MAHESHA WEERARATNA-AMARASURIYA

 

 

She is the Assistant General Manager, Card Services at Cargills Bank Limited. She was, at the time of taking on the new role, the only Female Head of Cards and Acquiring, amongst all Issuers and Acquirers in the Payment Card Industry in Sri Lanka. She has over twenty years of experience in Banking and Finance, including Corporate Banking, Retail, Private Banking, Cards and Electronic Payments. An alumnus of Sirimavo Bandaranayake Vidyalaya, Colombo, University of Colombo and the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), she is a member of several associations in Sri Lanka, including CIMA. She was the Chairperson of the CIMA Sri Lanka Country Network Panel in 2018; the representative body of CIMA members in Sri Lanka. Prior to that she served on the CIMA Sri Lanka Board, and in 2016, she was elected as the Vice Chairperson. At present, she is a Member of the Regional Advisory Panel for MESANA Region (Middle East, South Asia and North Africa) of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (CIMA and AICPA). She is also a member of the Alumni Association of the University of Colombo. She strongly believes in giving back to the University of Colombo, having been a beneficiary of the free education system in the country. Since 2005, she has also served on the Alumni Association of the Colombo University, and have held many positions including, Executive Committee Member, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer. She was also the Editor of the alumni association newsletter; Alumni News. She was instrumental in setting up the Colombo University Partnership Program, an ongoing collaboration between the University and several private sector organizations. She has been actively involved with Toastmasters Sri Lanka, and in 2008, she was elected as the President of the CIMA Toastmasters Club. She has also been the Charter President of the NDB Toastmasters Club and at present is a member of the Cargills Bank Toastmasters Club. She is also the current Assistant Secretary and Executive Committee Member of the Banking Association of Sri Lanka. 

In 2001, she was the recipient of the CIMA Sri Lanka prize for Financial Reporting, and in 2006 she was the recipient of the ‘Young CIMA Star of the Year,’ Gold Award. This prestigious award was presented to the most outstanding CIMA Member or Past Finalist in Sri Lanka, below the age of thirty. In 2018, she was the recipient of the ‘Didulana Sirimavian’ awarded by Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Colombo, in recognition of her outstanding accomplishments and service to the country. In 2011, she was the recipient of the Advanced Communicator Gold award presented by Toastmasters International, USA. In 2009, she was nominated by the US Department of State for a US Visitor Leadership Program on Women as Business and Economic Leaders.

 

She Can and she is an assertive, disciplined, empowered, corporate power woman. She is confident and diplomatic and has a positive aura that puts everyone in her presence at ease. She is a passionate individual who is determined to leave her mark in the banking industry in Sri Lanka; Mahesha Weeraratna-Amarasuriya.  

 

 

I am an only child and both my parents were employed fulltime. Hence, I spent a lot of my childhood with my grandparents. I remember playing ‘school’ with my grandmother at a very early age, where she was the teacher and my grandfather and I played the role of students. Being an only child my parents were quite protective of me. I have heard that I have had my first fall as a child only when I was three years old! Though my parents were protective they have set an example of being a united, caring and a loving family. They set the foundation for my personal and professional development. As most only children would, I too took up to reading novels at a very early age. As a child, I was addicted to Secret Seven, Famous Five, Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys. My interest in reading developed in to an interest in writing, and I started composing Poetry. I initially wrote small verses in Sinhala and as I took up English Literature for my Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations, I composed a fair number of English poems and published two books; ‘A Maiden Attempt’ and ‘Moments of Reflection.’ Whilst, enrolled at the Colombo University, I also started CIMA. This is where I met my husband, Rajeev Amarasuriya. I worked on a project he was heading; The CIMA Students Conference. We both continued our journey with the CIMA Students’ Society and we have both served as President of the Society, in 2001 and 2004. We have been married for fifteen years now and we have one son. Rajeev is an Attorney-at-Law and at present, he is the Secretary of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. We are both avid travelers and we love to explore new cities together. 

