Mr.Mapa was chosen by a panel chaired by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka with the representative of the Securities Exchange Commission, the Bar Council, the Organisation of the Professional Association and the Institute of Charted Accounts.

He was the unanimous choice after interviewing several other eminent candidates who had both applied and were nominated for consideration.

Complete transparency was observed in the selection of the Ombudsman by Public Advertisement in the Newspapers.

Mr. Mapa is an Attorney-at-law and Solicitor.

After completing 10 years in the Judicial Service he was appointed as Public Trustee of Sri Lanka. Having served 17 years in this prestigious position he was appointed as Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Myanmar which post he held for 3 1/2 years.

After retirement from Government service Mr. Mapa assumed duties as the Financial Ombudsman on the first of March 2008 and operates from the office of the Financial Ombudsman situated at 143A, Vajira Road , Colombo 5.