Board of Directors
MRS.TAMARA DHARMAKIRTI-HERATH
Chairperson
Mrs.G.S. Tamara Dharmakirti-Herath was appointed to the AFC Board of Directors as the Chairperson on 22nd October 2020. She holds over 39 years of experience in the financial services sector and has made significant contributions to the industry and was involved in the setting up two Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFI) in the country. In her long professional career, she has been in senior management positions in a few of the premier NBFI’s and as a consultant providing technical skill and knowledge to NBFI’s and banks engaged in Leasing and Factoring. She has vast knowledge and experience in the multiple aspects of the finance industry. She has facilitated knowledge and skill development to young leasing professionals in Sri Lanka (pro-bono) and advocates best practices and gender equality in the management of the NBFI sector.
Additionally, having represented the country in two team sports she went on to be involved in sports administration at national and international level. She has served as a director of an international sport federation and president of a regional and national sport federation and as a member of the National Sports Council and National Selection Committee for Olympics, Chairperson of the Women and Sports Committee NOC Sri Lanka, and in other positions of repute
Mr. R.K.E.P. de Silva
Deputy Chairman/ Managing Director
Mr. Romani de Silva was appointed to the Board on 9th March 1990 and currently holds the position of Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Alliance Finance Company PLC. He holds Directorates in many other companies and counts over 30 years of experience in the finance industry. He is a Life member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors, a member of the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs, and currently represents AFC as a Council Member of The Finance Houses Association of Sri Lanka (FHASL); the representative body of the Non- Bank Financial Sector of Sri Lanka. He also serves as the Hon. Treasurer of the Sri Lanka Institute of Credit Management (SLICM) and as a member of the FHASL sub-committee on Sustainability related matters.
He has also represented the FHASL on the Steering Committee initiated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to develop a Sustainable Finance Road map for Sri Lanka. He also represented the NBFC industry as a working committee member of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy Project recently concluded by the IFC/World Bank Group and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
In 2018 he was also selected to serve on the SSCI Council – a global council initiated by the European Organization for Sustainable Development (EOSD) in Karlsruhe Germany, mandated to develop the world’s first measurable, certifiable and holistic sustainability standard for value driven financial institutions. This novel initiative known as the Sustainability Standard Certification Initiative or SSCI was launched in 2018 and is supported by the Association of Development Finance Institutions of Asia and the Pacific(ADFIAP) , the African Association of Development Financing Institutions (AADFI) and the Association of National Development Finance Institutions in Member Countries of the Islamic Development Bank (ADFIMI).
He also sits as a member of the Global Council for the Financing 4.0 program – an initiative by the EOSD which is mandated to drive finance as a force for good.
Through a philanthropic foundation supported by Alliance Finance Company PLC, Mr. de Silva is also a pioneering corporate investor in the pioneering “Ath Pavura” reality TV Programme in Sri Lanka which aims to create awareness for Social Enterprise in Sri Lanka and develop an impact investing culture in the country. Through this program, the foundation was able to invest in five social enterprises many of which are now nurtured and supported by AFC.
In 2001, he was recognized as the pioneer of Collaboration Financing – a unique financing concept designed to provide business specific finance for entrepreneurs to expand their businesses. For introducing this innovative concept to the Finance industry he was awarded two Bronze Awards both at Provincial and National levels at the Sri Lanka Entrepreneur of the Year competition – 2001.
In 2018 his unwavering commitment and contribution towards Sustainable Development was recognized with a merit award as a Sustainability Leader of the Year , at the Karlsruhe sustainability Awards program held during the Global Sustainable Finance Conference organized by the European Organization for Sustainable Development. Shortly after, he was nominated to the SSCI Council of the EOSD where he was able to steer Alliance Finance Company PLC to become one of only four value driven financial institutions globally to be certified for Sustainable Finance on 30th September 2020.
Mr. de Silva is a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Management, Sri Lanka.
Mr. W.P.K. Jayawardana
Deputy Managing Director
Mr. W.P.K. Jayawardana was appointed to the AFC Board of Directors on 4th April 2017 and currently serves as Deputy Managing Director and he brings over 24 years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, credit and operations. He serves the AFC Board as the Deputy Managing Director. He is involved in and has led teams in launching several innovative products in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, including securitisation structures, convertible securities and derivatives and has executed several landmark capital market transactions. He played a key role in setting up NDB Capital Limited, Bangladesh and Emerald Sri Lanka Fund, being the first private equity country fund set up in Sri Lanka. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst, an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and the Chartered Global Management Accountants. He is also an Associate Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants- UK. He holds an MBA from the Open University of Sri Lanka in collaboration with Commonwealth of Learning, Canada. Other Appointments His previous appointments include, Managing Director/CEO of NDB Capital Limited, Bangladesh and COO of NDB Capital Holdings Limited. He has held Board positions in several listed and private entities including Resus Energy PLC, Panasian Power PLC, Lanka Communication Services Limited and NDB Capital Limited.
