Harsha Basnayake: First ever Sri Lankan in EY's global board

Harsha Basnayake, a leader in EY’s Sri Lankan business, has been appointed to the firm’s Global Executive Board, becoming the first ever Sri Lankan to ascend to the company’s top board.

The Asia-Pacific region is a key part of EY’s business, employing over 60,000 people and contributing approximately 15% of global revenues. Yet that footprint does not often materialise into a leadership role for a company member with roots in the region, and never before for someone from Sri Lankan descent.

Until now, with the appointment of Harsha Basnayake to Global Managing Partner for Business Administration and Risk.

Basnayake began his career in 1987 in Colombo, where he was born, raised, and educated. In 1997, he joined EY’s team in Singapore, and has since then grown the ranks and held multiple leadership roles of growing seniority.

Notable roles include serving as Leader of the Strategy & Transactions division in Singapore and ASEAN, and more recently, as Managing Partner of Strategy & Transactions across Asia Pacific, overseeing a team of over 5,000 professionals and 500 partners in over 20 countries in the region.

Prior to his step up, Basnayake served as the Asia Pacific Deputy Area Managing Partner, expanding EY’s services, operations, investments, and financial impact in the region.

In his new global role, he will oversee EY’s governance, risk, and compliance functions and member firm relations to strengthen the global network and enhance agility in response to market trends.

EY’s Global Executive Board is the company’s most senior body and brings together leaders from functions, services and geographies. The 15-person board is led by Janet Truncale, EY’s US-based Global Chair and CEO.

Commenting on the milestone for the Asia-Pacific business, and Sri Lanka too, Duminda Hulangamuwa (Sri Lanka and Maldives Country Managing Partner) said: “We are immensely proud of Harsha’s appointment to the EY Global Executive Board in his new role. His outstanding leadership and unwavering drive will undoubtedly strengthen our global strategy and drive meaningful impact for our clients worldwide.”