Alternate Financial Institutions Association appoints new board

Siddeeque Akbar

Suresh R.I. Perera

Rifka Ziyard

Ilsam Awfer

Bahar Nayan

Hisham Ally

The Association of Alternate Financial Institutions (AAFI) appointed its new board for the year 2026/2027, at the Annual General Meeting held recently.

The AAFI is the national representative body for Sri Lanka’s non‑interest‑based alternate finance sector, uniting a diverse spectrum of financial institutions and stakeholders. It serves as the collective voice of the industry, driving policy dialogue, regulatory alignment and sector development across the country.

President Siddeeque Akbar, Vice President Suresh R.I. Perera, Secretary Rifka Ziyard, Assistant Secretary Ilsam Awfer, Treasurer Bahar Nayan and Assistant Treasurer Hisham Ally were unanimously re-elected for the below board positions, for a period of two years, with effect from January 2026. 

Siddeeque Akbar is the current Amana Bank Vice President Retail Banking and Marketing and was re-elected unanimously by the association members as its President. 

AAFI Vice President Suresh Perera and Secretary Rifka Ziyard are Principals Tax and Regulatory at KPMG. 

Bahar Nayan, who is currently attached to NDB as Islamic Banking Unit Senior Manager, was appointed as Treasurer while HNB Deputy General Manager Hisham Ally, was appointed as Assistant Treasurer and AFSU LOLC Finance Chief Manager Ilsam Awfer was appointed as Assistant Secretary. 

Under the direction of the AAFI board, the association looks forward to the new chapter in pursuing its vision of ensuring Sri Lanka optimises the full potential of this unique model of banking and finance.