MRS. PRIYANTHI DE SILVA
Independent Non-Executive Director
Mrs. Priyanthi de Silva was appointed to the AFC Board of Directors on 9th August 2018 as an Independent Non-Executive Director. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (FCMA) and the Chartered Global Management Accountants (CGMA)of UK and a Fellow of Certified Practicing Accountants, (FCPA) of Australia. She is also an Associate member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants of UK (ACCA).
She has over 30 years of experience in the FMCG, Leisure, Healthcare, Travel, and Financial Services sectors in Sri Lanka and Australia. The senior positions held by her in Sri Lanka include Manager Compliance at Sri Lankan Airlines and Manager Finance and Systems at Sri Lankan Catering, Financial Controller of Hemas Holdings PLC, Finance Manager at Arpico Finance PLC, Manager Finance and MIS at Eagle NDB Fund Management and in Australia as a Financial Specialist at Goston Avend Pty Ltd, and as an Accountant at GE Money and Coles Express.
Mr. J.M. Gunasekera
Executive Director-Sustainability
Mr. J.M. Gunasekera was appointed to the AFC Board of Directors on 23rd June 2015. He currently serves as the Executive Director Sustainability of AFC. An industry expert in rural financing, he counts over 30 years of experience in Microfinance, SME financing, livelihood development and agribusiness in Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. He has also served in multilateral agencies such as the US Agency for International Development and undertaken special assignments with the World Bank/IFC, the ADB and US based INGOs/PVOs in many markets such as Philippines, Thailand, Japan and the United States. He holds an MBA, BSc in Agriculture and Microfinance training from the University of Colorado. He has previously functioned as Managing Director/CEO of 3 MFIs, one in Afghanistan and two in Sri Lanka.
MR. RAVI RAMBUKWELLE
Executive Director-Credit Operations and Marketing
Mr. R.E. Rambukwelle was appointed to the AFC Board of Directors on 6th September 2018 and serves as the Executive Director Credit Marketing and Operations. His wealth of experience spans over 35 years’ in Management both in Sri Lanka and overseas and his expertise and extensive knowledge of the industry is his hallmark. His last position was Director Marketing and Operations in one of the largest Non – Bank Financial Institutions in the country, where he was employed for twenty-four years until his retirement in June 2018. He possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Political Science from the Peradeniya University, a Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK and a Diploma in Commerce from the Institute of Commerce UK.
MR. HIRAN DE SILVA
Independent Non-Executive Director
Mr. L.J.H. de Silva was appointed to the AFC Board of Directors on 16th October 2019 as an Independent Non-Executive Director. He is presently the Managing Director of Alliance Agencies Ltd., exclusive agents in Sri Lanka for Heidelberger Duckmachinen AG Germany and Drive One (Pvt) Ltd., sole distributor for Audi AG, Germany. He has over 30 years of management experience. He has acquired significant experience in brand building, strategic planning and key account management. Former president of the Association for Print and Design Professionals and is a Member of the Board of Governors of the institute of Printing in Sri Lanka. Mr. de Silva attended Hauchler Studio College and Print Media Academy Heidelberg, Germany. He is a fellow of the Sri Lanka Institute of Printing and has over 40 years of experience in the graphic arts industry.
Mr. L. Hettiarachchi
Independent Non-Executive Director
Mr.D.L.I Hettiarachchi was appointed to the AFC Board of Directors on 22nd October 2020 as an Independent Non-Executive Director. He has over 25 years experience in management and administration. Since 2002 onwards he owns and manages a private civil law practice and has over 30 years experience in commercial and civil litigation in original/appellate courts and arbitrations in a range of matters. He possesses in-depth and wide experience in transactional legal services and consultancy, including a wide scope of matters covered in commercial/corporate law practice. He is an Attorney at Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and holds a Master of Law degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada and Doctor of Civil Laws degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
CORPORATE MANAGEMENT TEAM
Mr. E.C.S.R. Muttupulle
Chief Talent Management Officer
Mr. Muttupulle is an Engineer by profession. However, his prowess has been in the field of finance where he has served in high ranking capacities in well established companies overseas as well. He has had an illustrious career spanning over 33 years in the financial arena. He holds a B.Sc in Chemical Engineering – Glamorgan University, UK and M.Sc in Advanced Chemical Engineering & Bio Chemical Engineering – University College of Swansea UK.
