Deshamanya A S Jayawardena (1995 – 2004)

Deshamanya A S Jayawardena was the tenth Governor, assuming duties in November 1995 and vacating his position in June 2004.

Deshamanya A S Jayawardena studied at St. Thomas’ College Matale and Royal College, Colombo. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya with a BA (Hons.) Degree in Economics in 1957. Obtaining his MSc in Economics specialising in Public Sector Economics from the London School of Economics in 1965, he proceeded to obtain his Master’s Degree in Public Administration specialising in Public Finance from the Harvard University in 1975. While at Harvard, Mr. Jayawardena was an Edward Mason Fellow.

Deshamanya Jayawardena joined the Central Bank in 1958 and served in the Secretariat, Establishments and Economic Research departments before he was appointed as Director of Economic Research (1977 – 1980). He was Assistant to the Governor and Executive Director during 1980-1981 and served as the Alternate Executive Director of the IMF from 1981 -1986. He served as Deputy Governor from 1986 – 1989 and was the Senior Deputy Governor from 1993-1994.

Deshamanya Jayawardena was on release from Central Bank and served in several public institutions. To mention a few, during 1976 – 1977 he was General Manager (Chief Executive) Bank of Ceylon and again in 1989 he was Chairman, Bank of Ceylon and Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka. During the period 1989-1993 he was  Secretary, Ministry of Industries, Science and Technology and from 1994-1995 he was Secretary, to the Treasury and Secretary Ministry of Finance, Planning, Ethnic Affairs & National Integration. He also served as a visiting lecturer in Economics at Sri Lanka Universities during 1965 – 1976.

In 2001, Deshamanya Jayawardena was an award winner at the World Bank Development Marketplace Competition. He was awarded the title of “Deshamanya” in 2005 by the Sri Lankan Government.