Mr. Kumar Abayanayaka This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Hypercom Corporation - Home

   www.hypercom.com/web/news/disp - [Cached]

   Published on: 8/3/2001   Last Visited: 9/6/2002

   "Sampath Bank is very pleased to join with Hypercom in introducing the first debit card system in Sri Lanka," said Kumar Abayanayaka, general manager and CEO of Sampath Bank. "This represents a major benefit for our customers, a milestone for the banking industry in Sri Lanka, and it underscores Sampath Bank's commitment to embracing the most advanced and reliable technology solutions."

2. 2. The Sunday Times On The Web - Business

   www.lacnet.org/suntimes/960421 - [Cached]

   Published on: 4/21/1996   Last Visited: 11/21/2001

   Sampath Bank Deputy General Manager Kumar Abayanayaka said when a branch was opened in Anuradhapura last year, it was swamped with over 1000 applications for its trademark SET automated teller cards.
   
   Sampath was rated the best bank in Sri Lanka by Asiamoney magazine last month. "Sampath Bank is the most technologically advanced bank in Sri Lanka. Its sophisticated computer system enables deposits to be better utilised and funding costs to be kept down," the magazine commented.
   
   "Sampath started as an urban and suburban bank," Mr. Abayanayaka said. "People took to digital electronic technology more easily in the urban areas. But now the message has filtered to the countryside."
   
   At present the bank operates 23 branches with plans to open three more outside the city this year.
   
   Asiamoney made special mention of the bank's costs as a proportion of income which were the lowest among local banks, at 49 per cent.
   ...
   Mr. Abayanayaka says technology plays a major role in keeping costs down. "This takes a lot of donkey work out of the business. So our people are more thinkers than doers. We have been able to maintain our staff strength at around 900," he said.
   
   In addition, computerised systems has also enabled the bank to benefit from fast and accurate management information, which resulted in better decision making.
   
   Analysts say Sampath was one of the few banks that were net lenders in the inter- bank market at a time when most banks were tight for money. "We were liquid because we were prudent lenders," Mr. Abayanayaka said.
   
   Last year, the bank has made a post-tax profit of Rs. 241mn, up 41 per cent from 1995. Deposits had grown by Rs. 1,200 mn to Rs. 8,190 mn, and gross assets by Rs. 2000mn to Rs, 12,000mn.
   ...
   "We think 1996 might be a little tougher," said Mr. Abayanayaka. "We felt there may be some clients who may get into trouble and we had enough profits this year to provide for it," he said.
   
   Trade with Brazil on the rise
   
   Two way trade between Brazil and Sri Lanka has grown 37 fold during the past five years, according to statistics released by the Brazilian embassy in Sri Lanka.
   
   Two way trade had climbed to Rs. 4479 million in 1995, up from Rs.