HNB FINANCE strengthens Board with four Independent Non-Executive Directors
One of Sri Lanka’s leading integrated financial services providers, HNB FINANCE PLC, has strengthened its Board with the appointment of four Independent Non-Executive Directors, Mr. Renuke Wijayawardhane, Mrs. Shanti Gnanapragasam, Mrs. Nabiha Mohamed, and Dr. Thisuri Wanniarachchi, effective 8 September 2026.
Collectively, they bring extensive experience across financial regulation, banking, risk management, corporate finance, investment strategy, development finance, and public policy.
Mr. Renuke Wijayawardhane is an Attorney-at-Law and capital market professional with more than three decades of experience in securities regulation, corporate governance, compliance and market infrastructure.
He retired in July 2025 as Chief Regulatory Officer of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), completing more than 31 years with the Exchange. During his tenure, he oversaw regulatory policy, listings, broker supervision, trading operations, market surveillance and listed entity compliance.
Mr. Wijayawardhane was closely involved in the development of new capital market products and listing frameworks, as well as key market infrastructure initiatives including Delivery versus Payment, Central Counterparty Clearing and digitalisation. He also previously headed the Central Depository System.
Following his retirement, he served as a consultant to the CSE and the Dhaka Stock Exchange in Bangladesh. He currently advises listed companies, investment banks and stockbroking firms on capital raising, restructuring, regulatory compliance, risk management and corporate governance.
He holds an LL.B. (Hons.) from the University of Colombo.
Mrs. Shanti Gnanapragasam brings more than 40 years of banking experience across treasury, risk management, credit, centralised operations and trade finance.
She currently serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Cargills Bank PLC, Wealth Trust PLC and Vision Fund Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.
Mrs. Gnanapragasam previously held senior positions at NDB Bank PLC, including Chief Group Risk Officer, Vice President – Shared Services and Chief Credit Officer. At Hatton National Bank PLC, she served as Chief Risk Officer and Head of Treasury and Markets.
Her career also includes roles as Group Treasurer of Hayleys PLC, Deputy Head of Treasury at People’s Bank and Director Treasury and Country Head of Global Markets at American Express Bank Ltd. Sri Lanka.
