Dr. Madhu Fernando

NODE DIRECTOR

Dr Madhu Fernando is a Project Management Specialist, Management Consultant, Trainer, and has been working as a Visiting Lecturer and a guest speaker in many Sri Lankan and foreign universities and academic institutes, including University of Moratuwa, Rajarata University, Open University of Sri Lanka, Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, Vavuniya University and the international Master degree programs offered by University of Southern Queensland, University of Wales, Coventry University, Staffordshire University, University of Bedfordshire.

Madhu Fernando is qualified with Doctor of Business Administration from Swinburne University in Melbourne, Master of Engineering in Telecommunications Engineering from RMIT Melbourne, PMP from PMI USA, CSM from Scrum Alliance, and many other academic and industry related credentials and certificates.

Dr Madhu has published many articles in PM Network (USA), Management Today (Australia) and Management Monthly (Sri Lanka). She is well known globally for her contribution to the project management profession, and has been recognized by PMI PM Network Magazine as one of the 25 Influential Women in Project Management. She is a PMI member since year 2000, and initiated PMI Colombo Chapter in 2003, and served as the founding Director/President. She has also been an associate fellow of the Australian Institute of Management AIM and a Fellow member of Institute of Project Managers Sri Lanka.

Dr. Senaka De Silva

NODE DIRECTOR

Dr. S.H.A De Silva is a senior and reputable businessman in Sri Lanka. He served as an Instructor and a Lecturer in the Army Intelligence and Special Force Regiment and armed forces of Sri Lanka as a gazetted Officer in the Army Intelligence, Infantry and Special Force Regiment for more than a decade. With the experience and the leadership gained ventured to setting up his own business in the field of telecommunication with the launch of Lanka Internet. Thereafter the organization diversified it’s activities by spreading the wings and setting up business in the field of Media and publication, Hotel Management & Entertainment, Aquaculture, Marine Engineering to name a few.

He is a Chairman of Ryder Holdings (Pvt) Ltd and many other sister companies under Ryder Holdings (Pvt) Ltd such as Senura Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, Sha Capial Investments Corporation (Pvt) Ltd , Green World Agro Solutions(Pvt) Ltd, Green World Waste Management (Pvt) Ltd, Sir Security Services (Pvt) Ltd, etc. His companies have business with many countries such as China, Israel, UK, Japan, Singapore etc. He is Chairman/ Director of World Capital Centre Pte Ltd, Singapore, Commercial Corporation Sg Pte Ltd, Singapore and World Commercial Corporation Lda, Timor-Leste.

He was the former Chairman of Water Resources Board, Sri Lanka. He has appointed as Head of Civil Affairs Coordinator to Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka-Minister of Regional Development and as a senior member of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Consultant Committee. He also gave his service as Former Senior Advisor (International Trade Affairs) Ministry of Plantation Industries Government of Sri Lanka (2007-2010) and Former Senior Advisor to Deputy Minister of Public Estate Management & Development (2007-2010).

Dr. Arosha Fernando

NODE DIRECTOR

Dr. Arosha Fernando who is versatile in regulatory matters, business development and bringing large foreign direct investment (FDI) to Sri Lanka has six University Degrees from Australia (Swinburne University and RMIT University) - two Bachelors degrees, three Masters degrees and a Doctorate in Business Administration (specialised in International Business).

Dr. Arosha who has 30 years of senior management experience in local and international business field in Australia, Europe and Asia and is currently the Chairman of five Multinational Companies in Sri Lanka as well as the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Sri Lanka.

He is also a Senior Film Producer who has produced 17 films, 5 tele dramas and 2 stage plays, total of 24 productions to his credit during the past 10 years.

Further, Dr. Arosha has involved and contributes towards many social service activities and programs, be it at the work place and or the village and in recognition he had been appointed as a Justice of Peace (for All Island) by the Ministry of Justice in Sri Lanka 10 years ago, and also received National Honours titles - Deshabandhu, Deshamanya, Deshabhimani, Lankaputhra and Sri Rohana Jana Ranjana from the Government of Sri Lanka in two occasions.

