Pan Asia Bank appoints new Chairman, Deputy Chairperson as the bank announced a new leadership team effective 3 August 2026, with B.D.A. Perera taking over as Chairman and Ayodhya Iddawela Perera assuming the role of Deputy Chairperson.
Pan Asia Bank appoints new Chairman, Deputy Chairperson effective August 3, 2026
The appointments mark a new chapter for Pan Asia Bank, following a planned leadership transition after the completion of the former chairman’s long tenure.
The bank confirmed that B.D.A. Perera was appointed Chairman with effect from 3 August 2026, succeeding Aravinda Perera, who served as Chairman for nine years. B.D.A. Perera has been a member of the Board since April 2021 and most recently held the positions of Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Director from November 2024.
Bringing more than two decades of experience in the leasing and financial services sector, Perera currently serves as Executive Director of L.B. Finance PLC and its Myanmar subsidiary, L.B. Microfinance Myanmar Company Ltd. Throughout his career, he has also held senior leadership positions at Commercial Leasing Company Ltd, Lanka ORIX Leasing Company PLC and Merchant Bank Bangladesh, building extensive expertise in financial services and corporate management.
His professional qualifications include Associate Membership of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), United Kingdom. He also holds a Bachelor of Science Special Degree in Business Administration from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and has completed the High Potentials Leadership Programme at Harvard Business School.
Alongside the appointment of the new Chairman, Pan Asia Bank appoints new Chairman, Deputy Chairperson with Ayodhya Iddawela Perera taking on the position of Deputy Chairperson. She joined the bank’s Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director in April 2026 and brings more than 36 years of experience in the banking industry across Sri Lanka and international markets.
Ayodhya Iddawela Perera most recently served as Managing Director of Sampath Bank PLC from July 2023 until September 2025. During her career, she has built a strong reputation in banking leadership, governance and financial sector development.
Her governance experience extends across several leading financial institutions. She has served as a director of Lanka Financial Services Bureau Ltd, LankaPay (Pvt) Ltd, National Credit Guarantee Institution Ltd and Sampath Centre Ltd. In addition, she has contributed to the broader banking industry through board positions at the Sri Lanka Banks’ Association and the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka.
Academically, she holds a Master of Business Administration from the Postgraduate Institute of Management at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and an Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting awarded by CIMA, UK. She has also completed her professional banking studies up to Associateship level and is recognised as a Senior Fellow of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka.
The latest appointments reinforce Pan Asia Bank’s focus on strengthening its corporate governance and leadership capabilities as the institution continues its growth strategy in Sri Lanka’s competitive banking sector. The combination of B.D.A. Perera’s experience in finance and leasing together with Ayodhya Iddawela Perera’s extensive expertise in commercial banking is expected to provide continuity while supporting the bank’s long-term strategic objectives.
With Pan Asia Bank appoints new Chairman, Deputy Chairperson marking a significant leadership transition, the bank enters its next phase under a team that brings decades of experience in finance, governance and banking leadership, positioning the institution to navigate future opportunities in Sri Lanka’s evolving financial services industry.