The Council
of Management
and the Past
Presidents of
the Association
of Professional
Bankers (APB)
felicitated
its founder
member and the
first president,
Mr Rienzie T
Wijetilleke,
on his elevation
to the prestigious
position of
Chairman, Hatton
National Bank
(HNB), a leading
private sector
commercial bank
in Sri Lanka,
at a dinner
hosted in his
honour in Trans
Asia Hotel on
22nd April 2004.
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Speaking
on this occasion,
Mr. K. Nimal Dias,
President stated
that the APB is
proud of the achievement
of Mr Wijetilleke,
one of its members
and the inaugural
President, who
commenced his
carrier in a modest
capacity, but
rose to attain
the highest position
in a private bank.
Mr. Wijetilleke
having joined
Bank of Ceylon
(BOC) in 1960,
served BOC for
a period of 10
years, including
a spell of 4 ½
years at its London
branch. In 1970,
Mr. Wijetilleke
joined HNB, and
after holding
several important
positions rose
to the position
of Managing Director/CEO
in 1988 by sheer
hard work and
dedication. With
the demise of
the late Mr Chrishantha
Cooray, he was
appointed Chairman
of HNB, on 19
March 2004. Mr.
Wijetilleke is
a Fellow of the
Chartered Institute
of Bankers, London
and has held many
positions in the
Banking and Financial
industry making
great contributions
to all of them.
He also had other
diverse interests
and for a time
was the President
of the Interim
Committee of the
Board of Control
for Cricket during
which time, vast
improvements were
seen in the field,
and Chairman of
the Colombo Stock
Exchange and also
a Board member
of the Asian Bankers
Association. A
very eminent product
of Wesley College,
he had also been
the President
of its OBA.
Mr.
A. Kathiravelupillai,
also a founder
member and past
president, paid
glorious tribute
to Mr Wijetilleke’s
achievements and
leadership qualities
and professionalism,
having associated
with him very
closely from the
days that Mr Wijetilleke
and he worked
together at the
Bank of Ceylon
in the late ‘60s.
Mr Wijetilleke’s
achievements as
MD in making HNB
one of the leading
banks in Sri Lanka
bears ample testimony
for his leadership
qualities and
management skills.
When he took over
as MD/CEO 15 years
ago, the bank’s
profit was around
Rs 70 Mn and in
the year 2003
the profit was
over a billion
rupees. Similarly,
deposits, loans
and shareholder’s
funds, showed
phenomenal growth
under his stewardship.
Not only bankers,
even the private
sector looked
to him for leadership
and guidance in
times of need.
Though Mr Wijetilleke
reached the pinnacle
of success he
did not loose
the common touch.
He still remains
humble and helpful.
His immense contribution
to the Association
of Professional
Bankers as a founder
member, first
president and
benefactor helped
the Association
in many ways to
reach its present
position. He wished
him every success
in his present
position.
A
veteran Banker
Mr. Patrick de
Silva also a founder
member and past
president speaking
in lighter vein,
referred to the
qualities of the
founder member
and took the participants
down memory lane
by quoting from
Bernard Shaw and
Shakespeare and
kept the participants
enthralled and
entertained. He
associated with
the sentiments
expressed by the
previous speakers
and recalled the
valuable contributions
made by Mr Wijetilleke
to the banking
and financial
sector.
Mr.
Wijetilleke said
that there are
several persons
to whom he is
indebted for his
achievements in
the Banking industry.
He paid special
tribute to former
Chairman of HNB,
late Mr. Chrisantha
Cooray. He recalled
his initial days
at Bank of Ceylon
and said he was
ever grateful
to HNB for giving
him the opportunity
for leading it
for several years.
He thanked the
APB for giving
him the honour
of being its first
President and
for the felicitation
and said that
he will continue
to assist the
Association in
whatever way possible
to achieve its
objectives.
The
proceedings were
brought to a close
with the Vote
of Thanks given
by Mr Buwanaka
Perera, Secretary,
APB.
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