Mr. Michael Benedict
Chief Collections & Recovery Officer
Mr. Benedict who joined Alliance Finance Company PLC in 2001 is the Chief Collections & Recovery Officer, and a Director of the Group subsidiary Alfinco Insurance Brokers. He counts over 23 years of experience in the financial services including Central Finance Company PLC and Mercantile Leasing PLC, of which fifteen years have been in management positions. Mr. Benedict is a Certified Member of Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM). He holds a MBA from the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff.
Mr. Aruna Rodrigo
Chief Credit Officer
Mr. Rodrigo is a holder of MBA from Buckinghamshire New University (UK), Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK) and Associateship of Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (AIB) . He has considerable experience in banking and financial services and has served in several Senior Management positions at HSBC Bank Middle East (Dubai), Amlak Finance PJSC (Dubai), Commercial Leasing Company PLC and Seylan Bank PLC. Mr. Aruna joined Alliance Finance Company PLC effective 01st May 2016 to manage Credit Unit. With his extensive experience he has taken over the helm of Credit Operations Unit in January 2018 and currently he is working at the capacity of Chief Credit Officer.
MR. AJANTHA KUMARA
Chief Commercial Officer
Mr. Ajantha Kumara joined our Company on 03rd May 2021 as Chief Commercial Officer. He is a certified member of Sri Lanka Institute for Marketing and Associate member of Chartered Professional Managers. In addition, Mr Ajantha is a member of Association of Accounting Technician and holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of London Metropolitan. His career spans over 20+ years of post-qualifying experience in financial services. During this period, he has served as the Head of Gold Financing at Siyapatha Finance PLC over 9 years.
MR. AJIT SUBASINGHE
Chief People Officer
Mr. Subasinghe joined our Company on 15th June 2021 as Chief People Officer. Mr. Subasinghe comes with a wealth of experience after serving at PRYM Intimates Division (Group Company of MAS holdings) as the Head of Human resources and Deputy General Manager – Human Resources at MAS Fabric Trischel and Fabric Textprint. He possesses nearly 13 years of experience in the finance industry.
MR. GAYAN WICKRAMASINGHE
Chief Information Officer
Mr. Wickramasinghe joined AFC on 22nd November 2021 as the Chief Information Officer. He holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Engineering from University of Moratuwa and MBA from University of Manipal (India). He holds professional memberships of IESL, CSSL, IEEE (US), BCS (UK). His career spans over 20+ years and he was serving as the Chief Technology Officer at Abans Finance PLC and as an IT Consultant for the Abans Group before joining us. He is a visiting lecturer for the MBA Program of University of Southern Queensland (Aus) conducted by CA Sri Lanka. Earlier in his career he has worked at British Telecom as well as at OpenWorld.
MR. AJANTHA KUMARA
Chief Commercial Officer
Mr. Ajantha Kumara joined our Company on 03rd May 2021 as Chief Commercial Officer. He is a certified member of Sri Lanka Institute for Marketing and Associate member of Chartered Professional Managers. In addition, Mr Ajantha is a member of Association of Accounting Technician and holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of London Metropolitan. His career spans over 20+ years of post-qualifying experience in financial services. During this period, he has served as the Head of Gold Financing at Siyapatha Finance PLC over 9 years.
MR. AJIT SUBASINGHE
Chief People Officer
Mr. Subasinghe joined our Company on 15th June 2021 as Chief People Officer. Mr. Subasinghe comes with a wealth of experience after serving at PRYM Intimates Division (Group Company of MAS holdings) as the Head of Human resources and Deputy General Manager – Human Resources at MAS Fabric Trischel and Fabric Textprint. He possesses nearly 13 years of experience in the finance industry.
MR. GAYAN WICKRAMASINGHE
Chief Information Officer
Mr. Wickramasinghe joined AFC on 22nd November 2021 as the Chief Information Officer. He holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Engineering from University of Moratuwa and MBA from University of Manipal (India). He holds professional memberships of IESL, CSSL, IEEE (US), BCS (UK). His career spans over 20+ years and he was serving as the Chief Technology Officer at Abans Finance PLC and as an IT Consultant for the Abans Group before joining us. He is a visiting lecturer for the MBA Program of University of Southern Queensland (Aus) conducted by CA Sri Lanka. Earlier in his career he has worked at British Telecom as well as at OpenWorld.
