GOVERNING COUNCIL

Emeritus Professor W. Indralal De Silva, Vice-Chancellor – UNISTEM

Emeritus Professor W. Indralal De Silva is a distinguished academic and expert in demography with an extensive career spanning teaching, research, and leadership roles in Sri Lanka and internationally. He served as the Senior Professor (Chair) of Demography and Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Colombo. Additionally, he was the Executive Director of the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS) in Colombo and a Senior Research Fellow at the National Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (NCAS), UGC, Colombo.

Prof. De Silva holds a PhD in Demography from the Australian National University (ANU), where he also earned an MA in Demography. His educational accomplishments include a Diploma in Population Studies (1st Class) from the International Institute for Population Sciences, Bombay, and a Bachelor’s in Development Studies–Statistics (2nd Class Upper Division) from the University of Colombo.

His international engagements include research fellowships and teaching appointments at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, the National University of Singapore, and the Australian National University. His research focuses on population trends, reproductive health, and family transitions.

Mr. Gihan Talgodapitiya, Director / CEO – UNISTEM

Director/CEO – UNISTEM, Human Resource Management Institute (HRMI), Garment Industry Management Institute (GIMI), and Principal Consultant – Gihan Talgodapitiya Associates (Sri Lanka: 1986–present, Singapore: 2002–2008)

Mr. Talgodapitiya is a highly accomplished leader in education and corporate training with over three decades of experience. He has delivered more than 4,500 seminars and workshops across Asia, collaborating with over 300 organizations to foster productivity enhancement, innovation, and strategic thinking.

He holds an MBA from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), UK. Gihan has also completed specialized training programs in the US and Japan and was awarded the esteemed Commonwealth Fellowship by The Commonwealth Foundation, UK.

In academia, Gihan teaches Strategy and Innovation in MBA programs offered in Sri Lanka by the University of Northampton. His extensive consultancy experience includes spearheading factory improvement initiatives for the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Sri Lanka, India, and Vietnam. Additionally, he has provided strategic advisory services to EUROCHAM and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, focusing on productivity and cost optimization in the apparel and manufacturing sectors. With a career spanning both education and industry, Gihan remains a sought-after trainer, consultant, and innovator in the Asian region and beyond.

Emeritus Professor Saroj Jayasinghe

Dr. Saroj Jayasinghe, an esteemed Sri Lankan physician and academic, has contributed immensely to the fields of clinical medicine, medical education, and public health. He holds an impressive array of qualifications, including MBBS (Honors) and MD (General Medicine) from the University of Colombo, MRCP (UK), and dual doctoral degrees—an MD from the University of Bristol and a PhD from Colombo. Dr. Jayasinghe is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP, London), the Ceylon College of Physicians (FCCP), and the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka (FNASSL).

A distinguished career spanning over four decades has seen Dr. Jayasinghe serve as the Chair Professor of Medicine and Head of the Department of Clinical Medicine at the University of Colombo. Currently, he is an Emeritus Professor and consultant at the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. His work includes pivotal contributions to curriculum development, postgraduate education, and research supervision.

Dr. Jayasinghe is a recipient of numerous awards, including several Presidential Awards, Research Awards and recognitions for groundbreaking studies in diabetes, community health, and medical education. A passionate advocate for health equity, he has also influenced national policy-making and international collaborations, establishing himself as a leader in medical science and humanitarian service.

Mr. Rohan Pandithakoralage

Mr. Rohan Pandithakoralage is a visionary leader in Human Resources and sustainable business management, with over 30 years of experience. He has been instrumental in redefining HR as a strategic business function and advocating for its representation at the Board level. A co-founder of the Association of Human Resource Professionals in Sri Lanka, Rohan has transformed HR practices by aligning them with business outcomes.

He is a former Group Supervisory Board Member and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of Aitken Spence PLC, where he contributed to leadership development, employee engagement, and industrial relations across 16 industries. Rohan holds a Bachelor of Business in Management from Victoria University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia, and is certified in Strategic Human Resource Planning and HR Management from leading institutions.

Mr. Pandithakoralage’s contributions have earned him the prestigious HR Leadership Award at the Asia Pacific Congress. Currently, he serves as Chairman of the Board of Advisors at Sarvodaya Fusion, focusing on leadership, HR strategy, and performance enhancement.

Dr. Rajitha Silva

Dr. Rajitha Silva is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Management & Finance, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he has been serving since 2005. He specializes in Human Resources Management, International HRM, Organizational Behavior, Change Management, and Cross-Cultural Management. In addition to his academic duties, he has held several administrative roles, including Senior Student Counselor, Coordinator for various postgraduate programs, and Joint Coordinator for multiple International Research Conferences.
Dr. Silva has extensive experience in higher education and corporate training. He has served as a visiting lecturer for various universities and programs globally, including in the UK, Australia, and Sri Lanka. His teaching and research contributions are widely recognized, with numerous publications on topics such as leadership, work-life balance, performance appraisal, and HR practices. His research has been presented at international conferences in the UAE, the UK, and Sri Lanka.
He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Kelaniya, an MBA from Charles Sturt University, Australia and Bachelor of Business Administration (Special) Degree from University of Colombo. Dr. Silva is also involved in consultancy and has worked with prominent institutions such as Sri Lankan Airlines, the Sri Lanka Army, and Sainsbury’s Supermarket in HR services and leadership training. With a strong commitment to education, research, and corporate development, Dr. Rajitha Silva is a distinguished figure in the academic and professional landscape of Sri Lanka.

Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake

Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake, an accomplished Internationa Parliamentary Expert with over three decades of experience in the Parliament of Sri Lanka, has held several significant roles, including serving as the Secretary General of Parliament for twelve years. As Chief Executive Officer, he managed parliamentary operations and provided legal and procedural guidance to the Speaker and the House. Currently, he serves as the Secretary General of the Constitutional Council of Sri Lanka.

His international expertise spans advising on parliamentary development projects, ranging from establishing new parliaments to promoting gender mainstreaming, disability access, and good governance. He has also contributed to anti-corruption strategies and public finance oversight, offering valuable guidance to legislative bodies around the world.

Beyond his parliamentary career, Mr. Dasanayake has made notable contributions to academia, lecturing at the Open University of Sri Lanka and the University of Colombo. He holds a Master of Laws from the University of Colombo and has completed specialized courses in Financial Oversight, Legislative Drafting, and more. A fellow of the Commonwealth Foundation, he has participated in leadership programs at Harvard Kennedy School and other prestigious institutions.