IRSD
Advisory Panel
Prof. Athula Gnanapala
Prof. (Dr.) Athula Gnanapala is currently serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. He served as the Head of the Department of Tourism Management and Programme Coordinator of the MSc. in Ayurvedic Hospital Management degree programme. Additionally, he serves as co-editor-in-chief of the South Asian Journal of Tourism and Hospitality. He obtained his first degree, a B.Sc. in Tourism Management, from the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka in 1997 and an M.Sc. in Management from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2003. In 2011, he completed his Doctoral degree in Tourism Management at the School of Business, Xiamen University, P.R. China. He has published his research works in nearly 25 books and book chapters, more than 40 research articles in refereed and indexed journals, and more than 70 internationals conference presentations. He disseminates his expertise as a reviewer of nationally and internationally recognized academic journals, consultants, editorial, scientific committee members, etc. Further, Prof. Gnanapala renders his service as a postgraduate and Ph.D. Supervisor and examiner.
Prof. M.S.M Aslam
He holds 23 years of experience in academics and research working as the Senior Lecture/Director in the Center for Research Knowledge Dissemination (CRKD) of University of Sabaragamuwa and a cum professor in the field of tourism. In addition, he has vast experience in planning and development at community, local, regional, and national levels, particularly in to tourism. He also holds a considerable amount of research and publication with reputed journals and book publishers. He is also serving as a consultant/resource person/advisor/facilitator for various NGOs and ING
Prof. M. Thilakasiri
Prof. M. Thilakasiri is a distinguished Senior Management Consultant with a rich background in Human Resource Development, Strategic Management, and Corporate Planning. With an impressive tenure exceeding four decades, Prof. Thilakasiri has significantly contributed to both the public and private sectors. His expertise encompasses roles as a Management Consultant, Corporate Trainer, and Strategic Leader. As a Senior Visiting Lecturer, Prof. Thilakasiri enlightens MBA, MSc, and MPM students at prestigious local and international universities. He is highly sought after for his coaching abilities, particularly in developing senior and middle-level officers from multiple sectors. Prof. Thilakasiri's contributions to academia include presenting numerous research papers and articles. He is also recognized for designing and executing several strategic managements, human resource development, capacity-building, and institutional strengthening programs, focusing on people development. Formerly holding the esteemed position of Director-General at Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA).
Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne
Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne is a distinguished academic, corporate strategist, and transformational leader with an extensive track record of driving innovation and excellence across diverse sectors in Sri Lanka. He holds a PhD in Management and has decades of experience in both the public and private sectors. He has served as the Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Samurdhi, Rural Development, and Up-Country Development. Additionally, he has held several key positions in the public sector, including Director General of the Samurdhi Authority and Samurdhi Development, as well as Chairman and Director General of the National Youth Services Council (NYSC). In the corporate sector, he has served as Director of Human Capital at Cargills Ceylon PLC, Independent Director at Hayleys Fabric, and Director of Finance at Lake House. Currently, he is a Director of Hayleys Fiber Ltd., where he continues his commitment to excellence in corporate governance and strategic leadership. He has significantly contributed to the strategic growth of leading organizations. His innovative leadership has had a profound impact on rural development and poverty alleviation programs. Known for his ability to blend academic insights with practical solutions, he empowers organizations and individuals to thrive in an era shaped by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Dr.Chaminda Weerasiriwardana
He is a fully registered medical practitioner with SLMC in 2002. Currently performing duties as a professional counselor and psychotherapist for 16 years. Furthermore, he is working as a medical officer at NSICU- 1 in Teaching Hospital Kandy, as a visiting lecturer at the universities of Kelaniya and Colombo, and also in some institutions including Sri Lanka Foundation Institute and SLIDA. Apart from the above, he is acting as a working developer for iChange (Pvt) Ltd. He is acting as a resource person to many programs conducted by NIE, central province Department of Probation and Social Service, Ministry of Social Service, Sri Lanka, and Department of Education Central Province, conducted island-wide. He is also working as a resource person in Sri Lanka. Rupawahini Corporation programs and in independent television networks (Doramadalawa,television iskole,hathveni paya). He is conducting workshops at several ministries (Ministry of Management and Reforms, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education Central Province and Western Province), and Departments, institutions, and schools.
G.R. Hemantha Silva
He is passionate and experienced Local Consultant, Senior Chartered Architect, Spatial Creator, Project-Management Executive, having more than 21 years’ experience (17 yrs. in the capacity of Chartered Architect and 4 yrs. Of Pre-Charter) under Architectural Design, Design Management and Project Management in coordinating with multi-disciplinary teams and executing of projects with an extensive portfolio of projects covering retail, healthcare, education, hospitality, religious, military and sports, as well as sensitive and historically listed existing buildings, commercial and mixed-use development projects. He has successfully completed B.Sc. (Built environment) Degree at University of Moratuwa with obtaining Second Class Honours in October 2001 and my M.Sc. (Architecture) degree with Highly Commended Pass on Dissertation Research Thesis. Commencing his career as a Design Architect He has gathered extensive experience in Architecture, Town and Country Planning and Project Management by working for the Multi-Disciplinary Consultancy Practices here in Sri Lanka. He has been responsible for the integration of all Architectural & Engineering disciplines, Project programming, value engineering and control of quality and project budget. Gain extensive experience within the construction field, working with contract/project management on FIDIC (in International Contracts) as well as ICTAD in local context. He performed well in theoretical analysis and design skills. In addition, gained hands-on experience from internationally reputed Employer entities and companies having been working more than 18 years with them. Further. Being a researcher on the field of Environmental Engineering, Thermal Comfort analyzer on built mass and imperative necessity of interference of climatized architectural implementations in the case of Urban Designing spatiality on Building Envelope Design studies with collaboration of Sustainable Building Design Softwares; Ecotect and DEROB-LTH.