 

Whilst in school, I studied a combination of Arts and Commerce, and was involved in debating, compeering, drama, and scrabble. I was the President of the English Literary Association, the Scrabble Club and Captain of the English Debating Team. I also enjoyed theatre, and played the roles of Horatio, Mark Anthony and Brutus in school plays. Upon graduating from school, I enrolled at the University of Colombo, and completed my degree in International Relations, English and Demography. Simultaneously, I also started my studies in CIMA, and completed it with a CIMA Sri Lanka Prize for Financial Reporting. Thereafter, I completed my ACCA (UK) and am now a Fellow Member of CIMA (UK), A Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and a Member of ACCA (UK). I completed my MBA at the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and become the first in the batch and was also the valedictorian. I am also a ‘Certified Corporate Banker’ awarded by the American Academy of Financial Management, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In 2000, I also worked part time as an English Newsreader for the Independent Television Network (ITN). I was also a host of a Musical Show, ‘Living a Crazy Life,’ in the same channel from 2000 to 2004. In 2004, I was also the English Presenter of a weekly programme on employment opportunities. From 2003 to 2005, I was a lecturer in Financial Accounting at the Academy of Business Studies. My corporate journey commenced at NDB PLC, as a Management Trainee. I completed thirteen years at NDB, and I was mainly in the Corporate Banking Department.  Prior to resigning, I went on to become a Senior Manager at the bank. 

 

In 2017, I joined Cargills Bank Limited as Head of Private Banking and as a member of the Corporate Management. I was instrumental in conceptualizing and developing the Private Banking brand at Cargills Bank (Imperium) and setting up the Private Banking Centre. Thereafter, I moved as the Head of Cards and Electronic Payments, and at present I am the Assistant General Manager, Card Services, and a Corporate Management Member of the bank. I am responsible for the overall Debit and Credit Card issuing business, merchant acquiring including POS and IPG. Additionally, I also overlook the bank’s Contact Centre. During my tenure, Cargills Bank Limited received Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard certification, the global standard for payment card security, and was amongst few banks in Sri Lanka to be fully compliant for PCIDSS. During my tenure, Cargills Bank became the first bank in the island to launch the Personalized Image Card concept in Sri Lanka. 

 

 

I am sure many think that I am crazy especially at times when I have quite a bit on my plate. But, for me being part of many things, concurrently running two or three projects adds a certain dose of zest to my life, and gives me a fresh and new challenge each day. Though this could be stressful at times, it also gives me an immense dose of self-satisfaction. 

 

I am a committed, passionate and hard-working individual. Nothing comes easy. I strongly believe in giving a helping hand whenever possible, as I believe that goes a long way. I believe in karma. If you do good, it will always be your biggest strength.  

 

My mother, continues to be a great source of inspiration for me. She is a caring, loving, selfless person, who is always willing to help anyone. She has great determination and has overcome many difficulties in life, yet would never say no to anyone who reaches out for help. My father too has always lent a helping hand whenever anyone needed, and that too was an immense inspiration to me. My husband, also inspires me with his commitment and passion. He has the ability to bring together teams and uplift and raise the bar in whatever he undertakes. He is someone who has walked the talk. He has also played a vital role in my career, supporting me to reach greater heights. On a professional level, I have had many seniors who have mentored me and supported me. Ms. Anushca Saranapala, Assistant Vice President, NDB Bank, taught me the ABCs of Credit during my early days at NDB. Mr. Rajendra Theagarajah, Former CEO of NDB Bank and Cargills Bank, guided me in my professional career. The present Managing Director of Cargills Bank, Mr. Senerath Bandara, continues to empower me. Mr. Upali Ratnayake, Former Divisional Director of CIMA Sri Lanka, too played a vital role in my progression with CIMA Sri Lanka.

