2024-06-28 | Banking Act Direction No. 03 of 2024The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has amended Directions 2.1 and 2.3 of the Banking Act Directions No. 08 of 2019 to mandate licensed banks to submit a standardized Affidavit and Schedule II for assessing the fitness and propriety of proposed and continuing directors. The updated framework requires comprehensive disclosure of academic and professional qualifications, relevant industry experience, regulatory findings, insolvency status, shareholdings, and material business transactions with close relations. Company secretaries must forward these completed documents to the Central Bank prior to director appointments, elections, or nominations to ensure accurate regulatory evaluation.
28 June2024 CENTRAL BANK OF SRI L.{NKA BANKING ACT DIRECTIONS No.03 of2024 AMENDMENTS TO THE BANKING ACT DIRECTIONS NO. 08 OF 2019 ON ASSESSMENT OF FITNESS AND PROPRIETY OF DIRECTORS OF LICENSED BANKS IN SRI LAI\KA Banking Act Directions No. 08 of 2019 dated 19.12.2019 on Assessment of Fitness and Propriety of Directors of Licensed Banks in Sri Lanka are hereby amended by replacing Directions 2.1 and 2.3 as givOn below. 2 Information to be fumished and deadline for submission 2.1 2.3 The person proposed to be appointed, elected or nominated as a Director of a licensed bank shall submit the original Affidavit as given in Schedule I hereto, for the assessment of fitness and propriety before such person is appointed, elected or nominated to the licensed bank. The Cornpany Secretary shall forward the Affidavit and Schedule II hereto with respect to the person proposed to be appointed, elected or nominated as a Director of a licensed bank and the continuing Directors of a licensed bank. ) No*J^_ f Mrs.KMANDaulagala Chief Executive Officer/Senior Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka
2 Schedule I Affidavit to be submitted by Directors proposed to be appointed/elected/nominated in licensed commercial banks and licensed specialised banks (hereinafter referred to as licensed banks) and the continuing Directors of licensed banks in terms of sections 42, and 76H of the Banking Act, No. 30 of 1988 (As amended) AFFIDAVIT I ….………………………………………………………………………….……… (full name), holder of National Identity Card No1 .……….……………… and Passport No. …………………… of …….…………………………………………………….…………… (address), being a [Buddhist / Hindu/ Muslim/ Christian / Catholic/other ……………………. (please specify)] do hereby [solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and make oath/affirm (please specify as appropriate)] as follows: 1 I am the [affirmant / deponent] above named. 2 I state that I have been proposed to be appointed, elected or nominated as the …………...………………………. (designation) of ………………………………….… (name of bank), which is a licensed commercial bank/licensed specialised bank under the Banking Act, No. 30 of 1988 (as amended). 3 I state that I possess the following academic and/or professional qualification/s in Banking, Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, Information Technology, Risk Management, Law or any other relevant discipline as may be determined by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka according to the mandate/business model of the bank. Qualifications Relevant Discipline Country Name of the Institution Year of Completion Academic (i) (ii) Professional (i) (ii) 1 Not applicable for expatriates.
