Indunil Wickramasinghe
Laying a foundation
Q: What took you to Jordan from your homeland Sri Lanka – and how has your experience in the Middle East been so far?
A: Upon successful completion of my first project in Oman, Bank of Ceylon entrusted me with the relaunch of its foreign remittance services in Jordan following a hiatus of more than a decade.
This was a part of the bank’s international expansion strategy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. As the country representative, I’m relishing the challenge of laying the foundation of Bank of Ceylon’s return to Jordan.
The support of Jordanian nationals has been absolutely overwhelming and incredibly welcoming. Their willingness and open-mindedness to collaborate have made my transition very smooth.
Overall, the experience so far has been both challenging and rewarding.
Q: Are you in touch with Sri Lankans in Jordan? If so, how do you stay connected with them?
A: Staying connected with the Sri Lankan community in Jordan is part and parcel of my role at the Bank of Ceylon. I collaborate closely with Sri Lanka’s embassy here and other Sri Lankan organisations. Indeed, I meet Sri Lankans as part of my daily routine.
In addition, I use many social media platforms to keep in touch with fellow Sri Lankans living in Jordan. My primary objectives for being in touch with the local community include staying connected, answering queries, empowering Sri Lankans with financial literacy and assisting them with their banking needs.
Q: Have you had an opportunity to travel within Jordan or explore other countries in the region? If so, what have been the highlights of your travels?
A: Since 2013, my work in the MENA region has taken me to countries such as Oman and Lebanon, which are rich in diverse cultural aspects.
As for Jordan, I have travelled extensively, experiencing the many facets of its culture. Having said that, the real treasures of my travels haven’t been places but the people I meet.
Q: How do you view the conflicts in the region – and is there hope for a lasting peace in Palestine someday, in your assessment?
A: In my opinion, the conflicts in the Middle East – particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – are undeniably complex; they’re entrenched in historical, political and sociocultural factors.
From my perspective, achieving a lasting peace in Palestine requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the concerns and aspirations of both parties.
Achieving a lasting peace in Palestine is undoubtedly challenging but it isn’t impossible. With sustained commitment, collective efforts and the support of the international community, there is hope for Palestine’s future.
FACT FILE
FAMILY
Daughter – Diyathna
Wife – Thilini
SCHOOLING
Weeraketiya Rajapaksa Central College
HIGHER EDUCATION
Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (IBSL)
PRESENT OCCUPATION
Country Representative – Bank of Ceylon
COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE
Jordan
CITY OF RESIDENCE
Amman
CV IN A NUTSHELL
Hailing from southern Sri Lanka, Indunil Wickramasinghe is the eldest of three brothers. He is a professional banker specialising in cross border remittances and marketing in the international arena. His career began at Seylan Bank in 2005.
Wickramasinghe’s first overseas assignment was in Oman from 2013 to 2017. He built a robust network that facilitated seamless and secure cross border transactions, ensuring satisfied remittance partners and the Sri Lankan expatriate community in Oman.
Since 2022, he has been using his expertise to further develop Bank of Ceylon’s remittance market in Jordan, which had been dormant for more than a decade.