Prof. Dr.  Gamini Gunawardena

(PhD (Chicago (US), JD (Western State University (US), MBA(Chicago)(US), Attorney-at-Law (SL))

Patron

Prof. Gamini Gunawardane holds an MBA and Ph.D. From Booth Business School at University of Chicago where he was a Fulbright scholar from Sri Lanka. He also has a JD from Western State University in California and is a licensed attorney at law.

He worked in the managed health care industry in USA for over 20 years as a Vice President at leading health plans overseeing privacy and security laws and regulations, designing HIPAA manuals, staff training programs, Notice of Privacy Practices, and HIPAA compliant provider and business associate contracts in the industry. He was also a member of the Contracts and Policy Committees of the California Association of Health Plans.

As Professor Emeritus of California State University at Fullerton, USA he has taught operations management, service management, health care law and strategic management courses. He was an invited keynote speaker and co-chair at annual international conference of business research at the University of Moratuwa.

He has written two books used in university courses in USA and Sri Lanka and is the author of over 25 articles in international peer reviewed journals.

Mr. Neil Unamboowe

(President's Counsel, LLM, Attorney-at-Law)

The President

Niel D.B. Unamboowe, PC — President of the South Asia Privacy Professionals Association (SAPPA) and Director at Sri Lanka Telecom

Mr. Niel D.B. Unamboowe, President’s Counsel, is a distinguished legal professional with over 36 years of service in Sri Lanka’s Attorney General’s Department, retiring in 2019 as Additional Solicitor General. Throughout his career, he played a leading role in high-profile national inquiries, including the presidential commission into irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Catering Ltd., and Mihin Air, as well as investigations into Sri Jayawardenepura General Hospital and the Commission of Inquiry into Involuntary Disappearances. He has provided legal counsel to key state institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, Sri Lanka Customs, and the Inland Revenue Department.

Mr. Unamboowe’s academic credentials are equally impressive, holding two Master’s degrees in Intellectual Property Law from the University of Turin, Italy, and George Washington University, USA, in addition to specialized certifications in Commercial Law, Cyber Law, Air Law, Nuclear Safeguards, and Intellectual Property Enforcement. His expertise extends beyond litigation into education and policy, having served as Head of the Civil Division (Southern Province), a consultant to the Atomic Energy Authority and Sri Lanka Standards Institute, and a visiting lecturer and examiner for leading legal education institutions.

In November 2024, Mr. Unamboowe was appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director at Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (SLT), where he now chairs the Board’s Remuneration Committee and the Nomination & Governance Committee. As President of SAPPA, he leverages his extensive legal, policy, and governance experience to advance data privacy, strengthen compliance frameworks, and promote cross-border collaboration in South Asia’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Dr. Aparrajitha Ariyadasa

(Ph.D,Texas, (US), MoDE(Germany and Poland), LLM(Sri Lanka), LLM (Wales), BSc(Sri Lanka), Attorney-at-Law (SL), Patent Agent, Member IAPP,  Chartered Patent Attorney(UK), CIPM

General Secretary/CEO (The Founder)

Dr. Aparrajitha Ariyadasa is a highly accomplished legal academic, cyber law expert, and digital transformation inventor with a multidisciplinary background spanning law, technology, and social innovation. She holds a PhD in Cybersecurity, Defense, Law, and Sociology, with her research centered on designing human-centered cybersecurity prototypes to combat cyber terrorism and protect national security in Sri Lanka. Dr. Ariyadasa is further academically specialized in Digital Entrepreneurship, Cybersecurity Human-Centered Prototyping, International Trade Law, Arbitration, and Cybercrime Law, combining theoretical depth with real-world impact. She currently serves as Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Intellectual Property Organization and is the Managing Partner of ATD Legal Associates, one of Asia’s top firms in Intellectual Property and Cyber Law. Her extensive academic portfolio includes four Master’s degrees earned from institutions across the UK, US, Germany, Poland, and Sri Lanka, reflecting her global outlook and legal versatility. As an inventor and legal technologist, she has created innovative tools such as IoT-based hydroponic systems, a B2L2C online dispute resolution platform, smart health technologies, and anti-human trafficking platforms tailored for Sri Lanka and Ukraine. A certified expert in GDPR, AI governance, and data protection, she advises ministries, multinational corporations, and academic institutions on tech-regulatory frameworks and digital legal transformation. Renowned for her cross-border collaborations, charismatic leadership, and the ability to connect law, technology, and society, Dr. Ariyadasa has taught and supervised thousands of students globally and is widely respected as a thought leader shaping the future of law in the digital age. 

