The SDB Bank Deputy CEO Appointment marks an important leadership milestone as the Bank strengthens its executive team to support long-term growth, disciplined execution, and institutional stability across Sri Lanka’s evolving financial sector.
SDB Bank Deputy CEO Appointment reinforces governance and execution focus
SDB Bank has announced the appointment of Mr. Manoj Akmeemana as Deputy Chief Executive Officer, underscoring the institution’s continued focus on strengthening senior leadership capacity to navigate an increasingly complex banking environment. The move aligns with the Bank’s broader strategy to enhance governance standards, execution discipline, and sustainable performance while advancing its long-term transformation agenda.
Mr. Akmeemana brings more than 35 years of experience in the financial services sector, with extensive exposure across corporate lending, credit administration, recoveries, legal coordination, and enterprise risk management. His career reflects a deep understanding of how sound credit practices and structured oversight contribute to balance sheet resilience, regulatory compliance, and long-term institutional credibility. Throughout his professional journey, he has played a central role in improving portfolio quality through disciplined credit evaluation frameworks and the restructuring of distressed assets, areas that remain critical to banking sector stability.
Prior to joining SDB Bank, Mr. Akmeemana served in multiple senior leadership roles at Sampath Bank PLC, one of Sri Lanka’s leading commercial banks. His most recent position was Senior Deputy General Manager overseeing Credit Control, Credit Administration, Recoveries, and Legal functions. In this capacity, he led large multidisciplinary teams responsible for maintaining credit discipline, strengthening monitoring mechanisms, and ensuring alignment with internal policies and regulatory expectations. His tenure was marked by consistent attention to operational detail and cross-functional coordination in high-impact decision-making environments.
Across his career, Mr. Akmeemana has been closely involved in shaping financial strategies designed to improve operational efficiency and enhance profitability without compromising governance standards. He is widely recognised for balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution, particularly in contexts requiring decisive leadership during periods of credit stress or structural change. His experience in managing complex stakeholder relationships, including regulators, legal advisors, and internal risk committees, has contributed to his reputation as a steady and reliable banking professional.
The SDB Bank Deputy CEO Appointment comes at a time when financial institutions are under increasing pressure to adapt to regulatory developments, shifting market conditions, and rising expectations around transparency and risk management. Banks are expected to demonstrate stronger internal controls while continuing to pursue growth opportunities in a competitive environment. Against this backdrop, the addition of seasoned leadership is seen as a prudent step toward reinforcing internal capacity and strategic clarity.
In his new role, Mr. Akmeemana will work closely with the Bank’s executive leadership to drive key strategic priorities across the organisation. His responsibilities are expected to include strengthening enterprise-wide performance frameworks, supporting credit and risk governance initiatives, and contributing to the development of a more agile operating model. The Bank has indicated that his experience will be particularly valuable as it advances initiatives aimed at modernisation while maintaining a strong risk culture.
SDB Bank noted that the appointment reflects its commitment to building a leadership team capable of delivering consistent outcomes for customers, shareholders, and other stakeholders. By bringing on board executives with deep sector knowledge and proven execution capabilities, the Bank aims to reinforce institutional resilience and support sustainable value creation over the long term.
The SDB Bank Deputy CEO Appointment also signals continuity in leadership philosophy, emphasising disciplined growth, sound governance, and operational effectiveness. As the Bank continues to evolve within Sri Lanka’s financial system, the appointment of Mr. Akmeemana is expected to contribute meaningfully to strengthening internal capability and supporting the Bank’s strategic direction in the years ahead.