He had been regional manager UK, Europe and Americas, from 2005 until taking over worldwide sales in May 2006.
Emirates, which owns 43 percent of SriLankan, terminated its management contract with the airline in March this year, following deteriorating relations with the government of Sri Lanka, which is the major shareholder.
Gunewardene's brother Sajin Vass Gunewardene who heads Mihin Air had earlier said he hoped to resign from the budget carrier as his brother was tipped to take-over SriLankan.
.