W.H. SOLOMAN Remembering the First General Manager of the People’s Bank

Wilmir Heart Soloman who passed away on 11th May 1970 was the first general manager of the People’s bank. 

In 1961, prior to becoming general manager of the people’s bank, he was Chief Inspector of Bank of Ceylon. Soloman who joined bank of Ceylon in 1938 had been manager in all departments of Bank of Ceylon as well as in several branches. While serving in Bank of Ceylon, Mobile Banking Service was first introduced to the bank by Soloman. Then, he had been working in five prestigious banks in England such as Barclays Bank, West Minister Bank, Lloyd’s Bank, Bank of England and Manhattan bank. Within these organisations, he gained a wide knowledge of the banking system and had served, for a short period, as manager of Bank of Ceylon, London Branch, as well. Later, to gain further knowledge of banking procedures and systems, he was sent by the Sri Lanka Government to the Moscow State Bank, Russia. 

In 1961, he become the first General Manager of People’s Bank and served in the same capacity with a lot of courage and devotion day and night, irrespective of time served, with great dedication for the progress and improvement of People’s Bank. 

Having assumed duties as the first General Manager of People’s Bank in 1961 till he retired in 1966, he worked incessantly with such dedication for the improvement of People’s Banking Service. The rights privileges and the responsibilities of the employees whilst providing clean administration in the banking service. 

The leadership of Soloman was unique. It is 44 years since he passed away. From the commencement of People’s Banking Services, no employee had the good fortune of working under him will ever forget and shall not forget the immortal name “W.H, SOLOMAN” a distinguished bank employee and a rare banking superior. 

He was also an ardent social worker too a member of the F.O.C.H. Movement now an International Organization, which had its beginning in the battle field at France during the last stages of World War II. He could be said to have expended personal funds in the propagation of the F.O.C.H. 

H.W. Rathnayake 

Movement whose activities among others covered the running of boy’s club in several parts of the Island; the beneficiaries of which were poor boys who deserved to Be Encouraged to become useful future citizens . 

He was educated at Kingswood college, Kandy and later at Wesly College, Colombo. He Obtained the BSC (Econ:) degree from the university of London and became the first Ceylonese follow of the Institute of banker’s London. He was a teetotaller and non-smoker being a Ruggerite in his hey days quite an unassuming personality with no heirs about him. Soloman is a multilingual intellectual and a passionate, gentlemen.  

H.W. Rathnayake RTD: Manager People’s Bank.