Siyapatha Finance PLC has announced the appointment of Deshal de Mel and Nishani De Zoysa as Independent Non-Executive Directors to its Board, effective May 18, 2026.
Mr. Deshal de Mel is a prominent Sri Lankan economist and corporate leader, recognized for his substantial expertise in economic policy, financial markets, and corporate governance. He has previously served as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director at Sampath Bank PLC, where he played a key role in shaping the bank’s strategic direction and governance practices.
Throughout his career, Mr. de Mel has held significant positions in both the public and private sectors. He was an Economic Advisor for the Ministry of Finance, actively participating in the development and reform of macroeconomic policies. Additionally, he served as a Commissioner for the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, overseeing regulations within the capital market.
In the corporate realm, he has been involved with various leading organizations, currently serving on the boards of Capital Alliance PLC and Fairfirst Insurance Ltd, and previously with Janashakthi Insurance PLC. His contributions to the Hayleys Group also include senior roles that focused on economic analysis and business strategy.
Mr. de Mel holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Oxford, along with a Master of Science in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has been recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and is a member of both the Board Integrated Risk Management Committee and the Board Nominations and Governance Committee at Siyapatha Finance PLC.
Ms. Nishani De Zoysa brings over 30 years of experience in the banking sector, specializing in Corporate Banking, Project Finance, and Development Finance. She worked at DFCC Bank PLC from July 2003 until November 2024, where she most recently held the position of Assistant Vice President in Corporate Banking. In this role, she managed substantial corporate portfolios with complete profit and loss and risk accountability, and was instrumental in structuring complex financing arrangements, including syndicated and project finance deals.
Her extensive background includes stakeholder engagement with government entities, state-owned enterprises, and major corporations, as well as a strong focus on credit risk management and portfolio governance. Before her tenure at DFCC, Ms. De Zoysa held various positions at Seylan Bank PLC, gaining comprehensive experience in both corporate and retail banking operations.
She holds an MBA from the University of Colombo with Merit and is an Associate Member of CIMA (UK) and the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka. Additionally, she has obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from CIM (UK). Within Siyapatha Finance PLC, she is a member of the Board Human Resources and Remuneration Committee and the Board Audit Committee.
