Tilak de Zoysa new Chair of HelpAge International – UK

Saturday, 4 December 2010 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

HelpAge International, the leading international organisation helping older people in fulfilling their potential to lead dignified, active, healthy and secure lives, announced its new chair, Deshabandu Tilak de Zoysa.

De Zoysa said: “HelpAge International is a unique organisation standing up for the rights of older people worldwide. I’m very excited by this new challenge to lead the HelpAge board.” By 2045, there will be more adults over 60 than children under 15. One in every four in Sri Lanka will be over 60. Senior Citizen allowances remain the highest priority, the key to unlocking older people’s ability to live independently with dignity and support their communities.

“Nearly 80 organisations in more than 50 countries are affiliated to HelpAge International including HelpAge Sri Lanka. Together we work to ensure that people everywhere understand how much older people contribute to society and that they must enjoy their right to healthcare, social services and economic and physical security.”

Overall, 1.5 million older people have benefited from HelpAge International’s help in the last year alone, including 40,000 recovering from the after-effects of disasters. By boosting older people’s ability to give, lead and nurture, we’ve triggered wider change across whole families and communities. I’m proud to be a part of the success story of HelpAge.”

The decision was announced at HelpAge International’s trustees meeting in Colombo last week. Eric Kimani the current chair praised the work of HelpAge Sri Lanka and thanked them for co-hosting the first ever a trustees meeting held outside the UK.

De Zoysa who is chair of HelpAge Sri Lanka will take up his appointment in March 2011.

Deshabandu Tilak de Zoysa the Honorary Consul for Croatia is the recipient of “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon” conferred by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. He is the President/Chairman of Associated Motorways Private Ltd., Carson Cumberbatch Ltd., Associated Capital Leasing Ltd., Amaya Hotels & Resorts (USA), Jetwing Zinc Hotels Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and the Regional Industry Service Committee ( Ministry of Industries ).

He also serves on many listed companies which include John Keells Ltd., Lanka Walltiles Ltd., Nawaloka Hospitals Ltd., Taj Lanka Hotels Ltd and serves as the Deputy Chairman of Ceat Sri Lanka and on the board of TAL Hotels & Resorts Ltd. De Zoysa was recently appointed as a Consultant to the Minister of Social Services and serves as a member of the Kalutara Bodhi Trust, Sasakawa Trust and the Ogawa Trust whilst serving as the Vice Patron of the Sri Lanka UK Society.

He is a former Member of the Monetary Board (2003-2009), a Past Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the National Chamber of Commerce, Japan/Sri Lanka Technical & Cultural Association (JASTECA ),the Plastic and Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka , Automobile Association of Ceylon and the Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association.

Deshabandu Tilak de Zoysa’s contribution to Sri Lanka is well known in business and social circles as a person who enjoys contributing his time and effort in upgrading lifestyles and the well being of society.