Mr. Dhasintha Suwaris

(MBA(UK) ,PGD(UK), AMA, CIMA)

Treasurer

Mr. Dhasintha Suwaris, MBA (UK), PGD (UK), AMA, CIMA, brings a wealth of financial expertise to his role as Treasurer of the South Asia Privacy Professionals Association (SAPPA). With a solid foundation in international accounting and finance, he has held key leadership roles across major industrial sectors.

Beginning his career in the energy industry, Mr. Suwaris served as an accomplished accountant at Shell Lubricants, where he developed deep proficiency in financial management, compliance, and operational budgeting. His analytical acumen and strategic oversight in this global, fast-paced environment laid the groundwork for his professional rise.

He further expanded his domain expertise as Head of the Finance Department for multiple Neil Marine companies. In this capacity, Mr. Suwaris led financial planning, risk assessment, cost control, and reporting initiatives within the maritime and marine manufacturing ecosystem—delivering transparency, governance, and financial resilience.

At SAPPA, Mr. Suwaris’s leadership as Treasurer ensures robust fiscal governance, budget oversight, and sustainable financial strategy. His industry-honed expertise supports SAPPA’s mission to strengthen data privacy governance, professionalism, and cross-border collaboration across South Asia.

Prof. Dr. Aminda Perera

(Prof. Aminda Methsila Perera, PhD (USA), PhD (SL), MBA (Marketing), MBA (IFM), B.Sc. (Sp) Pub. Admin (Sri J), Dip. Mgt (OUSL), Dip. Sales & Marketing (Germany) )

Chief Editor

Professor Dr. Aminda Methsila Perera is a distinguished academic and the Head of the Department of Accountancy at the Faculty of Business Studies and Finance, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka. With a robust interdisciplinary background, he holds two PhDs—one in Management from Keisei International University (USA) and another in Marketing from Wayamba University—alongside dual MBAs in Marketing and International Financial Management. He also earned a B.Sc. (Special) in Public Administration from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and further academic credentials include diplomas in Management (Open University of Sri Lanka) and Sales & Marketing (Germany). Prof. Perera has played a key leadership role in higher education and national development, having served on prominent public institutions such as the Civil Aviation Authority, Sustainable Energy Authority, People’s Bank, and the National Library of Sri Lanka. His teaching and research focus on financial management, consumer behavior, marketing, and economics, and he has published widely in peer-reviewed journals on topics ranging from banking-sector marketing to rural poverty and consumer credit behavior. Recognized for his academic excellence, he has received multiple awards, including gold medals for best research presentations and merit awards in the fields of social sciences and management. Prof. Perera’s dynamic blend of scholarly achievement, public service, and international academic exposure makes him a leading voice in Sri Lanka’s business and finance education landscape. 

Mr. Lekey Dorji

Vice President  Bhutan

Lekey Dorji, a distinguished Fulbright Scholar (Class of 2023), represents Bhutan at the South Asia Privacy Professionals Association (SAPPA). With advanced degrees including an M.Sc. in Economics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and an LL.M. in Intellectual Property from Ankara University, Lekey brings a powerful blend of economic insight and legal expertise to the region’s privacy and IP landscape.

As a Senior Intellectual Property Officer with the Royal Government of Bhutan, Lekey leads national IP law reform, policy development, and international treaty negotiations. His dedication to protecting Bhutan’s cultural heritage and promoting innovation aligns closely with SAPPA’s mission to foster data privacy, compliance, and intellectual property excellence across South Asia.

Through SAPPA, Lekey Dorji is driving regional collaboration and capacity building to empower privacy professionals and enhance sustainable economic growth. Learn more about SAPPA’s initiatives and Bhutan’s role in advancing privacy and IP standards in South Asia.

Dr. Eliyas Kahn

Vice President Bangladesh

Dr. KHAN Mohammad Elyas is a distinguished scholar and researcher known for his significant contributions to the fields of Social Science, Social Justice, Development Economics, Development Studies, and Sustainable Development and Business Administration. With a robust academic background and extensive experience in interdisciplinary research, Dr. Khan has published numerous peer-reviewed articles that address critical issues related to Climate Change, Social Justice, and Sustainable Development. His work is characterized by a commitment to integrating scientific rigor with practical solutions aimed at promoting environmental resilience, sustainable development, and social equity. Currently, Dr. Khan holds visiting faculty positions at several leading universities such as Central Michigan University, University of Rome II, Action Institute, South-East University, and East West University, where he mentors graduate students and leads innovative research that influences policy and practice on both national and international levels.