3 4 I state that I possess the following effective experience in Banking, Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, Information Technology, Risk Management, Law or any other relevant discipline as may be determined by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, according to the mandate/business model of the bank. Description Name of the Institution/ Own Business Designation /Position Nature of Appointment* Work Specialization Date of Appoint ment (dd/mm / yyyy) Service Period (dd/mm/ yyyy to dd/mm/ y yyy) Current Positions Directorships Other Positions Previous Positions Directorships Other Positions
4 8 I state that I am/am not an undischarged insolvent or have been/not been declared a bankrupt in Sri Lanka or outside Sri Lanka. 9 I state that I have failed/not failed to satisfy any judgment or order of any court whether in Sri Lanka or outside Sri Lanka, to repay a debt. 10 I state that I have been/not been declared by a court of competent jurisdiction in Sri Lanka or outside Sri Lanka, to be of unsound mind. 11 I state that I have been/not been removed or suspended by an order of a regulatory or supervisory authority from serving as a Director/Chief Executive Officer/Officer Performing Executive Functions or any other officer in a licensed bank or any other financial institution or corporate body, in Sri Lanka or outside Sri Lanka. 12 I state that I have been/not been a Director, Chief Executive Officer or have held/not held any other position of authority in any bank or financial institution – (i) whose licence has been suspended or cancelled; or (ii) which has been wound up or is being wound up, or which is being compulsorily liquidated; whether in Sri Lanka or outside Sri Lanka. 13 I state that to the best of my knowledge I am a fit and proper person proposed to be appointed, elected or nominated as an Independent Non-Executive/ Non-Independent NonExecutive/ Executive/ Alternate/ Ex-officio Director/ Other (specify) of a licensed bank in terms of the provisions of the Banking Act No.30 of 1988 (as amended). 14 I state that I am not prevented by any written law from being appointed to the above post. 15 I state that the information given in Annex I hereto is to the best of my knowledge and belief, true and complete. The averments contained herein were read over to the [affirmant/deponent] who having understood the contents hereof and having accepted same as true, affirmed/swore to and placed his/her signature at ………. on this ……… day of ……… (Month, Year) Before me JUSTICE OF THE PEACE / COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS Affix stamps as applicable
5 Annex I Declaration to be submitted by proposed/continuing Directors in licensed banks Passport Size Photo (Taken within last 6 months) DECLARATION Name of the Bank: Personal Information, Qualifications and Business Transactions
6 1.4 (i) Post/Designation proposed to be appointed in the bank: (ii) Proposed date of appointment to the Post/Designation (dd/mm/yyyy) 1.5 (i) Nature of the appointment (Please mark X in relevant box(es): Independent Executive Alternate Non-Independent NonExecutive Ex-officio Senior Director Other (Please Specify) (ii) If non-independent, reasons for determining as non-independent3 : (iii) If nominated by major shareholder/s, name/s of such nominating shareholder/s: (iv) If an Alternate, name of the Principal Director: 1.6 1.6.1 Details of close relations in terms of Section 86 of the Banking Act No.30 of 1988 (as amended) (i) Full name of the Spouse: (ii) NIC No: (iii) Passport No: 1.6.2. Details of dependent children (i) Full Name (ii)NIC No: (iii) Passport No: 2. Additional Qualifications: Special Assignments / Consultancy/Advisory/Audit Services Name of the Institution Description Service Period (dd/mm/yyyy to dd/mm/yyyy) (i) (ii) 3. Details of all direct and/or indirect share ownership in entities, presently held. Name of the Institution/s Voting/Nonvoting No. of Shares For Indirect Holdings, Name of the Institution of Direct Holding Percentage Holding Direct Indirect Direct Indi rect 3 Please refer the criteria for determining independence of a director specified in the Banking Act, Directions No. 11 of 2007 and 12 of 2007 on Corporate Governance of Licensed Banks in Sri Lanka (as amended).
7 4. Business Transactions 4.1 I state that I have/do not have deposits with the bank, its subsidiaries4 or associate companies5 (If yes, please state name/s of the institution/s). 4.2 I state that I currently have (had) the following business transactions during the two years immediately preceding the appointment, with licensed banks, their subsidiaries, associate companies and affiliated companies/entities, and other related parties6 of the licensed bank, and other financial institutions as defined in the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No.16 of 2023. Name of the Institution/s Date of Transaction (dd/mm/yyyy) Amount as at dd/mm/yyyy (Rs. mn) Classificatio n (Performing/ Nonperforming) Type and Value of Collatera l (Rs.mn) % of Bank’s Regulatory Capital/Relevant Entity’s Capital Limit Outstanding Borrowings7 Investments8 4.3 I state that I am the Guarantor for the following business transactions. Type of Transaction Name of the Institution/s Date of Transaction (dd/mm/yyyy) Amount as at dd/mm/yyyy (Rs.mn) 4.4 I state that I currently have/ do not have or have had/ have not had during the two years immediately preceding the appointment, a material business relationship9 with the licensed bank. 4 ‘Subsidiary’ as defined in Section 17(3) of the Banking Act No.30 of 1988 (as amended). 5 ‘Associate’ as defined in Section 46(1) of the Banking Act No.30 of 1988 (as amended). 6 ‘Related Parties’ as defined in the Banking Act Directions No. 11 of 2007 and 12 of 2007 on Corporate Governance of Licensed Banks in Sri Lanka (as amended). 7 Shall include on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet borrowings. 8 Shall include debt instruments. 9 “Material business relationship” shall mean a relationship resulting in income/non-cash benefits equivalent to 20 per cent of the director’s annual income. Any income/non-cash benefits received by such director which are applicable on a uniform basis to all non-executive directors on the board shall not be considered in calculating the annual income for this purpose.
