Sri Lanka is experiencing a remarkable shift as women assume leadership roles across diverse sectors, from government and judiciary to corporate and law enforcement. The country has a history of trailblazing female leaders, and the trend continues to grow stronger.
Vindhya Jayasekera is the latest addition to this cadre of trailblazers. She has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Designate of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), effective January 2025, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s corporate landscape. Currently the Chief Investment Officer at NDB Wealth Management Limited, Jayasekera has overseen over 380 billion rupees in assets under management. A CFA Charterholder and Financial Risk Manager (FRM), her academic credentials include a Fulbright Scholarship with a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a First-Class Honours degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Moratuwa.
Jayasekera’s appointment underscores a broader narrative of women excelling in leadership roles. In politics, Sri Lanka has seen women like Harini Amarasuriya rise as influential figures in Parliament which has 21 women parliamentarians which is the highest number of women in parliament ever.
The judiciary, too, has seen women at the helm, with Murdu Fernando serving as the Chief Justice, many senior Police appointees are women.
Sri Lanka has long been a pioneer for women in leadership. It was the first country in the world to elect a female prime minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, in 1960.
