The Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA) conducted its 40th AGM recently.
Engineer Shantha Senarath was elected as the president.
As the president he plans to contribute to nationally important programs in a more effective manner with the help of the 16 Standing Committees of OPA to make OPA a force to reckon. The OPA, set up in 1975, is the apex body of 52 professional associations in Sri Lanka representing 32 professions. The total membership is above 60,000.
Senarath had his primary education at Rahula College, Matara and the secondary education at Ananda College-Colombo. He entered the University of Moratuwa for his engineering education in Electronics and Telecommunication engineering.
He is an engineer by profession with an Engineering MastersDegree from the UK. He is a founder member of the Engineering Council, Sri Lanka, established by Parliament Act No.4 of 2017, which is the sole regulatory body for the engineering profession of Sri Lanka. His experience in the industry counts more than 40 yrs. He has served holding several key managerial positions in Public and Private sector organizations. He had the opportunity to serve in ARAMCO, a leading American Oil Manufacturing company in the Middle East for several years.
The training he obtained in Germany on electrical distribution systems is a rare opportunity for any Sri Lankan engineer. Senarath is a Toastmaster with the highest ranking Distinguished Toastmaster awarded by Toastmasters International – USA for Communication and Leadership excellence. In order to develop Communication and Leadership skills of schoolchildren he has conducted Youth Leadership Programs at schools and Speechcraft Programs for adults in corporate sector organisations.
Techno-Plus International (Pvt) Ltd is his own business organisation where he is the Chairman and Managing Director. The company is a reputed supplier of high-tec Electrical Distribution Products to Electrical Utilities in Sri Lanka. He has been an office-bearer of the OPA since 2011 in different Standing Committees.
The positions that he held at OPA include the following: Chairman of Publication Committee and the Editor, Vice President of Career Guidance and Skills Development Committee, General Secretary of OPA and the President Elect. The service he has rendered to OPA and the country through the above committees is unprecedented.