Mr. Dharshan Jayaratne
Independent Non-Executive Director
Mr. Jayaratne is a career banker with over 31-years of experience, across some of the world’s leading international banks in Sri Lanka. This includes more than 27 years specializing in Treasury and Financial Markets. Over the course of his career, he has developed a deep understanding of Treasury & Investment Management, Money Markets, Foreign Exchange & Rates Trading, Debt Capital Markets and Structured Products.
His career began at ABN AMRO Bank in 1993, where he gained a solid foundation and acquired essential expertise in the core principles of general banking until moving to the bank’s Treasury Department in 1997, providing him the necessary base for his future growth and success in the banking sector. In 2002, he joined Citibank’s Treasury Division, where he broadened his knowledge in Foreign Exchange Trading & Money Markets whilst also being accountable for Liquidity Management of the bank. This skill set was further honed after joining Standard Chartered Bank in 2004 – a move that marked the beginning of a distinguished tenure spanning two decades in progressively senor leadership roles. By 2011, he was promoted as an Executive Director of Standard Chartered and was appointed Head of Financial Markets Sri Lanka. With this post he was also made a member of the Country Management Team and became part of the bank’s Key Management Personnel, positions he held with distinction until September 2024. During this period, he also took on additional leadership responsibilities from time to time, including Co-Head of Wholesale Banking, Head of Foreign Exchange & Rates Trading, Head of Asset and Liability Management and Head of Financing & Security Services.
Mr. Jayaratne’s keen business acumen coupled with his deep understanding of markets, macroeconomics and risk management allowed him to successfully align financial markets strategy with the organizational goals. His ability to anticipate economic cycles and navigate market volatility proved particularly valuable during the recent financial crisis, where he played a pivotal role in safeguarding client confidence of Standard Chartered bank while strengthening its regulatory relationship. This exemplifies not only his high standard of professional and ethical excellence but also a steadfast commitment to the advancement of Sri Lanka’s financial sector.
Mr. Jayaratne is an alumnus of Royal College Colombo and holds an MBA from the University of Western Sydney, Australia.
