BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Who we are
With a staff that consists of experts in multidisciplinary fields, the one thing we have in common is an innate commitment toward equipping Sri Lankans across the island to achieve the future they dream of, and deserve.
J. NATASHA
GOONERATNE
MELISSA
WIJEGOONERATNE
RYAN
RAYMOND
TREVOR
RAJARATNAM
Specialist in International Law, Human Rights, Peace Building and Reconciliation, Social Cohesion, Public Affairs and Diplomacy. Expert on Strategic Communications. Lecturer & Consultant on Public International Law. Specialised in UN Systems & Mechanisms, high level government, embassies, bilateral/ multilateral agency stakeholder management. Researcher & fixer for international media outlets incl. New York Times, Swedish Public Media (SVT), Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE).
Founder and convener of the Perspective South a international platform for public accessibility to geopolitics, International law, and matters related to human rights, migration, economic crisis and other timely topics
Melissa is the International Administrative Director of WOW LIFE WORLD - a global collective consisting of over 1,600 churches and non-profit organisations in Sri Lanka and worldwide. She has also operated as the project manager of the Warehouse Project from its initial conception in 2010, involved in its planning, implementation and growth. In 2023 the initial concept was rebranded as the Tripoli Market Initiative, as an ode to the locality from which it started. Melissa's passion for people and community has seen the growth of numerous social empowerment projects initiated through the initial Warehouse structure, including English classes for youth, feeding programs and capacity development drives. Her strong belief that clean eating leads to a better quality of life was the strategy behind her brand 'xxx Yogi' that used only ethically sourced Sri Lankan raw materials.
Mel is following an MA in Global Cultures from Kings College, London and has a BSc in Anthropology and Politics from Oxford Brookes University (2007).
With over fifty years of experience in the Travel Industry , operating at varying leadership roles at Corporate Organisations and Industry Associations, Trevor is a maestro in formulating strategies and plans for the travel industry. He is deeply versed in carrying out dialogue with the Department of Civil Aviation & the Aviation Ministry on a myriad of themes pertaining to travel and aviation. He is currently VP Finance and Board Member of the Universal Federation of Travel Agents, who are involved in strategic planning and providing leadership , direction and solutions at a global level.
LILANI
JAYAWEERA
JACQUELINE
ANN VOGT
With almost 3 decades of business experience, including leading one of Sri Lanka’s forerunner companies in interior solutions & turnkey contracting, Ryan Raymond currently operates as CEO & Managing Director of Colma Pvt Ltd. He further serves as a Director for Aramat Holdings, a multi-sectoral company versed in the industries of apparel, F & B, and health & wellness. Ryan specializes in financial management and strategic planning with a focused approach toward building business equity and process improvement. He is the founder of the Nelli Tree Project, a social services initiative established in 2017, focused on providing economic empowerment through education & training to youth in the impoverished neighborhoods of Nelligahawatta, situated on the outskirts of Colombo. Ryan has dedicated his personal time toward mentoring upcoming entrepreneurs and business owners in Sri Lanka at varying events organized throughout the island. He also serves as a board director for the Apostolic Diocese of Ceylon. Ryan received his Bachelors in Business Accounting from Monash University, Australia.
NATASHA
GOONERATNE
MELISSA
WIJEGOONERATNE
Specialist in International Law, Human Rights, Peace Building and Reconciliation, Social Cohesion, Public Affairs and Diplomacy. Expert on Strategic Communications. Lecturer & Consultant on Public International Law. Specialised in UN Systems & Mechanisms, high level government, embassies, bilateral/ multilateral agency stakeholder management. Researcher & fixer for international media outlets incl. New York Times, Swedish Public Media (SVT), Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE).
