Board of Directors

Mr. Nazeer

Ahmed Nazeer

Chairman

With extensive knowledge and experience in finance, administration and logistics through his works at the Ministry of Fisheries, Crown Company and Fari Maldives Limited, Ahmed Nazeer is a founder of Crown Company, an entrepreneur known for his proficiency and contribution to both the Government and private sector.

Nazeer had served on the Board of Maldives Airports Company Limited and Maldives Monetary Authority in the past. In addition to this, he serves as the Secretary General of Maldives Association of Tourism Industry and serves the Government on advisory capacity on tourism related areas.

Sanath Manathunge

Deputy Chairman

Mr Sanath Manatunge is currently the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC. He counts for over 32 years of banking experience at Commercial Bank. Prior to being appointed as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer,Mr Manatunge functioned as Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer of the Bank since 2018. He has held Corporate Management / Senior positions as Deputy General Manager – Corporate Banking, Chief Risk Officer, Head of Credit Risk and Chief Manager – Corporate Banking.  

Mr Manatunge is a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants – UK and has obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura with a Merit Pass. He is also a Fellow Member of the Institute of Bankers – Sri Lanka, Council Member of Association of Professional Bankers of Sri Lanka and a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka.

Elmo Sooriyaarachchi

Managing Director/ CEO

Elmo Boniface Sooriyaarachchi boasts a distinguished 36-year career in banking. His tenure as the Chief Operating Officer at the Commercial Bank of Maldives, followed by his elevation to Managing Director, marks the pinnacle of his professional journey. As the former Regional Manager in Colombo North and Uva/Sabaragamuwa Region, overseeing 24 and 17 branches respectively, Elmo showcased strategic acumen in achieving organizational goals.  

In his role as Senior Manager/Officer In Charge of Development Credit Dept, Elmo played a pivotal role in steering the development of the SME sector, managing credit concentration, and collaborating with apex institutions. Holding a Masters Degree in Business Studies from the University of Colombo, he has been an Associate Member of the Institute of Bankers of SL since 1996. His international training encompasses business competency development, customer experience, and negotiation skills. 

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Elmo actively contributes to community service. He serves as Treasurer in the Ratnapura District Cricket Association and holds a Board Member position in the Lions Club of Ratnapura. As a seasoned banking professional and a dedicated individual, Elmo is committed to making a positive impact in any community he serves. 

Sellathurai Prabagar

Non Executive Director

Mr. Sellathurai Prabagar is a senior banker with over 26 years of diversified banking experience with Commercial Bank and currently serves as the bank’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director. He is also a non-executive director at the Board of CBC Technologies Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of the bank.

He in the past has performed the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Country Manager of the bank’s Bangladesh Operations, AGM – Management Audit, AGM – Operations and DGM – Corporate Banking.

His other contributions include serving as the Chairman of Roadmap Committee appointed by Central Bank(CBSL) on implementation of Blockchain technology in Sri Lanka, representing the bank at National Payment Council meetings at Central Bank, serving  as the bank’s Ombudsman in resolving customer complaints with Financial Ombudsman of the country and serving as a member of  BTAC (Bankers Technical Assistance Committee) appointed by Bankers Association of Sri Lanka, to take up operational issues faced by banks.

 

Mr. Prabagar holds an MBA in Banking from University of London, an Associate of Institute of Bankers (AIB – SL), and B.Com from Bharathidasan University in India.He is fully qualified in CIMA (Chartered institute of Management Accountants – UK), and CISA (Certified in System Audit – USA), also holding a diploma in System Security and Control Audit (DISSCA – CASL).

isuru

Isuru Tillakawardana

Non Executive Director

Mr. Isuru Tillakawardana is presently heading the Human Resource Management function in Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc as the Group Chief  Human Resource Officer.  He is a Board Director of Commercial Development Company Plc, a subsidiary of Commercial Bank and also a Director of Commercial Insurance Brokers (Pvt) Ltd. And associate of Commercial Bank.  Prior to Joining the Bank Mr. Tillakawardana has held leadership positions in various blue chip organizations in Sri Lanka ranging from Manufacturing, Insurance as well as in the Colombo Stock Exchange.  He is a past President of Association of HR Professionals. 

