TFAB elects new Council

Trade Finance Association Of Bankers (TFAB) at its 15th annual general meeting held recently at the Grand Oriental Hotel Colombo, elected the Council for the year 2012/2013.

Jayantha Newunhella was elected the President of the Association for the ensuing year, and he took the ceremonial oath from the outgoing President Nilam Jumat.

Ranjith Haputhantri, Assistant General Manager (Overseas Branches), Bank of Ceylon was elected the Senior Vice President and Chathura Rudesh, Senior Manager Trade Services, Sampath Bank was elected the Vice President. Manjula Gunawardena, Head of exports, National Development Bank PLC and Roshan Fernando, Corporate Relationship Manager HSBC Bank were elected secretary General and Asst Secretary respectively.

Also Manoji Hettigoda, Senior Executive Trade Services, Sampath Bank and Susantha Fernando, Senior Manager Exports, Seylan Bank were elected the Treasurer and Asst Treasurer respectively

Jayantha Newunhella is a senior banker who counts 37 years experience in the banking field and holds the position of Acting Deputy General Manager - International Banking at People's Bank. He is a B.Sc.(Mgt) and MBA(J'pura) holder and a fellow of Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka.

The primary objectives of the Association include the exchange of views among members and other individuals and/or organizations, on matters related to Trade Finance, promoting consistency in Trade Finance practices among bankers and in engaging in educational activities for members and other practitioners of Trade Finance by holding lectures, seminars, workshops and other activities.

Newly elected President Jayantha Newunhella in his address paid tribute to the outgoing President for his guidance to the Association for its greater heights and thanked the outgoing office bearers for their valuable contribution towards the achievements of the Association.

Following were elected as Council Members:

Nilam Jumat - Immediate Past President-Hatton National Bank M K Nandasiri - Bank of Ceylon Gaya Manamperi - Formerly at Sampath Bank Plc Nihal Premasiri - Peoples Bank Senaka De Silva - National Development Bank Plc Indika Samarasekera - Sampath Bank Plc Navamali De Silva - Nations Trust Bank Plc Thushy David -Deutsche Bank AG Niel Handapangoda - Citi Bank NA Waruna Senanayake - DFCC Vardhana Bank Shyam De Silva - Hatton National Bank Himath Kithsiri -HSBC Sanjeewa Jayasooriya - Standard Chartered Bank Ltd Lawrian Somanader - Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc.