Executive Committee 2024-25

Dr. Mohan Siriwardena

President

Mohan joined the APSL in 2007, and was first appointed to the executive committee in 2008. Since then, he has actively contributed in many of the APSL projects. He served as the editor of the APSL bi-annual newsletter “The Professional” from 2008-2012, Deputy Secretary and the Membership Secretary from 2009-2013, General Secretary from 2016-2018 and a Vice President 2019-2022.

Mohan is an academic, and possesses over 18 years of teaching and research experience. He is a Senior Lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, UK. He graduated from University of Moratuwa , Sri Lanka, with a B. Sc. (Honours) degree in Quantity Surveying . He also holds a PhD and a post-graduate teaching qualification from the University of Salford, UK. He was previously employed as an academic at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, University of Salford, UK, and University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK. During his academic career, he has functioned as a researcher in EPSRC funded research projects, as a co-investigator of EU funded lifelong learning research projects, and of TSB funded Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. His teaching experience includes cost and contract management of construction, and multi-disciplinary projects. His built environment related research interests include process improvement, lifelong learning, disaster management, ICT applications and through-life management. Mohan has published over 40 internationally peer revived research publications. He has also functioned as a reviewer of international journals and conferences. He has organised several international conferences and has chaired conference sessions. Mohan has also collaborated with large scale construction clients and service providers in the UK.

Mr. Don Gihantha Jayasinghe

Vice President

Educated at D. S. Senanayake College, and Royal College, Colombo. Graduated with a BA Economics from Davidson College, North Carolina. Completed internships in international development with NGOs in Washington, DC, and then UNFPA and UNDP in New York. Obtained a MA in International Economics & Finance from Brandeis University International Business School, Massachusetts including study at the Faculty of Business Administration, National University of Singapore.

Following a stint at Price Waterhouse, Colombo, Gihantha got his start in brand marketing at Unilever Ceylon delivering innovation and communication campaigns for Signal, SunSilk and Lifebuoy. Moving to the UK, obtained a Post Graduate Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), and then led innovation project management and communication campaigns for blue chip brands Kingsmill, Birds Eye and Persil (Unilever), as well as health care brands TCP and Prevalin.

Gihantha joined APSL in 2008, becoming an Executive Committee Member in 2009. His foremost contribution at APSL was initiating and leading the ‘We Sri Lanka’ project (2010-12) aimed at encouraging greater connectivity and reconciliation among the Sri Lankan diaspora in the UK, as well as supporting the post conflict rebuilding effort in Sri Lanka.

Mrs. Gayani Senaratne

Vice President

Mrs. Gayani Senaratne joined APSL in 2007 and has served as a member of the Executive commitee since 2008. Gayani holds a MA in English Language Teaching (University of Reading) and at present she is a PhD candidate in Linguistics. Her research interests are Multilingualism, Multlingual practices and intercultural communication, Discourse Analysis and Second Language Learning. She has worked as a teacher in both Sri Lanka and the UK. At present she coordinates various European Educational Programmes such as Comenius Teacher Training, Leonardo and Erasmus for European and International Students and Teachers

Dr. Leshan Uggalla

Vice President

Leshan is a Senior Lecturer in Telecommunications and a researcher in the area of Satellite communications at the University South Wales, UK. Completed his secondary education at Ananda College, Colombo, Sri Lanka where he was a deputy head prefect for the college prefect board. He received his PhD in designing EHF satellite communication systems from the University of South Wales, and his MSc degree in Mobile and Satellite Communications from the University of Glamorgan.

Currently, Leshan is working on a number of engineering programmes at USW including 5th generation telecommunication systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems, radio propagations and space-related technological activities. He is serving as the secretary for IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) South Wales East committee and a fellow of Higher Education Academy (HEA).

Leshan joined APSL in 2011 and served as an Ex-Co member since 2015, before becoming the General Secretary in 2017. He is a leading team member of ‘APSL cancer relief fund’ since 2016.

Mr. Sanjaya Kodituwakku

General Secretary

Sanjaya has over 20 years’ experience as an Accountant across both the Private Sector and Public Sector and leading finance functions of multifaceted global corporations, developing and implementing business growth and operational strategies. He currently works for the British Government as a civil servant spanning over 14 years. Prior to this, he was an Accountant with the big four accounting firm Deloitte and an accountancy firm Duo & Co. Sanjaya also has expertise in business start-ups, investments, and property development.

Joining APSL at its inception in 2004, Sanjaya received his school education at Royal College, Colombo Sri Lanka, followed by CIMA and a BSc in Financial Services from the University of Buckingham. In his spare time, Sanjaya is involved with couple of UK registered charities as a Trustee dedicating his time towards social development.

Mr. Thushara Madurasinghe

Treasurer / Immediate Past President

Thushara is a Chartered Management Accountant by profession. He has many years of Project Management and finance experience having worked for leading organisations such as NDB Bank in Sri Lanka, Birmingham City Council, BMG Research, MEL Research and the Royal College of General Practitioners in London. He is currently attached to the UK Civil Service as Team Lead at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Thushara joined the APSL in 2009 and was appointed Assistant Treasurer in 2011. He was then promoted to the post Treasurer for the charity the following year. He has taken a leading role in initiating the ‘Living in the UK – Eastern and Western values’ discussion series that the APSL conducts in various locations throughout the UK. During the pandemic such events were held via zoom and well attended.

He is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and received his MBA from Birmingham City University. Thushara is also former Local Authority School Governor of a leading school in the West Midlands

Thushara served as Vice President of the Association from 2018- April 2021 when he then focussed on charity, sustaining financial stability and marketing of APSL activities.

Thushara’s current focus is on promoting sustainable projects. membership drive and member benefits amongst many others.

Dr. Anuradha Samarasinghe

Membership Secretary

Anuradha graduated from D.S Senanayake College in 1991 and entered Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo in 1994, passing out with an Honours (Second Lower) degree in 1999. Arriving in the UK in 2002, Anuradha entered General Practice Training and completed MRCGP with a Distinction in 2006. From then on till 2016 he was a GP partner and Trainer at Panteg Health Centre in Griffithstown, Southeast Wales and also an Honorary Clinical Tutor for Cardiff University Medical School. Since October 2016 Anuradha has been an independent GP working in various GP practices in South Wales, UK.

Anuradha was the Founder and Charter President of the Rotaract Club of Colombo West, which was founded around 1993 and held several posts at district level until around 1996 when he became the District Rotaract Representative for Sri Lanka. During his years in Rotaract as well as in Interact when in school, Anuradha was involved in many charitable and fundraising projects.

Dr. Mahesh de Silva

Executive Committee Member

Mahesh is an experienced and qualified engineering manager with B.Sc. in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from University of Moratuwa and PhD in Electrical Engineering from University of Cambridge. He is a chartered engineer, member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and PRINCE 2 Practitioner. He has published over 20 papers and is an inventor on 10 patents.

He is currently working as the Engineering Manager at Biochrom, a global biotech company. Prior to that he was a technical programme manager at Jaguar Land Rover, leading the development of electric cars. He also led major engineering programmes at Teledyne e2v to develop state of the art industrial processing systems and space imaging products.

Outside work he is the co-ordinator of Commonwealth Science and Technology Network, a keen photographer and a member of the prestigious Cambridge Camera Club. He was also a mentor for the Queen’s Young Leaders programme.

Mahesh joined APSL in 2009 and served as an Ex-Co member, Vice President (Knowledge networking), General Secretary and Vice President (Professional Development). He was the team leader of ‘APSL research Symposium’ in 2011 and 2012.

Mr. Sudantha De Silva

Executive Committee Member

Sudantha is a Chartered Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland MRIAI (IRE) with over 15 years’ experience in architecture. He holds B.Sc degree in Built Environment and M.Sc degree in Architecture from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, and MA in Professional Practice and RIBA Part lll from University of Portsmouth, UK.

He has designed a wide range of architectural schemes including personalized houses and apartments, urban design proposals and commercial interiors in Sri Lanka, and has developed a high-level specialism in high-end residential developments and public sector projects including primary and secondary schools, special needs schools and social housing in the UK.

He now leads his own architectural design studio with a focus on innovative and sustainable personalized homes, apartments and mixed-use developments.

Mr David Gunawardana

Executive Committee Member (Co -opted)

David is a recent graduate from the University of Warwick, where he earned a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. Having contributed significantly to organising and taking part in several APSL events as a young members, he was elected to the executive committee in 2024.

David founded Link to Lanka, a charity focused on enhancing social mobility for Sri Lankan students by providing them with support and mentorship from established Sri Lankan professionals. Through Link to Lanka, David has organized numerous events in collaboration with APSL to engage and integrate young Sri Lankans into the APSL.

Additionally, David co-founded Baila Blast, a vibrant Sri Lankan music and cricket festival in the UK. The festival aims to foster unity and promote an appreciation for Sri Lankan culture among young Sri Lankans.

In 2025, David will embark on his professional journey as a Technology Consultant graduate at Alfa Financial Software, where he looks forward to applying his skills and knowledge in a dynamic industry.

Mr Piyathissa Liyanage

Executive Committee Member (Co -opted)

Ms. Nilmini Roelens

Excecutive Committee Member

Nilmini Roelens joined APSL in 2021 and quickly became an active member in 2022, organising and leading the effective fundraising activity walk4lanka in response to the financial crisis in Sri Lanka. She became part of the executive committee in 2023 and is already planning more “4lanka” fundraising activities for sustainable projects in Sri Lanka in support of the less advantaged.

Nilmini is a senior solicitor qualified since 1991. She thus has over three decades’ specialist experience in UK immigration law. She has her own law firm based in the Oxford Science Park but serves an international clientele, notably in business immigration.

She graduated from Leicester University in 1987 with her first degree in Law with French. She also has a Diploma in French legal studies from Strasbourg University, France (1986). She holds a Master of Laws degree in European Law from Kings College London (1992). She is a regular speaker at conferences on immigration law and has contributed numerous articles in specialist fora.

She has a special interest in human rights connected with freedom of religion and gender issues. She is involved in several chambers of commerce. She enjoys teaching and training young lawyers, learning languages, karate and art.

Mr Tariq Salih

Executive Committee Member

Tariq is a HR business partner at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) leading on HR initiatives across international regions. Prior to this he worked as a HR business partner at Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) leading on HR programmes across their digital function. He has significant experience of working in large and complex organisations including the NHS and Civil Service. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (MCIPD) and has a Masters in HR Management along with a Degree in Business and Law. He has been working in HR for 8+ years in a variety of different roles across healthcare, pharmaceuticals, digital/technology and now international programmes at the FCO. His portfolio of work includes setting up mentoring programmes that brings people together from the public, private and charity sector with a specific focus on diversity and inclusion.

Mr. Suraj Wijendra

Excecutive Committee Member

Suraj is a qualified, experienced and multi-disciplined professional with BSc. Engineering (University of Moratuwa), MBA (Lancashire Business School), ACMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), ACIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) and CTEXT, ATI (The Textile Institute). Suraj has extensive experience in global sourcing and supply chain operations and is currently employed by Marks & Spencer plc as a Senior Finance & Operations Manager. He is responsible for the Finance & Operations of Marks & Spencer UK sourcing and the sourcing offices based in Hong Kon,g, China, Cambodia, Turkey, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Before joining Marks & Spencer he was with MAS Holdings/Sara Lee Courtaulds joint ventures, one of the largest apparel manufactures supplying to world’s leading brands. Suraj joined APSL in 2006 and has severed as Assistant Treasurer, Treasurer, and as Vice President (Finance).

Miss Sayuri Serasinghe

Executive Committee Member (Co-opted)

Mrs Cheryl Yamamoto

Excecutive Committee Member

Mr. Merill Fernando

APSL Sri Lanka Representative

Prof. Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran

Co-opted Senior Member

Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, St George’s, University of London; Past President of the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (2007-2010); International Federation of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (FIGO) (2012-2015) and the British Medical Association (2013-2014). Author of 270 indexed publications, 32 books and 164 book chapters Editor in Chief of Best Practise and research in Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology & Global Library of Women’s medicine (www.glowm.com) Honorary fellow of the American, Sri Lankan, South African, Pakistan, Indian, Australian & NZ Colleges of O&G Hon Member of the Japanese, Canadian, Malaysian, German, Italian, Argentinian, Spanish and South African Societies. Fellow of the ~National Academy of Sciences, USA. Knight Bachelor in recognition of Services to Medicine & Health Services by Her Majesty the Queen – Birthday Honours List – June 2009

Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy

Co-opted Senior Member

Dr Indrajit Coomarsawamy served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka from 2016-2019. He first worked for the Central Bank of Sri Lanka from 1973 to 1989 in the Economic Research, Statistics and Bank Supervision Divisions. He was seconded to the Ministry of Finance and Planning in Sri Lanka during 1981 to 1989. Indrajit joined the Commonwealth Secretariat in London in 1990 until 2008, during that time he held many positions, including that of Director, Economic Affairs Division and Deputy-Director, Secretary-General’s Office. Dr. Coomaraswamy completed his undergraduate degree at Cambridge University and obtained his Doctorate at the University of Sussex.

Mr. Rohan de Alwis

Co-opted Senior Member

Rohan is a Solicitor and Attorney-at-Law by profession. Rohan was the founder General Secretary of APSL in 2004, then became its third President for a two-year term and continues to be actively involved in most APSL activities.

He holds several board level directorships in the UK in multinational and private sectors, and acts as UK Adviser to Ferrari, Maserati, Magneti Marelli, Stellantis/Fiat Auto, Denso, Petronas, and Family Offices etc.

