NIROSHINI RATHNASINGHE

MANAGER, REGIONAL CREDIT UNIT, GAMPAHA REGIONAL HEAD OFFICE, PEOPLE'S BANK

- By Dr. Sulochana Segera

In an era where banking is rapidly transforming through technology, innovation, and a renewed focus on customer experience, few professionals embody this evolution as wholly as Niroshini Rathnasinghe. With a 24-year journey at People's Bank, she has seamlessly transitioned from frontline operations to retail banking, IT administration, product innovation, and now, credit leadership.

Today, she leads the Regional Credit Unit at the Gampaha Regional Head Office, navigating complex financial decisions with empathy, insight, and resilience. A Chartered Marketer, MBA holder, and mentor, Niroshini's career is a masterclass in adaptability and purpose. She speaks to us about her unlikely start in banking, the values that shaped her trajectory, and the responsibility she feels to empower the next generation; especially women. In this candid conversation, Niroshini opens up about professional reinvention, building inclusive workplaces, and the power of living one's truth as both a leader and a mother.

Why did you choose to be a banker? Was this a childhood dream or a decision that evolved with time?

I didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a banker. As a child, I aspired to become a medical doctor. However, I've always been a people person. I wanted to work in a space where empowerment and inspiration were mutual, where I could grow while helping others grow. Life has a beautiful way of guiding us to our purpose. When I joined People’s Bank at the age of 19, I immediately felt a strong connection with the meaningful impact we make in people's lives. Over time, I fell in love with the purpose-driven nature of banking, the ability to empower individuals, businesses, and communities through financial solutions. It became more than a job; it became my mission.