Mr. Tillakawardana holds an MBA from the University of Sri Jayawardenapura and a Degree in Law (LL.B) from the University of Colombo.  In 2014 he was recognised as one of the “50 Most Talented Global HR Leaders in the Asia” by the World HRD Congress at its sessions in Mumbai.  He was awarded fellowship by Association of HR Professionals recently.

Ibrahim Vishan

Non Executive Director

Dr. Vishan currently manages the diverse asset portfolio of Champa Brothers and Kuredu Holdings which consists of but is not limited to: real estate both commercial and residential, food and beverage supply, fuel supply, agriculture, healthcare, hotels and resorts, aviation, finance leasing and banking, warehousing and logistics, telecommunication, and information technology.

Dr. Vishan has an academic background in tourism and business economics and completed his doctorate in the UK in 2013. He has also served as the Manager of research and development for MATI. His position required him to interact extensively with the IMF, World Bank, government ministries, private sector businesses, NGO’s and local communities giving him an insight into stakeholder issues in the Maldives at various levels.

Fareeha Shareef

Non Executive Independent Director

Ms. Fareeha Shareef is a leading figure in the Maldivian financial sector, known for being the first female Chairperson of the Bank of Maldives, serving from May 2015 to August 2017.

She is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Nexia Maldives and has been an Independent Consultant for Adam Smith International (2012-2015). Fareeha served as a Board Member of the Maldives Pension Administration Office for six years and was a Director on the Board of Housing Development Finance Corporation PLC for five years, chairing the board in her final year. She has also been a Council Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Maldives (2020-2024) and a Board Member of Ooredoo Maldives PLC for four years. Additionally, she served as the Chief Internal Auditor of the State Trading Organization in 2008.

Fareeha’s expertise spans auditing, accountancy, financial management, governance, banking, MSMEs, and socioeconomic research, both locally and internationally.

She is a Fellow Member of CPA (UK) and ACCA (UK) and a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors and Certified Fraud Examiners. Fareeha holds a First-Class Master’s degree in Management Studies from the University of Waikato, New Zealand.

Aishath Zahira

Non Executive Independent Director

Ms. Aishath Zahira brings a wealth of experience after an illustrious career serving the Maldives Monetary Authority. With key positions including the Deputy Governor of Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) from 2008-2020, being the first female to hold the post of deputy governor for which she completed two terms, culminating a total of 39 years as a valued and esteemed individual.

She was also a Board Director of MMA during her period in office as the Deputy Governor. She was Deputy Chairperson of the Monetary Policy Committee for more than 11 years and the Deputy Chairperson of the Investment Committee for 7 years. She has represented the MMA’s membership at various international institutions and organisations, most notably as the Alternate Governor for the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Clearing Union and the SAARC Payment Council.

Ms. Aishath Zahira holds a Master of Accountancy, majoring in Accounting and Banking from the University of Wollongong, Australia.She is currently the chairperson of Capital Market Development Authority (CMDA).

J. A. D. J. Christie Nanayakkara

Non Executive Independent Director

Mr. Nanayakkara has 40 years of Banking experience in Sri Lanka and internationally. During his tenure in the banking industry, he last held a position at Seylan Bank PLC as Deputy General Manager and Chief Risk Officer. He has obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Western Sydney. He is a Member of numerous professional bodies, including Associate Member of the Institute of Bankers Sri Lanka and a member of the Association of Professional Bankers Sri Lanka. Mr. Nanayakkara is also a member of the Institute of Management Accountants – Australia.

Mr. Nanayakkara served a 2 years’ term as Head of Risk and Compliance at Dunamis Capital PLC upon retirement from the bank. He is presently a visiting lecturer at Institute of Bankers Sri Lanka where he shares his knowledge and experience.