Mr. Imran Cader

NODE DIRECTOR

Imran Ali Abdul Cader is a visionary entrepreneur, environmentalist, and social advocate with a mission to transform Colombo into a global model of inclusive growth, sustainability, and innovation. With an MBA in International Business and credentials as a Certified Management Accountant, Imran combines deep financial expertise with a bold commitment to social impact. He currently leads multiple companies, including Vista Capital and Galactic Holdings, and plays a pivotal role in advancing renewable energy in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

His distinguished career spans across banking, customer service, procurement, and planning, having held leadership positions at institutions such as National Australia Bank, Dilmah MJF, and Akbar Brothers. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Imran hails from a prominent family with over a century of public service, including leaders in politics, business, and civic development. This legacy fuels his unwavering dedication to community development, renewable energy advocacy, and transparent governance.

Driven by a future-focused vision for Colombo, Imran champions innovative initiatives such as green urban spaces, sustainable waste management, and digital governance. His leadership reflects a fusion of heritage, professional excellence, and a sense of responsibility to the public. Imran Ali Abdul Cader stands ready to redefine leadership in Colombo through sustainable development, economic empowerment, and meaningful civic transformation.

Air Chief Marshal Gagan Bulathsinghala

Senior FELLOW

Air Chief Marshal Gagan Bulathsinghala Joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as a cadet General Duties Pilot branch and completing a rewarding career spanning 35 years as the 15th Commander of the Air Force. ACM Bulathsinghala is a professional pilot and held many Operational and command appointments in the Sri Lanka Air Force. Aviation career, as an accomplished pilot with 4500 hours and an impeccable flying record. He was appointed as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force (Chief of Air Staff) in 2015 and was promoted to the rank of Air Marshal. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal in 2016. He was the Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan 2017-219.

ACM Bulathsinghala is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College at Air University (Maxwell Air Force base) Alabama, USA, and the prestigious National Defence College New Delhi India. In addition, he possesses Postgraduate degrees, MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras India, and a Master of Science in Defence Studies in Management from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka. He is a Fellow of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, Hawaii, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies and National Defence University, USA.

ACM Bulathsinghala is recognized by the Air Command & Staff College, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, USA as an international alumnus who has achieved a high position of leadership and enrolled, in the Hall of Fame Honor Roll ACSC 1999 alumni. Also recognized by the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka. “Hall of Fame” in recognition of the outstanding accomplishments as a KDU Alumni.

Nalanda College, Colombo also paid its highest tribute "Nalanda Keerthi Sri Sammanaya" to ACM Bulathsinghala during the annual prize giving at BMICH 2015. This award is accorded annually to the most outstanding past Nalandian who have excelled in their respective fields. The National Defence College (NDC) New Delhi, India’s apex institution of learning for the study and practice of National Security and Strategy has listed ACM Bulathsinghala as a Prominent Alumni. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Management Sri Lanka. Incumbent President of the Association of Retired Flag Rank Officers, Sri Lanka. He also served as the President, Interim committee National Cycling federation of Sri Lanka 2012-2014.

Ms. Nadishani Perera

Senior FELLOW

Nadishani Perera is a lawyer and ardent advocate, with a remarkable track record in promoting transparency, accountability, and clean governance in Sri Lanka. She was the former Executive Director of Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL). She has a Degree in Law, a Master’s Degree in Development Studies and Public Policy, and Post Graduate Diplomas in Marketing (CIM) and Management Accounting (CIMA). Prior to joining TISL, Nadishani was involved with humanitarian, development and advocacy based non-Governmental organizations, in advocacy and program implementation work. Nadishani has also contributed to the State sector, by developing National Guidelines and National Policies for the National Child Protection Authority and the Sri Lanka Police.

