Kimarli Fernando

Chairperson, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

Kimarli is the Chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism, heading the Government’s four main Tourism entities; Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau, and Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management. This is the first time that one Chairperson was appointed to all four Boards; she is also the first woman in the role. She has been a member of the Presidential Task Force for Prevention of COVID 19 since 2020.

Kimarli is a very focused, determined and result-oriented corporate leader with over 30 years of experience and a proven track record in corporate governance & ethical practices in the banking industry and private sector, including in local and foreign banks, together with work experience in Frankfurt in the area of Corporate Finance. She has served on the board of several listed companies.

Kimarli has an LLB (Hons) from London School of Economics and Political Science and is a Barrister-at-Law at Lincoln’s Inn, UK and an Attorney-at-law in Sri Lanka. She is a life member of the Sri Lanka Bar Association and Law Society of Sri Lanka.

She has a Certificate in Human Resource Management from the Postgraduate Institute of Management in Sri Lanka and a Diploma in Child Psychology.

Kimarli authored “Company Law of Sri Lanka” 2nd edition, a definitive reference book for students and practitioners of Company Law in Sri Lanka.

She led the publication of the Handbook “Barrier Free Access” for an international bank, a pioneering guide for business to comply with the law and spirit of inclusion for those with disabilities in the workplace. In recognition of her achievements, she was awarded Professional Woman of the Year 2007 and Woman of Achievement for Banking in 2009.