Dr. Dayan Rajapakse is a luminary in the realms of education and information technology, whose journey has been marked by innovation, leadership and a relentless pursuit of excellence. As the esteemed Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of the ESOFT Group since its inception in 2000, Dr. Rajapakse has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of higher education in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Rajapakse’s educational odyssey commenced at Maliyadeva College in Kurunegala, setting the foundation for a remarkable career. He embarked on a quest for knowledge, earning a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Software Engineering from the University of Westminster (UK) and an MBA from London Metropolitan University (UK). His commitment to education was further underscored by an Honorary Fellowship from Kingston University in London.

A true achiever, Dr. Rajapakse extends his expertise beyond the boardroom. He imparts knowledge through lectures in prestigious programs such as MBA, MSc, BCS and BIT, influencing and inspiring the next generation of IT professionals and business leaders.

In 2021, Dr. Rajapakse’s outstanding contributions were acknowledged with two prestigious Gold Awards from the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, crowning him the Entrepreneur of the Year in the Extra-Large Category.

Dr. Rajapakse’s influence extends to key leadership roles, including serving as the President of both the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) and the Southeast Asia Regional Computer Confederation (SEARCC). Currently, he holds the esteemed position of President at the Sri Lanka Association of Non-State Higher Education Institutions (SLANSHEI) and serves as the Senior Vice Chairman at the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS).

His legacy is not just about building a successful institution but fostering a transformative impact on education and IT in Sri Lanka. Dr. Dayan Rajapakse stands as an inspiring figure, trailblazer and a visionary leader whose commitment to excellence continues to shape the future of sound higher education and technology in Sri Lanka and beyond.

It is always a journey of innovation and strategic excellence with Mr. Amila Bandara, a committed professional with over two decades of experience in the intersection of academia and business. A multifaceted expert in Lecturing, Operations Management and General Management, Mr. Bandara’s commitment to excellence has left an indelible mark on ESoft and the educational landscape.

A proud alumnus of the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mr. Bandara earned his Master’s in Business Administration laying the groundwork for a career defined by leadership and vision. His affiliations with esteemed organizations such as the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL), Institute of Certified Professional Managers (CPM), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) USA, British Computer Society (BCS) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) underscore his commitment to professional development.

Mr. Bandara’s impactful contributions extend beyond his roles within ESOFT. Currently serving as the President of the Education Chapter at the Federation of Information Technology Sri Lanka (FITIS), he has played pivotal roles in shaping the industry.

In his current capacity as the Chief Operating Officer – Business Development at ESOFT Group of Companies, Mr. Bandara is at the forefront of driving overall business development strategies. His visionary approach and dedication to advancing new product innovations align seamlessly with corporate objectives, propelling the institution into new dimensions of success.

Sachini Nagahawatta is a distinguished professional in the higher education sector, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at ESOFT Metro Campus. She has built a strong reputation for her dedication to academic excellence, operational leadership, and strategic growth within the education industry.

Sachini is an alumna of the University of Kelaniya, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing Special with First Class Honors. She further strengthened her professional expertise by obtaining the Professional Qualification in Human Resource Management (PQHRM) from CIPM Sri Lanka, where she was recognized as a Gold Medalist. Adding to her academic achievements, she completed her MBA at London Metropolitan University, securing a Distinction Pass and being honored as the Most Outstanding Performer.

With more than a decade of experience in higher education, Sachini has played a pivotal role in driving the growth and success of ESOFT Metro Campus. Under her leadership, the campus has consistently achieved the benchmarks across its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in collaboration with prestigious UK universities and international partners. Her ability to successfully manage multiple intakes and cohorts, while ensuring quality standards and operational efficiency, has contributed significantly to the campus’s reputation as a trusted higher education provider.

A results-driven and people-focused leader, Sachini continues to inspire teams, strengthen academic operations, and lead strategic initiatives that enhance ESOFT Metro Campus’s position as a leading higher education institution in Sri Lanka.

Hazel has been an educator throughout her career, and has been able to develop her knowledge and expertise through working in colleges and universities in the UK and overseas. Her experience has spanned sectors, subjects, age groups and international boundaries, but has always had the aim of enabling others to succeed through harnessing the transformative potential of learning. Originally a biologist, she became involved in higher education firstly through teaching science for primary education courses and later through developing management courses for education professionals. At London Metropolitan University she developed and managed an MBA programme with specialist pathways. This programme has been particularly successful in Sri Lanka. Most recently, she developed and led the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at London Metropolitan University and has also supervised seven doctoral candidates to completion. Hazel has a particular commitment to collaborations in higher education, and has developed academic partnership provision for the University of Hertfordshire and London Metropolitan University. She has used her expertise to support the development of academic quality and confidence in others, and to develop excellent relationships with this focus in mind In 2021, she was appointed an Associate Professor (Teaching) by London Metropolitan University and continues to approach learning and teaching from a scholarly, informed perspective in order to enable others.

PUBLICATIONS

• Atukorale H, Kandambi M, Yapa S, Weerakoon H, Palliyaguruge K, Krishanthi M. Necessity of a care pathway for geriatric rheumatology patients; survey at a Sri Lankan Private Hospital Rheumatology Clinic. (2023), Poster Abstract Presentation Abstracts. Int J Rheum Dis, 26: 89 388
• The effect of pre-inoculation conditions on the results of urine samples collected for culture from a collection center of a private sector laboratory in Galle – research team headed by Wijayaratne G., Kandambi M
• A comparison between calculating Measurement Uncertainty using commercial quality control material and patient samples – study at a private medical laboratory in Sri Lanka (proposal submitted) – Dissanayake M., Kandambi M, Palliyaguruge K., Arambawella C.L., Batepola H.
• Performance of Complete Blood Count using glucose samples – study at a private medical laboratory in Sri Lanka (proposal submitted) – Mohotti M., Kandambi M, Palliyaguruge K., Arambawella C.L., Batepola H.
• Prevalence of lipid abnormalities and short-term outcomes in a selected cohort of young adults – study at a group of private laboratories in Sri Lanka (proposal submitted, pending approval) – research team headed by Dr. Lakmal Fonseka, Kandambi M, Palliyaguruge K.
• Study on predicting timeline of plasma leakages in dengue-infected patients based on hematological trends – Dahanayake N., Kandambi M, Palliyaguruge K. (ongoing)

Mr. Sinan Mohamed is our Chief Financial Officer and the strategic mind behind the financial prowess of our organization. Mr. Sinan is an Associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and a proud Member of the Association Accounting Technicians of Sri Lanka (MAAT). Holding an MBA from London Metropolitan University UK and a Business Management Finance Special Degree from the University of Colombo Sri Lanka, he brings a formidable academic background to his role.

With an illustrious career spanning over 25 years, Mr. Sinan has cultivated extensive management experience across diverse sectors. His expertise encompasses auditing, advertising, manufacturing, FMCG, hospitality and education, showcasing a versatile skill set that aligns seamlessly with the multifaceted nature of our institution.

In his role as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Sinan oversees the Group’s Finance and Accounting, Taxation, Corporate Finance, Strategy, Treasury, Project Planning, Budgeting Controls, Variance Analysis and Financial Management functions. His leadership is marked by a commitment to excellence, financial acumen and a strategic vision that propels the organization toward sustained success.

Mr. Sinan’s journey is characterized by a dedication to professional growth and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Join us in celebrating the financial stewardship of Mr. Sinan Mohamed, a key architect in shaping the financial landscape of ESOFT.