Dual Legacy in Finance and Education
Few leaders have managed to seamlessly bridge the worlds of corporate finance and professional education. Indraka Liyanage, President of AAT Sri Lanka and Regional Head of Risk Management for Sri Lanka and Maldives at Habib Bank Ltd, is one such individual. With a career shaped by high-stakes decisions, cross-sector leadership, and a resolute commitment to purpose, Indraka stands at the forefront of redefining what it means to be a future-ready finance professional.
From the boardrooms of corporate banking to the board meetings of AAT Sri Lanka, Indraka’s journey has been marked by defining moments that tested his leadership under pressure. As a senior executive navigating the turbulence of an economic downturn, he recalls the clarity and moral conviction required to make difficult decisions, balancing institutional stability with customer trust. “Courage,” he reflects, “is not just about taking bold steps, it’s about standing firm when the easy route is to retreat.”
His transition from banking to education came at another inflection point: a world rocked by the pandemic, automation, and shifting economic realities. Leading AAT Sri Lanka through this uncharted territory meant confronting the limitations of traditional education models and embracing a new mandate, one that prioritizes agility, digital fluency, and visionary leadership.
In addition to his current roles, Indraka is a Member of the Advisory Board of RIMS South Asia and has served as the President of the MBA Alumni of the Open University of Sri Lanka. He is a Senior Fellow Member of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka, a Member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors, and a Fellow Member of the Institute of Credit Management of the United Kingdom. His professional influence extends into academia, having been a visiting lecturer for many universities and professional institutions, and he is a Vocational Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI). An alumnus of Royal College Colombo, Indraka has provided leadership to numerous initiatives at AAT, including national conferences and CSR projects in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Managers and a Member of the Organisation of Professional Associations. His expertise is further enriched by international training in management and over 32 years of experience in banking and finance. He was a charter member of the Association for Risk Professionals in the Banking Sector of Sri Lanka and served as its former Vice President.
At the heart of Indraka’s vision for AAT Sri Lanka is a bold question: What should a finance professional look like in the next decade?
The answer, he believes, lies in radically reshaping how accounting and finance are taught. “The traditional model of finance education focused heavily on compliance, bookkeeping, and historical analysis. While those foundations remain relevant, they are no longer sufficient.”
Under his leadership, AAT has made significant strides to embed real-world relevance into its qualifications. The curriculum now integrates cutting-edge tools such as AI-driven platforms, data analytics, and financial automation. There’s a growing emphasis on soft skills like leadership, critical thinking, and communication, areas that machines cannot replicate. Importantly, AAT is cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset among its students, preparing them not just to function within systems, but to innovate, lead, and transform them.
“We’re not just preparing accounting technicians,” Indraka says with clarity. “We are shaping agile professionals who can lead transformation in a world of constant change.”
Indraka’s corporate roots remain deeply influential in his approach to leadership. With decades of experience spanning risk, credit, and operations, he currently serves as the Regional Head of Risk Management for Sri Lanka and Maldives at Habib Bank Ltd, holding the rank of Deputy General Manager II. In this role, he oversees credit and enterprise risk governance across two countries, aligning regulatory expectations with strategic business decisions. His portfolio includes managing credit exposure, operational risk frameworks, and ensuring robust internal controls, roles that demand both technical precision and strategic foresight. This grounding in risk has shaped his leadership ethos. “Effective leadership is not about avoiding risk, it’s about understanding it deeply enough to take bold, calculated steps with confidence.”
At AAT, he has applied the same principles, evaluating the risks of change without allowing fear to halt progress. From overhauling the qualification framework to forging stronger ties with industry, his decisions are anchored in data, stakeholder insight, and long-term value.
Beyond the accolades, runner-up in SLIM’s Who Wants to Be a CEO, Best Chief Risk Officer (International), Best Professional of the Year (International), and experience as Board Secretary to both the Board Credit Committee and the Integrated Risk Management Committee, what defines Indraka is his belief in purposeful leadership.
He shares this advice for emerging professionals:
For Indraka, leadership is not about clinging to legacy; it’s about reshaping it with intent. Whether navigating global banking challenges or steering an educational institution through reinvention, he brings a compass forged in courage and a mindset rooted in transformation. At AAT Sri Lanka, he’s not merely guiding a qualification; he’s empowering a movement, one where future professionals are not just prepared for the industry, but poised to redefine it.