8 5. Appointments, Shareholdings and Business Transactions of Close Relations 5.1 I state that my close relations10 are presently employed as directors, chief executive officers, or officers performing executive functions of the following licensed banks, their subsidiaries, associate companies, affiliated companies/entities, and other related parties of the licensed bank, and other financial institutions as defined in the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No.16 of 2023. Name of the Close Relation Name of the Institution Position 5.2 I state the following details of all direct and/or indirect share ownerships in entities, presently held by my close relations. Name of the close relations Voting/Nonvoting No. of Shares For Indirect Holdings, Name of the Institution of Direct Holding Percentage Holding Direct Indirect Direct Indi rect 5.3 I state that my close relations currently have (had) the following business transactions during the two years immediately preceding the appointment, with licensed banks, their subsidiaries, associate companies, affiliated companies/entities, and other related parties of the licensed bank, and other financial institutions as defined in the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act No.16 of 2023. 10 Close Relations as defined in the Section 86 of the Banking Act No.30 of 1988 (as amended). Name of the Close Relation Name of the Institution Date of Transaction (dd/mm/yy) Amount as at dd/mm/yyyy (Rs.mn) Type and Value of Collateral (Rs mn) % of Bank’s Regulatory Capital/relevant entity’s capital Limit Outstanding Borrowings7
9 6. Other Information 6.1 I state that I am subject to/not subject to supervision or regulation of regulatory authority/ies, supervisory authority/ies established outside Sri Lanka (if the answer is given in the affirmative, please specify the regulatory/supervisory authority). 6.2 I state that the following information of the inquiries/investigations to which I have been subject, conducted by the regulatory authority, supervisory authority, professional association, commission of inquiry, financial institution as defined in the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No.16 of 2023 or any other body established by law in Sri Lanka or outside Sri Lanka, if any: Year Name of the Institution Subject Matter Current Status 7. Any other explanation/information with regard to the information furnished above and other information considered relevant for assessing the suitability of the proposed or continuing director. DECLARATION: I state that I am aware of the provisions of the Banking Act, No. 30 of 1988 (as amended) and the Directions and Determinations issued thereunder, on assessment of fitness and propriety of my position and confirm that the above information is to the best of my knowledge and belief true and complete. I undertake to keep the licensed bank fully informed, as soon as possible, of all subsequent events, which are relevant to the information provided above. Date:____________ ______________________________ Signature of the Director proposed to be appointed/elected /nominated Investments8
10 Guidance to Duly Complete the Affidavit and Declaration to be submitted by the Proposed/ Continuing Directors of Licensed Banks incorporated in Sri Lanka This guidance is issued to ensure that complete and accurate information is provided by licensed banks for assessing the fitness and propriety of Directors, prior to his/her appointment, election or nomination, as the case may be, to the respective licensed bank in Sri Lanka.
11 (iv) Strike-out the irrelevant word(s). If the irrelevant words are stricken out, the Commissioner for Oaths/Justice of the Peace should place his initials immediately after all such amendments. If the answer is given in the affirmative, provide relevant information. (v) If the person is a foreigner and signs the Affidavit while in overseas: • Signature of the person should be attested by a Commissioner for Oaths or an equivalent in the country in which he places his signature. • Attestation should be made in front of the diplomatic, consular officer of Sri Lanka in the country where the Director resides or in terms of the laws applicable in such country. (vi) Affix a stamp for the value applicable as at the date of signing the Affidavit, if applicable. (vii) If the affidavit is executed in Sri Lanka, the same shall be attested by a Commissioner for Oaths/Justice of the Peace immediately after placing the signature of the person at ‘Before me.’ 3. Declaration (i) All sections of the Declaration should be:
12 Schedule II Assessment of Fitness and Propriety of Directors of Licensed Banks in Sri Lanka Information to be submitted by the Company Secretary