Dr. KHAN Mohammad Elyas was born in a culturally rich environment in the south-west coastal belt of Bangladesh and broad up in the capital of Bangladesh which fostered his early interest in social science and people-centered development. From a young age, he demonstrated exceptional academic abilities, particularly in the fields of Social Science and Development Economics and Studies, and Business Administration. He continued his academic journey by obtaining advanced degrees, culminating in a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Georgia State, USA, which focused on innovative research in business administration and its multi-disciplinary. His early education laid a strong foundation for his future contributions to academia and research.

Mr. Mohamed Raaidh

Vice President Maldives

Mr. Raj Suwal

Vise President Nepal

Raj Kumar Suwal is a seasoned Intellectual Property (IP) law expert, legal academic, and practicing attorney from Nepal with over two decades of professional experience. Born on November 6, 1977, in Bhaktapur, Nepal, he belongs to the Newar community and is fluent in Newari, Nepali, English, and Hindi. He holds an LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law from the School of Indian Legal Thought, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India, where he graduated with first-class honors in 2004.

Currently, Mr. Suwal serves as the Executive Director of the Centre for Intellectual Property Nepal Pvt. Ltd. (CIPN), a leading organization in the field of IP awareness and policy in Nepal. He is also a Senior Associate and IP Attorney at Suwal Law Associates, where he has been actively involved in legal practice and consultancy since 2000. His teaching career spans nearly two decades, having taught Intellectual Property Law at various academic institutions including Kathmandu School of Law, Bright Vision College of Law, CHEA College of Law, Nepal Law Campus (Tribhuvan University), and Kathmandu University School of Law.

Mr. Suwal has played a pivotal role in shaping IP discourse and legislation in Nepal. He was appointed as a consultant for the National Intellectual Property Policy Draft Committee under the Ministry of Industry and contributed to drafting Nepal’s Copyright Act of 2072. He also led the development of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (Management) Act 2024 for the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. In 2017, he was the lead consultant for UNESCO’s needs assessment on implementing the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Nepal.

He has provided advisory services as a Legal and IP Rights Specialist at the Multidimensional Cannabis Research Center at Kathmandu University and served as a legal advisor to the Bhaktapur JuJu Dhau Entrepreneurs’ Association. His involvement with Rotary International includes serving as President of the Rotary Club of Bhaktapur during the 2018–19 Rotary Year and as District Youth Protection Officer for District 3292 (Nepal-Bhutan) for 2025–26.

Mr. Suwal’s research contributions include policy reviews and studies on Nepal’s accession to WIPO treaties and the Berne Convention. He has participated in and presented at national and international conferences, including the International Seminar on Sociolinguistics in Kerala, India. His work has been widely recognized by organizations such as WIPO, the Department of Industry, and the Nepal Copyright Registrar’s Office.

He has been a residential resource person for advanced training programs in IP Law for legal professionals, government attorneys, and law students across Nepal. Mr. Suwal is a member of the International Association for Teaching and Research in Intellectual Property (ATRIP), a contributor to the IP Handbook Committee of PIIPA, and represents CIPN as an honorary member of the Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network (ICCN).

With a distinguished career as a litigator, academic, consultant, and advocate of IP rights, Raj Kumar Suwal continues to be a driving force in the development of intellectual property law and policy in Nepal and the South Asian region.

Dr. BJC Perera

MBBS(Cey), DCH(Cey), DCH(Eng), MD(Paed), MRCP(UK), FRCP(Edin), FRCP(Lond), FRCPCH(UK), FSLCPaed, FCCP, Hony. FRCPCH(UK), Hony. FCGP(SL)

Vice President Sri Lanka  

Dr. B.J.C. Perera is a highly respected Consultant Pediatrician and an Honorary Senior Fellow at the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. With an illustrious medical career spanning several decades, Dr. Perera is internationally recognized for his contributions to pediatrics, postgraduate medical education, and academic publishing. He holds numerous prestigious qualifications and fellowships from Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom, reflecting his exceptional academic and clinical standing.

Dr. Perera is actively involved in scholarly publishing, serving as Joint Editor of the Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health and Section Editor of the Ceylon Medical Journal. He is the Founder Chairman of the Sri Lanka Forum of Medical Editors (2016), an initiative committed to promoting excellence and ethics in medical publishing.

A prominent leader in Sri Lanka’s medical community, Dr. Perera is the Founder President of the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians (1996–1997), a Past President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (2013), and a Past President of the Colombo Medical School Alumni Association (CoMSAA) in 2015. His lifelong dedication to improving child health and mentoring future generations of paediatricians has made him a respected figure across South Asia.

Shuvodeep Das

LLB, Patent & Design Attorney, India

Vice President India

Patent Attorney and IP Strategist with over 13 years of experience in both law firms and multinational R&D environments across India, US, China, Korea, Japan and Europe. My expertise spans patent drafting, prosecution (India, US, EP, PCT), SEP litigation, IP training, and innovation strategy.

