DAANA BoD - 2017
Shanaka Herath (TX, USA)
President
Shanaka attended DRCK from 1983-1996. Shanaka is from 93 O/L and 96 A/L batch. He obtained his B.Sc. in Computer Science from Minnesota State University and M.Sc. in Software Engineering from North Dakota State University. He was a prefect, scout and 800m College record holder for a brief period. Currently, he is a PeopleSoft Solution Architect at University Of Houston.
Nishantha Bandara Ph.D. (NJ, USA)
Vice President
Nishantha attended DRCK from 1978-1985. He was the deputy head prefect in 1985 and participated in many extra-curricular activities including Cadeting, Scouting, and Athletics. He was a hosteler throughout his school days. He received his B.Sc. from University of Moratuwa and moved to United States for higher studies. He received his M.S.C.E. and Ph.D. from University of South Florida. Prior to joining academia, he worked in the industry for over 12 years in various capacities. Currently, he works at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan and resides in Bloomfield Hills, MI with his wife and daughter.
Thushara Diyabalanage Ph.D. (NJ, USA)
Secretary
Thushara Studied at DRCK from 1978-1985. He obtained his B.Sc. and M. Phil Degrees from the University of Peradeniya. He earned a PhD in Chemistry from the University of South Florida in 2006. He followed his passion for drug discovery in the next five years at the National Cancer Institute in Maryland with a NIH fellowship. Currently he is working as a Research Scientist in the cosmetic industry. Thushara was a member of the DAANA first BOD.
Chaminda Rajapakse
Assistant Secretary
Chaminda was a hopeless slacker at DRCK until he was exiled to the US in 1990. At DRCK he was a member of just about every society that would tolerate him including the Buddhist Students' Society, Interact Club, Ayurveda Medicinal Plants Club (seriously), Scouting, Prefects etc. In the US, he managed to embrace just enough sobriety to receive his Bachelor’s degree and two Master’s degrees from Brandeis University and Harvard University. After living and working for 15 years in more than 10 countries from Southern Africa to Sweden to Southeast Asia, he now works as an advisor to the World Bank Group and the United Nations living in Colombo, Mumbai or Bangkok (where his German wife works for the UN and trains pro Muay Thai). In his spare time he practices yoga, rides a mountain bike, cooks and eats a lot. When he grows up Chaminda wants to become a chef.
Karu Bombuwala Ph.D. (NJ, USA)
Treasurer
Karu studied at DRCK 1977 -1985. He completed his BSc special honors Degree in Chemistry at University of Peradeniya, and also obtained his MSc on the modification of anti-cancer drugs and a PhD in bioactive compound in lichens in Sri Lanka. Currently, he is working at International Flavors and Fragrances incorporated (IFF) in Union Beach, New Jersey as a Senior Research Investigator. He is living in New York.
Ama Geewandara (NY, USA)
Media Director
Ama is from 2001 Dharmaraja A/L batch and he completed his Bachelor's degree from the University of London (External Programs) in Computing and Information Systems. After graduation he moved to United States for higher studies. He completed his Master's at Syracuse University in Telecommunications and Network Management. Currently he works in the information technology industry in the New York area.
Asanka Samaraweera (TX, USA)
Activities Director
Asanka attended DRCK from 1990 to 1998 (grade 6 to A/L) and then University of Peradeniya (BSc in Computer Science Sp.). Then he worked as a Software Engineer at IFS R&D Int (pvt) Ltd in Sri Lanka and is currently working as a Senior Software Engineer in PROS Inc in Houston, TX.
Past Board of Directors