Mr. Sanjaya Gunawardana

Director

Sanjaya Gunawardana is a distinguished banking professional with over 36 years of experience across key pillars of the financial services industry, including Retail Banking, Trade Finance, Information Technology, Strategic Planning, and Organizational Development. His multidimensional expertise and visionary leadership have positioned him as a transformative leader in Sri Lanka’s banking sector.

Throughout his career, Mr. Gunawardana has consistently demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to leadership, grounded in the belief that the future of banking lies at the confluence of advanced technology, trusted relationships, and exceptional customer experience. Under his stewardship, Sampath Bank has embarked on its second major technological evolution, marked by the successful integration of AI-powered machine learning models into core banking operations enhancing efficiency, risk management, and data-driven decision-making.

He views technology not merely as a support function, but as a strategic enabler and catalyst for organizational evolution, capable of unlocking new dimensions of customer value and operational excellence. His commitment to reimagining digital banking has played a pivotal role in positioning Sampath Bank as an agile, future-ready financial institution.

Mr. Gunawardana’s leadership philosophy is also shaped by his exposure to global best practices through advanced executive education and leadership development at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. These include Harvard Business School, INSEAD, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the McKinsey Center for CEO Excellence. This international exposure has enriched his strategic outlook and ability to lead through complexity and change.

In addition to his executive role as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Sampath Bank, he presently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Sri Lanka Bankers Association, Lanka Financial Services Bureau Limited & Lanka Pay (Pvt) Limited.

A visionary yet grounded leader, Mr. Gunawardana continues to champion a culture of innovation, accountability, and transformation, setting a strong foundation for Sampath Bank to sustain its leadership in digital banking and deliver long-term value to all stakeholders.