About Author

Mr. Samarasiri enjoys a public service career in the Central Bank of Sri Lanka spanned nearly 35 years, January 1983 to August 2017. He was the Deputy Governor supervising subjects of financial sector regulation and supervision at the time of his retirement. He performed several times to act for the Governor. Other key public positions held by Mr. Samarasiri covered Assistant Governor, Secretary to the Monetary Board, Compliance Officer and Director/Head of Bank Supervision of the Central Bank, Chairman of Sri Lanka Accounting and Auditing Standards Monitoring Board, Chairman of Credit Information Bureau of Sri Lanka, Chairman and Vice Chairman of Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka and a member of Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka and Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka.

His public service exposure covers compilation and analysis of economic statistics, formation of monetary and foreign exchange policies, regulation and supervision of banks and non-bank financial institutions, financial system stability, corporate governance, currency management, financial intelligence, compliance, securities markets, accounting and auditing, development credit and professional education in banking and finance.

He has been instrumental in several landmark economic and financial policies in Sri Lanka. Some of them cover regulations on corporate governance, share ownership, credit concentrations, deposit insurance and foreign borrowing of banks, examination of banks, foreign exchange liberalization and issuance of government securities.  

Mr. Samarasiri authored 11 books to promote education on subjects of economics, banking and finance with a practical approach. Also he has published many articles on same subjects of contemporary interest.

Mr. Samarasiri holds a BA Degree (Hons) in Economics from University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and a MA in Economics from the University of Kansas, USA. He has received training and knowledge exposures at leading international institutes such as IMF and World Bank.

His current research interest covers innovations into macroeconomic governance, monetary policy, fiscal policy, central banking, banking and financial stability.