From the boardrooms of corporate banking to the board meetings of AAT Sri Lanka, Indraka’s journey has been marked by defining moments that tested his leadership under pressure. As a senior executive navigating the turbulence of an economic downturn, he recalls the clarity and moral conviction required to make difficult decisions, balancing institutional stability with customer trust. “Courage,” he reflects, “is not just about taking bold steps, it’s about standing firm when the easy route is to retreat.”
His transition from banking to education came at another inflection point: a world rocked by the pandemic, automation, and shifting economic realities. Leading AAT Sri Lanka through this uncharted territory meant confronting the limitations of traditional education models and embracing a new mandate, one that prioritizes agility, digital fluency, and visionary leadership.
In addition to his current roles, Indraka is a Member of the Advisory Board of RIMS South Asia and has served as the President of the MBA Alumni of the Open University of Sri Lanka. He is a Senior Fellow Member of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka, a Member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors, and a Fellow Member of the Institute of Credit Management of the United Kingdom. His professional influence extends into academia, having been a visiting lecturer for many universities and professional institutions, and he is a Vocational Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI). An alumnus of Royal College Colombo, Indraka has provided leadership to numerous initiatives at AAT, including national conferences and CSR projects in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Managers and a Member of the Organisation of Professional Associations. His expertise is further enriched by international training in management and over 32 years of experience in banking and finance. He was a charter member of the Association for Risk Professionals in the Banking Sector of Sri Lanka and served as its former Vice President.
At the heart of Indraka’s vision for AAT Sri Lanka is a bold question: What should a finance professional look like in the next decade?
The answer, he believes, lies in radically reshaping how accounting and finance are taught. “The traditional model of finance education focused heavily on compliance, bookkeeping, and historical analysis. While those foundations remain relevant, they are no longer sufficient.”
Under his leadership, AAT has made significant strides to embed real-world relevance into its qualifications. The curriculum now integrates cutting-edge tools such as AI-driven platforms, data analytics, and financial automation. There’s a growing emphasis on soft skills like leadership, critical thinking, and communication, areas that machines cannot replicate. Importantly, AAT is cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset among its students, preparing them not just to function within systems, but to innovate, lead, and transform them.
“We’re not just preparing accounting technicians,” Indraka says with clarity. “We are shaping agile professionals who can lead transformation in a world of constant change.”
Indraka’s corporate roots remain deeply influential in his approach to leadership. With decades of experience spanning risk, credit, and operations, he currently serves as the Regional Head of Risk Management for Sri Lanka and Maldives at Habib Bank Ltd, holding the rank of Deputy General Manager II. In this role, he oversees credit and enterprise risk governance across two countries, aligning regulatory expectations with strategic business decisions. His portfolio includes managing credit exposure, operational risk frameworks, and ensuring robust internal controls, roles that demand both technical precision and strategic foresight. This grounding in risk has shaped his leadership ethos. “Effective leadership is not about avoiding risk, it’s about understanding it deeply enough to take bold, calculated steps with confidence.”
At AAT, he has applied the same principles, evaluating the risks of change without allowing fear to halt progress. From overhauling the qualification framework to forging stronger ties with industry, his decisions are anchored in data, stakeholder insight, and long-term value.
Beyond the accolades, runner-up in SLIM’s Who Wants to Be a CEO, Best Chief Risk Officer (International), Best Professional of the Year (International), and experience as Board Secretary to both the Board Credit Committee and the Integrated Risk Management Committee, what defines Indraka is his belief in purposeful leadership.
He shares this advice for emerging professionals:
- Know your fundamentals – master the principles of risk, strategy, and human impact.
- Challenge tradition but do it with purpose, not impulse.
- Lead collaboratively – diverse perspectives reduce blind spots.
- Trust your conviction, especially when the path forward is unclear.
For Indraka, leadership is not about clinging to legacy; it’s about reshaping it with intent. Whether navigating global banking challenges or steering an educational institution through reinvention, he brings a compass forged in courage and a mindset rooted in transformation. At AAT Sri Lanka, he’s not merely guiding a qualification; he’s empowering a movement, one where future professionals are not just prepared for the industry, but poised to redefine it.