I’ve managed patent portfolios and inventor ecosystems across domains like telecom, automotive, electric mobility, and connected technologies. My exposure to landmark litigation (Ericsson vs Oppo/Vivo, Xiaomi vs Dolby), in-house strategy (Hero MotoCorp, Motherson Group), and international filings has shaped my perspective on end-to-end IP value creation.

I currently lead IP Knowledge & Development at Motherson, focusing on building sustainable, global IP capabilities. I’m always open to strategic IP consulting, licensing collaborations, or cross-border innovation partnerships.

&D environments across India, US, China, Korea, Japan and Europe. My expertise spans patent drafting, prosecution (India, US, EP, PCT), SEP litigation, IP training, and innovation strategy.

I’ve managed patent portfolios and inventor ecosystems across domains like telecom, automotive, electric mobility, and connected technologies. My exposure to landmark litigation (Ericsson vs Oppo/Vivo, Xiaomi vs Dolby), in-house strategy (Hero MotoCorp, Motherson Group), and international filings has shaped my perspective on end-to-end IP value creation.

I currently lead IP Knowledge & Development at Motherson, focusing on building sustainable, global IP capabilities. I’m always open to strategic IP consulting, licensing collaborations, or cross-border innovation partnerships.

Mr. Eranda Kandegama

B.A. (Hon's) Colombo, LL.M IP & Tech. Law) (Cardiff), LL.M (Legal Tech), Dip in HRM (UK), Dip in Fintech (UK),  Dip in Psychotherapy & Counselling (UK), Dip in GDPR and Data Protection (IE), (CDP), Certified AI Security & Governance.

Notary Public, Commissioner for Oaths, Attorney-at-Law (Sri Lanka)

Deputy Editor

Eranda Kandegama is a Doctoral Researcher and Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, with extensive experience in data protection, legal technology, privacy law, and digital governance. As a Notary Public and Commissioner for Oaths, he brings a strong legal foundation, further enhanced by international academic exposure and specialized certifications. He holds an LL.M. in Intellectual Property & Technology Law from Cardiff Metropolitan University (UK) and an LL.M. in Legal Technology from Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania), along with a BA (Hons) from the University of Colombo (Sri Lanka). His professional qualifications include diplomas in Human Resource Management, Fintech, Psychotherapy & Counselling (UK), GDPR & Data Protection (Ireland), and global certifications such as Certified Data Protection (CDP) and Certified AI Security & Governance Specialist (USA). Eranda’s unique combination of legal expertise and technological insight positions him at the forefront of digital transformation, where he focuses on aligning legal frameworks with emerging technologies and international compliance standards. 

Mrs. Michelle De. Silva

(Dip.in. Law), LLB(UK) (LLM(Cardiff), Practitioner Certificate SUM(Personnel Data Protection), Attorney-at-Law

Assistant Secretary 

Singapore

Assistant Secretary of the South Asia Privacy Professionals Association (SAPPA), is a Singapore national with a distinguished career in data protection, privacy law, and corporate legal affairs. She holds a Diploma in Law, an LLB (UK), and an LLM from Cardiff University, along with a Practitioner Certificate in Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). Currently serving in a multinational organization in Singapore as both Data Protection Officer (DPO) and In-House Legal Counsel, she leads privacy compliance programs, advises on cross-border data transfers, and ensures alignment with PDPA, GDPR, and global privacy regulations. With extensive experience in regulatory risk management, legal advisory, and compliance governance, Mrs. De Silva has played a key role in bridging legal frameworks with business strategy, enabling innovation while safeguarding personal data. Her work at SAPPA strengthens collaboration between South Asian and Southeast Asian privacy professionals, advancing global standards in data governance, cybersecurity, and AI ethics. 

Mr. Jinal Ranathunga

(MSc, (Cardiff), BSc.(KDU)

Assistant  Editor

Assistant Editor

Mr. Jinal Ranathunga, Assistant Editor of the South Asia Privacy Professionals Association (SAPPA), is a dynamic professional with expertise in IT security, project management, and technology governance. He holds an MSc from Cardiff University and a BSc from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), Sri Lanka. Currently serving as a Project Manager at IFS, Jinal leads complex technology initiatives with a strong focus on information security, data protection, and compliance. His passion for cybersecurity and privacy frameworks drives him to contribute actively to SAPPA’s mission of strengthening data protection awareness and best practices across South Asia. With a blend of technical knowledge, leadership skills, and global exposure, Jinal plays a vital role in bridging the gap between IT operations and privacy compliance, fostering secure digital transformation for organizations in the region.

Miss. Thidasi Suwaris

Student Ambassador

YR Karunaratne B.Sc, (US)