Colombo YPO elects new leadership for 2018/19

The Executive Committee of YPO Colombo Chapter. Seated from left: YPO National Committee Secretary Azam Bakeer Markar, Immediate Past President Dinal Edirisinghe, President Pesala Karunaratna, YPO Chairman and Member of Parliament Harshana Rajakaruna, Secretary Amila Jayaratna, and Vice President Ahmed Farhan Standing from left: Malaka Samaraweera, Vice President Charana Kankanamge, Nimshi Wijekoon, Shereena Abdulla, Trishan Perera, Kasun Nupearachchi, and Arshad Arafath

The Colombo Chapter of the Young Professionals Organisation (YPO) elected the 2018/19 leadership team, at the YPO Colombo Annual General Meeting last week in Colombo. Pesala Karunaratna was elected as President, and Charana Kankanamge and Ahmad Farhan were selected to serve as Co-Vice Presidents. Amila Jayaratne was elected Secretary and Kasun Nupearachchi as elected Treasurer.

Addressing the gathering, YPO Chairman Harshana Rajakaruna thanked the Colombo Chapter for its continuous contributionin reaching out to young professionals of diverse background, and playing a vital role to fill-in knowledge gaps on public policy and economy.

Whilst thanking the committee, outgoing Colombo Chapter President Dinal Edirisinghe said: “YPO plays a key role in engaging the age 18-40 youth demographic, and over the last few years, it has led to many engagement and community outreach initiatives that had added value to the youth of the country.”

Calling professionals to make an impact using a viable alternative, President-elect Pesala Karunaratna said: “For a nation to progress, professionals, the future decision makers of the country, need to be actively engaged in evaluating policy, especially in areas of national interest, as they operate as influencers to a wider society. That’s the opportunity YPO creates for anyone with interest to serve the community. Constructive criticism is needed, but action speaks louder.Hence, I invite young professionals to use this platform to make a difference.”

Young Professionals Organisation (YPO) is an affiliated organisation of the United National Party which does policy research, holds events, and provides commentary on issues of the day relevant to Sri Lanka.