According to an official statement, the appointments were made on the recommendation of the Central Bank’s Governing Board, in accordance with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023. Dr. Amarasekara assumed office on October 24, while Sirikumara is set to take up his duties on November 3.
Dr. Amarasekara has served the Central Bank for over two decades and was most recently an assistant governor overseeing economic research, statistics, market operations, facilities management, and macroprudential surveillance. He also served as secretary to the Monetary Policy Board. From 2022 to 2024, he was seconded to the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., as alternate executive director for the constituency of Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. He holds a Ph.D. and master’s degree in economics from the University of Manchester, UK, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Peradeniya.
Sirikumara has more than 25 years of experience at the Central Bank, working in areas such as currency management, public debt, deposit insurance, financial sector resolution, and corporate services. He has also contributed to financial sector law reforms and governance initiatives. Sirikumara holds master’s degrees in law from Monash University, Australia, and the University of Colombo, a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Colombo, and is an attorney-at-law. He currently serves as vice chairman of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka.
