middle East, Sri Lanka and Australia. His career includes senior positions with the HSBC Group in Bahrain, where he held responsibilities covering finance and operations, global markets and treasury, corporate treasury sales, and asset and liability management.
His experience at HSBC provided exposure to a wide range of financial and operational functions, including treasury management, financial markets and balance-sheet oversight. Following his corporate career, he moved into entrepreneurship and advisory services, offering financial and strategic consultancy to private and public sector organisations.
Wijeyeratne’s professional background extends beyond his responsibilities at Sampath Bank. He serves as Senior Independent Director of Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC and Hayleys Fibre PLC, and as an Independent, Non-Executive Director of Janashakthi Insurance PLC.
His board-level roles across these institutions have strengthened his exposure to financial oversight, corporate risk, business strategy and governance. This combination of executive banking experience and non-executive leadership is expected to support his contribution to Sampath Bank’s continued development.
Wijeyeratne is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK. He is also a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
His professional qualifications and experience in financial management, governance and strategic advisory work provide a strong foundation for his new role. They also align with the increasingly complex demands facing financial institutions as they navigate regulatory requirements, technological change and shifting customer expectations.
The appointment comes as Sampath Bank continues to strengthen its capabilities in technology, data and innovation. The bank has identified the intelligent use of artificial intelligence and data-driven systems as important components of its efforts to improve decision-making, enhance operational effectiveness and support long-term value creation.
Wijeyeratne’s forward-looking perspective is expected to complement these efforts. His experience across financial markets, risk, treasury and governance provides a relevant foundation for assessing how technology and emerging tools can be integrated into a financial institution’s broader strategic and operational framework.
For the bank, the Deputy Chairman role also comes at a time when financial institutions are increasingly balancing commercial performance with responsible growth. Customers, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders are placing greater emphasis on resilience, transparency, sustainability and the effective use of technology.
Wijeyeratne’s involvement in the bank’s audit, sustainability and strategic committees has already positioned him within several of these areas. His appointment to the deputy chairmanship builds on that experience and further formalises his contribution to the institution’s leadership structure.
The move reinforces Sampath Bank’s focus on combining experienced governance with innovation-led growth. As the bank continues to evolve its operating model, the appointment is expected to support its efforts to translate strategy and purpose into sustainable outcomes.
With nearly eight years of institutional experience at Sampath Bank and a career spanning international banking, financial advisory and corporate governance, Dilip de S. Wijeyeratne brings a broad perspective to the Deputy Chairman position. His appointment marks another step in the bank’s ongoing leadership and transformation journey.