 

Fear of the unexpected, fear of the unknown. ‘What If’ - is a common fear. You can plan only to some extent. You can have Plan A and Plan B, but there is a point beyond any planning. Getting your mind ready for the unexpected is what’s important. There is always a solution and only a calm mind can figure that out. I try to almost always, never make any important decisions when I’m angry or sad. I would always sleep on it and then make a decision the next day. 

 

I have worked with many teams, and most teams are very young, full of energy and enthusiasm. What is really important in keeping a team motivated is empowering them. This brings out the best in them. I try to ensure that I clear any bottlenecks and I let the team work independently. I believe in the motto - “Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results,” George S Patton.

 

One key highlight was setting up Private Banking at Cargills Bank. I had a rare opportunity to set up a department from scratch. In the banking industry where everything is governed by rules and regulations getting a blank canvass is a rare opportunity. Another challenge was taking on the role as Head of Cards and Electronic Payments. I had no prior experience in that area of banking and I had a very young team to manage. It was an amazing experience and an amazing journey. Becoming the Chairperson of the CIMA Sri Lanka Country Network Panel, the representative body of CIMA members in Sri Lanka, was another career highlight. 

 

 

To raise my son in a loving, caring and nurturing environment, so that he grows to be a responsible citizen. I am what I am today because of the foundation my parents laid for me at home by inculcating good values. I want to bring up my son in the same manner. On a professional note, I look forward to the next level of progression and of course, wider contribution to society and the country. 

 

A lesson I have learnt during my twenty-year professional journey is that you cannot change people nor can you be certain of their actions. All you can do is be ready to adapt to situations and adapt to people. Have the end picture in mind and do not let minor drawbacks get in your way. 

 

Comparing myself with those around me and feeling inadequate. It took a while for me to realise that I should only focus on my personal goals and my journey, and I should move forward with confidence and determination. 

 

Deciding to be a mother is the best decision I made. Worst would be taking ten years to make that decision. Motherhood has been the most amazing experience thus far, and I love every bit of it. On a professional note, in 2018, I had an overnight transfer from Private Banking to Cards and Acquiring. Accepting this challenge was one of the best decisions I have made in my career. Deciding to do CIMA was another right decision, as it has not only laid the foundation for my professional career, but has also become an integral part of my professional and personal life. 

 

As a caring person with a big heart and a lasting smile. A person who made a real impact in the lives of many. 

 

Setting up Private Banking: Creating a department from inception was quite an exciting experience; from finalizing a name, developing the value proposition, to creating the overall concept, and recruiting right people. Was hands on from day one, overlooking all the details including the design of the office and building.

 

‘Jeevana’ Livelihood Skills Development Loan Project: In 2012, I was in a cross functional team responsible for developing special banking products for the North and East. The project was based on creating livelihood opportunities for the youth in the two provinces. This project gave me a lot of personal satisfaction; I was able to make a difference in the lives of many young people who had been deprived of opportunities for years. I was a member of a team of seven that was referred to as the – ‘Seven Stars.’  

 

Social Work: A personal project that I’m extremely proud of is one where both my husband and I worked side by side to save the life of a young father, who was suffering from aneurism. He was in a very critical condition and as the sole breadwinner of the family (a day laborer), he had no means to finance the cost of the surgery, nor to support his family during his recovery period. We reached out to many of our friends and family who willingly came forward, and we were able to raise the required funds in a short period of time. He had a successful surgery followed by a full-recovery, and after seven years his family too expanded in numbers. The excess funds collected helped this young family buy a small house and set themselves up for the future. 

 

At times, you need to think completely afresh; brainstorming with no guidelines and no restrictions. This way you get some wild, crazy ideas and some really good ones too. At other times, brainstorming and generating new ideas happens within a certain set of parameters, and guidelines. There may be some restrictions to the creativity, but it can work.

 

Honesty, integrity, commitment, drive, passion and the ability to execute.