Nilantha De Silva appointed as new HNB Chairman

Banking veteran Nilantha De Silva, who is already on the board of Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB), has been appointed as the new Chairman of Sri Lanka’s second largest private bank, with effect from July 5, 2021.

First appointed as a Non-Executive/Independent Director of HNB in 2015, De Silva has over 47 years’ experience in commercial banking and bank management. 

De Silva started his banking career in 1974 at HNB and at the time of his departure, held the position of Deputy General Manager (Corporate Banking). 

Currently he holds the positions of Independent Non-Executive Director at Malwatte Valley Plantations PLC, Holco Ceylon (Private) Ltd and Expo Industrial Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd. 

De Silva was former Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Union Bank of Colombo PLC, former Director of Lanka Clear Limited and former Alternate Director of Credit Information Bureau of Sri Lanka (CRIB).

Meanwhile, HNB Acting Chairman and top lawyer Dr. Harsha Cabraal PC has resigned from the board, with effect from July 5, 2021.

Dr. Cabral joined the HNB board in September 2019 as a Non-Executive Independent Director.

The government holds over 23 percent stake in HNB, through several state-owned entities.