Rohan is a UK Charity Trustee and a Director & General Secretary of the SL-UK Chamber of Commerce in London. Rohan brings to APSL, the “practical professional” exposure in view of his professional practice and business experience.

Mr. Leslie Dep

Co-opted Senior Member

Leslie is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a Member of the Chartered Institution of Arbitrators and currently working as a Private Consultant on Cost and Commercial Management, Contract Procurement and Administration, Construction Claims, Arbitration and Expert Witness reports related to major construction projects.

He has worked in most parts of the world and his last employer was Ove Arup and Partners, a major international design engineering consultancy firm, based in London.

He is also a Commissioner of the Disaster Management Commission of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, UK. The commission has completed a Process Protocol Document two years ago for post construction work soon after a major disaster to use the funding available in the most cost-effective way. The UN, EU, World Bank, IMF and other aid agencies have accepted it for implementation.

He is involved in a Sri Lankan charity “Hela Sarana” (formed in 1996) based in the United Kingdom. It has done several housing projects and other school and hospital buildings in Sri Lanka including 100 houses for tsunami victims in the Southern Region of Sri Lanka. Currently funding a scholarship programme for nearly 400 students in Sri Lanka through sponsorships.

He joined APSL in 2004 and has served as a Vice President, General Secretary (2012 to 2014) and as President from 2015 to 2017.

Prof. I.M. Dharmadasa

Co-opted Senior Member

Dharme has worked in semiconductor research since becoming a PhD student at Durham University in 1977. His interest in the electrodeposition of thin film solar cells began when he joined the Appolo Project at BP Solar in 1988. He is currently the Professor of Electronic Materials & Devices at Sheffield Hallam University in the UK and Head of the Electronic Materials & Sensors Research Group within the Materials and Engineering Research Institute (MERI). His research activities focus on the development of a new generation of low cost, high efficiency solar cells. IMD is actively involved in the promotion of clean energy technologies for social development and the reduction of poverty. He helped establish and now leads the South-Asia renewable energy promotional (SAREP) network, which aims to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy technologies.

Back home in the UK, he regularly gives guest lectures at secondary schools around Sheffield, with the hope of instilling the importance of renewable energy technologies in the minds of young students. IMD is Fellow of the World Innovation Foundation and the UK Institute of Physics. He referees for over 12 international Journals and currently serves as Assessor/panel member for the UK funding council (EPSRC), Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), The European Commission, the British Council (BC) and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. IMD holds dual citizenship (Sri Lankan & British) and currently advising several Government Ministries for using renewable energy as a tool for social development and the empowerment of rural communities. IMD is one of the founding members of the APSL, and has served as the Vice President for 5 years and the President for two years (2009-2011).

Dr. Marc Dissanayake

Co-opted Senior Member

Dr Marc Dissanayake MBBS (Ceylon 1971), joined the Dermatology Department in 1987 as a Clinical Assistant in Dermatology. He obtained a Diploma in Practical Dermatology (DPD) from Cardiff University in 1994 and Diploma in Clinical Dermatology (DCD) from Queen Mary’s Hospital, London in 2005. Marc has also been a pioneer General Practitioner with a special interest (GPwSI) in Dermatology since 2003. Marc has been a Director of MARC DISSANAYAKE LIMITED for 7 years and is the Senior Partner at Bincote Surgery where he also trains students in Dermatology and General Practice.

Marc is a founding member of the APSL (Association of Professional Sri Lankans) in the UK.

Dr. Andrew Nayagam

Co-opted Senior Member

Andrew was a founder member and the second president of APSL.

He did his undergraduate studies at the Colombo Medical Faculty. After working in Kandy hospital for 7 years he came to the UK in 1981. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. Andrew worked as a Consultant Physician in Genitourinary Medicine at Worthing Hospital in West Sussex. He retired a few years ago and now enjoys golf, gardening and travelling.

Andrew was a past president of Sri Lankan Medical and Dental Association in the UK and a trustee of Meththa Foundation.

Mr. Mervyn Silva

Co-opted Senior Member

An MBA from the University of Bradford School of Management, Mervyn also holds BSc degrees in Physics and IT. A Practitioner of Prince 2 Project Management and a member of the Chartered Management Institute (MCMI), he has 25 years of management experience in IT industry within the UK public and private sectors.

During his tenure as the General Secretary of the APSL he played a key role in growing its membership from 50 to 350 and expanding it to the other parts of the country. He currently serves as the Coordinator of the APSL Scholarship Scheme which was launched whilst he was the APSL president in 2014.

Mervyn’s hobbies include travel, photography and DIY. He has been rowing on Lake Windermere raising funds for his favourite charity - St Gemma’s Hospice, Leeds for the past 33 years.

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