Under her dynamic leadership from 2021 to 2024, TISL became a beacon of hope and the leading voice in the fight against corruption in Sri Lanka. Nadishani also mobilized and led civil society actors to advocate against the violation of civil rights and democratic backsliding in Sri Lanka. During her tenure at TISL, Nadishani led innovative initiatives, including Sri Lanka’s first-ever ‘Civil Society Governance Diagnostic Report on the Anti-Corruption Landscape of Sri Lanka’, setting an invaluable precedent for civil society engagement with the multilateral organizations and on governance reforms.

Her brave leadership and unwavering commitment towards anti-corruption efforts has earned her recognition both locally and internationally. Nadishani is now a Governance & Anticorruption Adviser for the Partnership for Transparency Fund and an Associate of Nexus PFM Consulting Inc. As a thought leader and passionate advocate on good governance, Nadishani continues to inspire and influence efforts toward empowering people and building systems that resist corruption and uphold the public trust.

Dr. Rosh Jalagge

Senior FELLOW

Dr. Rosh Jalagge appointed as distinguished Senior Fellow is one of the largest and leading service providers in Western Australia in health sector. Recipient of numerous awards including the coveted “Business Migrant of the year” and the 100 million dollar club, Dr. Jalagge currently serves as the Chairman and CEO of Roshana Group of companies, Land Property Group, Land International Pty Ltd, MMR Company Pty Ltd, Rosh & Kar Pty Ltd, Britney & Paris Holdings, C & J Company Pty Ltd and also serves as the President of the Association of Community Care Facilities in Western Australia.Dr. Jalagge aims to serve Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan community living in Western Australia utilizing his skills and his passion towards his country. He was awarded Honorary Doctorate for his outstanding achievements as a highly successful entrepreneur and for his dedication to improving lives and communities.

Ms. Wasantha Perera

FELLOW

Ms Wasantha Perera is recently been appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Reforms of Sri Lanka. Prior to that she served as the Secretary in key Ministries such as Ministry of Power & Energy, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment, Ministry of Science &Technology and Skills Development of Sri Lanka. Being a member of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, Mrs Perera has held senior positions in the Ministries of Finance, Defence and Foreign Affairs. She has also worked in the UNDP on Aid Management and capacity building of community-based organizations. Further, she has been served as a Sri Lankan diplomat in the United States as well. Mrs Perera cherishes the international recognition she received from USAID/USEA featuring her in USEA’s ‘Women in Energy’ magazine and being selected as ‘the Green Energy Champion’ by the GIZ for her contribution to promote green energy. Being a Bio Science Graduate Ms. Perera possesses Postgraduate qualifications in Management, Economics Development and Project Management.

Ms. Piyumani Ranasinghe

FELLOW

Piyumani Ranasinghe is a researcher and an Attorney-at-Law from Sri Lanka. She completed her M.Sc. in Human Rights and Multiculturalism at the University of South-Eastern Norway and obtained her LL.B. from University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. She also has a degree in International Relations from the University of London. Piyumani’s work is interdisciplinary and often ranges between human rights, environmental justice and Critical Discourse Analysis. She is particularly interested in critical environmental justice and Pluriversal approaches to environmental rights. Piyumani has authored and contributed to several publications, including a book chapter titled “Critical Climate Justice, The Right to a Healthy Environment and the Struggles towards Biocentric Transitions: A Critical Discourse Study on the Greenpeace Nordic Case (2024); “Towards Pluriversal Approaches to Rights of Nature and the Human Right to a Healthy Environment? A Critical Discourse Analysis of Selected Judicial Decisions from Ecuador, Kenya and India” (2023).

