The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha

The Minister stated that return on equity in State banks should be assessed through a detailed decomposition analysis to identify operational drivers, including administrative cost impacts. He noted that financial conditions are stabilizing and emphasized the importance of a sound financial system, with State banks playing a major role. He also said past appointments to bank governing bodies had included unqualified or inexperienced persons, and cited the appointment of the current Bank of Ceylon Chairman, a former Citibank Country Director, as an example of merit-based selection.