The Bank of Ceylon (BOC) has announced the appointment of Kavinda de Zoysa as its new Chairman. With over 30 years of experience in the banking industry, including 25 years in management, de Zoysa brings extensive leadership expertise and a strategic vision to the role.
His deep knowledge of both local and global markets will help BOC navigate the challenges of the evolving financial landscape.
De Zoysa is recognized for his collaborative leadership style and commitment to innovation, ethics, and corporate values such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). He emphasizes meritocracy and the importance of agile execution in driving success.
In his statement, de Zoysa expressed his pride in taking on the role, acknowledging BOC’s pivotal role as the largest bank in Sri Lanka. “I look forward to working with BOC’s talented team to drive growth and create value for all stakeholders,” he said. “As Sri Lanka enters a new phase of economic growth, we will uphold the bank’s legacy while embracing innovation to support the nation’s evolving economic needs.”
Prior to his appointment at BOC, de Zoysa held a senior leadership position at Citibank N.A., Sri Lanka, where he was the Director and Country Business Head. His nearly two-decade career at Citi spanned various areas, including Corporate and Investment Banking, Risk Management, and Capital Markets. He also contributed significantly to Citi’s strategic planning, major corporate finance transactions, and the digital transformation of the bank.
De Zoysa’s banking career began at Seylan Bank, where he worked his way up from a Banking Assistant at just 18 years old. His professional experience includes roles at NDB Bank, Nations Trust Bank, and the National Development Bank, with expertise across retail banking, project finance, SME lending, corporate planning, and auditing.
In addition to his banking career, de Zoysa is actively involved in professional organizations. He serves as a Global Council Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) UK and has held leadership positions in other international bodies like the AICPA. He is also a visiting lecturer at the University of Colombo and the University of Ruhuna.
De Zoysa holds an MBA from the University of Colombo, where he graduated with merit honours and a gold medal. He is a Fellow of several prestigious institutions, including CIMA UK and the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka, and has completed executive education programs at the University Of Chicago Booth School Of Business.
BOC expressed confidence in de Zoysa’s ability to lead the bank to continued success under his stewardship.
