Sunil Mendis

Sunil Mendis
Born	Sri Lanka
Occupation(s)	Business leader, Banker
Years active	42 years at Hayleys; Governor of Central Bank (2004–2006)
Known for	Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Sunil Mendis is a distinguished Sri Lankan business leader and former head of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. After dedicating 42 years to Hayleys, one of the country's leading conglomerates, he eventually assumed the roles of chairman and CEO. His education includes attendance at St. Servatius' College and Royal College, Colombo, and he holds membership in the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Prior to his tenure at the Central Bank, Mendis contributed as a committee member of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and served on the board of directors for the Bank of Ceylon. His directorships extended to several organizations such as the Private Sector Infrastructure Development Company, the United States Educational Foundation in Sri Lanka, Export Development Board, and the Board of Investment. He was also appointed to the Presidential Salaries Commission.

Mendis took office as Governor of the Central Bank on 1 July 2004. Between 2004 and 2005, he led the Government’s Sovereign Rating Committee and held a directorial position at the National Council for Economic Development under the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS). In recognition of his service, he received the Deshamanya honor from the Sri Lankan Government in 2005. Despite facing difficulties arising from the 2004 tsunami, he managed interest rate modifications aimed at facilitating economic recovery during that period.

Throughout his professional journey, Mendis has participated on more than 100 boards across both public and private sectors within Sri Lanka, as well as seven international enterprises. He stepped down from his role as Central Bank Governor on 30 June 2006, completing only two years of a six-year term following President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s election. Subsequently, he took on a directorship at Cargills PLC.