Her recent publications include a co-authored chapter on “Small State Diplomacy towards a Bi-lateral Partnership between Singapore and Sri Lanka for Wetland Conservation” (2024) and two co-authored book chapters on “The Right to Participation: Reflections on Young People’s Participation in Climate Protests in the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka” (2022) and “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour? A Critical Analysis of Sri Lanka’s Challenges Implementing SDG16” (2022). Piyumani currently works as a part-time researcher at Centre for Policy Alternatives and is a visiting lecturer for environmental law at the University of Peradeniya.

Mr. Rathindra Kuruvita

FELLOW

Rathindra Kuruwita has 13 years of experience in journalism, research and in NGOs. Rathindra has worked at The Nation, Lakbima News, Ceylon Today and is currently employed at The Island as the news editor. He has also worked for Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE,) and the Centre for Human Rights. Rathindra has run digital media campaigns for CaFFE and CHR. He was also a fellow at East-West Center, Hawaii in 2010, Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, Hawaii in 2018 and a participant of the International Visitors Leadership Program USA, 2016.

He has a BA in English, French and International Studies from the University of Kelaniya and an MSc in Security Studies at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He was also a resource person at the Institute of National Security Studies, Sri Lanka. His work was recognized at the annual Journalism Awards of Excellence 2007, 2010 and 2011 where he won Feature Writer of the Year, Investigative Journalist of the Year and Environmental Journalist of the Year respectively.

Ms. Krystle Reid Wijesuriya

ASSOCIATE FELLOW

Krystle Reid Wijesuriya is the Co-founder of Enable Lanka Foundation which works to dignify and reframe the value of young persons with disabilities in society. In 2019, she was selected as one of the 50 Young Global Shapers to attend the Annual Meeting of World Economic Forum in Davos and in 2021 was selected to participate in the Davos Agenda by the WEF. Krystle is a Fellow of ChangemakerXchange, which is a global collaboration platform for young social innovators. In 2017 Krystle was named as the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She serves as a Community Champion for India South and Sri Lanka in Global Shapers community and co-chaired the first ever #ShapingDisability Summit organized by the Global Shapers in 2020.

Krystle is currently studying for her M.Sc. in Applied Finance at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and her work has been featured in ‘I Am Inspired,’ a book published by two Sri Lankan authors, BBC, the House of Lords in London, Commonwealth articles, SBS Australia and various national newspapers and television channels. While engaged in her community impact work, by profession, she is a Strategic Planner and serves as the Managing Director of Remote Workforce, a BPO supplied centre.

Mr. K.D.D.B. Vimanga

ASSOCIATE FELLOW

K.D.D.B Vimanga currently works as a Policy Executive, coordinating public policy initiatives and advocacy engagements at a Colombo based Think Tank Advocata. He is deeply passionate about inclusive development, sustainable macroeconomic management, and developing policy solutions to tackle socio-political challenges. He has interned with the Political Intelligence Group in London. He received his bachelor’s degree in Law from the BPP Law School in London, United Kingdom. He is a node member of the Millennium Project.

Ms. Ishini Shashipraba

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Ishini Shashipraba is an Executive at Ernst and Young Sri Lanka. She has read for an LL.B program at University of London. She has received a scholarship from the Cfps Law School in Sri Lanka. Her academic background includes a Diploma in Accounting and Business from the Association of Accounting Technicians Sri Lanka (AAT-SL), as well as a Certificate in Business Accounting from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) in the United Kingdom. Additionally, she has completed a Certificate Course in Computer Applications at the University of Colombo, where she achieved a distinction pass.

In 2024, Ishini joined the Millennium Project - South Asia Foresight Network in Washington, D.C., as a Research Intern. In this role, her research focused on Asian geopolitics and its socio-economic implications in an international context.

Ishini is passionately committed to making a significant contribution to her field and has published articles addressing pressing issues. She is actively involved with legal rights movements in Sri Lanka, advocating for the rights and interests of individuals across the nation. Fluent in both English and Sinhala, and proficient in Tamil, Ishini is dedicated to empowering others through her research and legal endeavors. She aspires to become a knowledgeable and impactful attorney-at-law in the future.