Mr. Suren Swaminathan
Chairman of the Board
Suren Swaminathan is a veteran insurance professional and founder of Suren Agency LLC, with a strong background in insurance consultancy, hospitality, and marketing. His diverse professional journey has enabled him to mentor and support emerging entrepreneurs across industries. A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, he previously initiated the SLBC Ladies Wing during his earlier tenure as Chairman. He was recognised as Global Sri Lankan of the Year 2022 by Women in Management (WIM) Top 50 Global Awards in Dubai for his contributions to business and community development. He brings leadership, strategic vision, and community-driven values to the Council.
Mr. Shihan Sheriff
Vice Chairman
Shihan Sheriff is CFO of Esanjo, a diversified investment and technology group in Dubai with interests across real estate, venture capital, and fintech. He brings over 18 years of experience in finance and accounting across Sri Lanka and the UAE, including earlier roles at John Keells Hotels and Olive Real Estate. He also plays a key role in Nomod, a Y Combinator-backed payments technology company within Esanjo’s portfolio. He brings strong financial governance, operational discipline, and a technology-driven mindset to the Council, with a focus on efficiency, innovation, and sustainable growth.
Mr. Mohamed Rusan Fyroze
Deputy Vice Chairman
Mohamed Rusan Fyroze is a seasoned banking professional and business leader with over 32 years of experience across retail, SME, corporate banking, wealth management, and bancassurance. Known for his strategic leadership and customer-centric approach, he has successfully led business transformation initiatives, driven growth, and built high-performing teams throughout his career. In 2019, he became the Founding Member and Group CEO of Siraj Holding LLC, leading its expansion through strategic partnerships and acquisitions. He brings extensive financial sector expertise, strong leadership experience, and a commitment to innovation, governance, and sustainable business growth to the Council.
Ms. Lakna Amarasiri Godahena
Director, Secretary to the Board
Lakna Amarasiri Godahena is a human capital and management consulting executive with over 24 years of experience across South Asia and the Middle East. She has spent over 15 years at Korn Ferry as a Principal, specialising in organisational design, workforce transformation, and HR advisory. She advises leadership teams on aligning people strategy with business objectives to drive growth and organisational effectiveness. Known for her collaborative and pragmatic approach, she brings strong expertise in governance, talent strategy, and organisational development to support the Council’s leadership and operational effectiveness.
Mr. Fazlan Nizar
Director, Finance
Fazlan Nizar is a Dubai-based banking professional serving as Director – Finance, with extensive experience in corporate banking and financial management across Sri Lanka and the UAE. He brings strong expertise in financial strategy, operations, and client relationship management, with a solid understanding of regional markets. With a global professional outlook, he has built a career focused on financial governance and business advisory. He brings financial discipline, analytical strength, and a structured governance perspective to the Council.
Mr. Ajantha Premaratne
Director, Business Development
Ajantha Premaratne is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with over 40 years of experience in the construction and consultancy sector across Sri Lanka, Oman, and the UAE. He has held senior leadership roles with Dubai Municipality, Emaar Properties, Dubai Properties, and Deyaar Development, specialising in contracts, procurement, and commercial management. He is currently Managing Director of KAT Project Consultancy in Dubai. A former chairman and president of several professional associations, he brings deep industry expertise, governance experience, and strategic insight to support SLBC’s business development initiatives.
Ms. Shemani Jayasinghe
Director, Marketing
Shemani Jayasinghe is a branding and communications professional with over 20 years of experience across advertising, brand management, and digital marketing. She has worked across Sri Lanka and the UAE, supporting businesses in building integrated brand and marketing strategies that drive growth and market presence. She currently serves as General Manager at HeraMetrics, focusing on audience intelligence and data-driven insights, and is MARCOMS Director for J.M. Robertson’s specialty coffee and tea brands, including Department of Coffee. She is also Co-Founder of The Basics of Digital Marketing, helping entrepreneurs build practical digital skills. She brings strong expertise in brand strategy, digital transformation, and stakeholder engagement to SLBC.
Mr. Mohamed Naushard Faiz
Director, Events
Mohamed Naushard Faiz is a business professional with over 30 years of experience in marketing, corporate networking, and business development, currently working with a leading retail and distribution group in the UAE. He holds an MBA from the University of Wales and has built a strong track record in creating business connections and stakeholder engagement. At SLBC, he leads the planning and execution of forums, networking sessions, and trade events that strengthen UAE–Sri Lanka business relations. He brings deep industry networks and strong event leadership capability to the Council.
Hari Manikandan
Director, Memberships
Hari Manikandan is a Dubai-based insurance and risk management professional serving as Director – Memberships, with over 23 years of experience in regional corporate broking across the UAE, Oman, and Sri Lanka. He brings extensive expertise in insurance advisory, programme design, underwriting placement, claims management, and client servicing, with a strong focus on supporting large corporate and regional accounts. With a deep understanding of multi-market insurance structures, he has built a career focused on delivering structured risk solutions and long-term client value. He brings strong technical capability, service discipline, and a relationship-driven approach to the Council.