Founder and convener of the Perspective South a international platform for public accessibility to geopolitics, International law, and matters related to human rights, migration, economic crisis and other timely topics
Mel is following an MA in Global Cultures from Kings College, London and has a BSc in Anthropology and Politics from Oxford Brookes University (2007). She is also the International Administrative Director of WOW LIFE WORLD - a global collective consisting of over 1,600 churches and non-profit organisations in Sri Lanka and worldwide. She is also the project manager of the Warehouse Project for over 13 years. The project provides socio economic support to underserved communities in Sri Lanka
RYAN
RAYMOND
TREVOR
RAJARATNAM
With almost 3 decades of business experience, including leading one of Sri Lanka’s forerunner companies in interior solutions & turnkey contracting, Ryan Raymond currently operates as CEO & Managing Director of Colma Pvt Ltd. He further serves as a Director for Aramat Holdings, a multi-sectoral company versed in the industries of apparel, F & B, and health & wellness. Ryan specializes in financial management and strategic planning with a focused approach toward building business equity and process improvement. He is the founder of the Nelli Tree Project, a social services initiative established in 2017, focused on providing economic empowerment through education & training to youth in the impoverished neighborhoods of Nelligahawatta, situated on the outskirts of Colombo. Ryan has dedicated his personal time toward mentoring upcoming entrepreneurs and business owners in Sri Lanka at varying events organized throughout the island. He also serves as a board director for the Apostolic Diocese of Ceylon. Ryan received his Bachelors in Business Accounting from Monash University, Australia.
Close to fifty years of experience in the Travel Industry , having leadership roles at Corporate Organisations and Industry Associations, formulating strategies and plans for the travel industry having dialogue with the Department of Civil Aviation & the Aviation Ministry. Currently a VP Finance and Board Member of the Universal Federation of Travel Agents involved in strategic planning for this Global Association in providing leadership , direction and solutions on a global platform
LILANI
JAYAWEERA
JACQUELINE
ANN VOGT
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There are many variations of passages of Lorem Ipsum available, but the majority have suffered alteration in some form, by injected humour, or randomised words which don't look even slightly believable. If you are going to use a passage of Lorem Ipsum, you need to be sure there isn't anything embarrassing hidden in the middle of text. All the Lorem Ipsum generators on the Internet tend to repeat predefined chunks as necessary, making this the first true generator on the Internet. It uses a dictionary of over 200 Latin words, combined with a handful of model
With over a decade in the wellness industry, Jacky currently oversees operations at Colombo’s pioneering holistic health & wellness centre, the Prana Lounge. Receiving her certification in Perth, she is well known both in Sri Lanka & Australia for her in-depth instruction and teachings on yoga, mindfulness and her own niche module aptly titled ‘spirit flow’. She has assisted the IDE School in Colombo, which empowers and educates children with learning disabilities. Prior to her focus on health & wellness, she was part of the founding team that established the Academy of Design in Sri Lanka & has also operated as a director and business owner in the fashion apparel industry both in the UK and Sri Lanka, with a portfolio spanning over 20 years.
Jacky received her B.SC (Hons) in Psychology from the University of London
An Associate Member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects since 2001, Lilani heads her own architectural firm that has been at the forefront of corporate projects for some of Sri Lanka’s leading private sector giants. Her portfolio includes clientele from both Sri Lanka and abroad & includes projects that combine both architectural design and development, as well as interior design and reinvention. Lilani continues to advocate for greater women’s empowerment and leadership within Sri Lanka’s architectural industry, and often provides her time to mentor youth with an affinity towards design & architecture.
An Associate Member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects since 2001, Lilani heads her own architectural firm that has been at the forefront of corporate projects for some of Sri Lanka’s leading private sector giants. Her portfolio includes clientele from both Sri Lanka and abroad & includes projects that combine both architectural design and development, as well as interior design and reinvention. Lilani continues to advocate for greater women’s empowerment and leadership within Sri Lanka’s architectural industry, and often provides her time to mentor youth with an affinity towards design & architecture.
With over a decade in the wellness industry, Jacky currently oversees operations at Colombo’s pioneering holistic health & wellness centre, the Prana Lounge. Receiving her certification in Perth, she is well known both in Sri Lanka & Australia for her in-depth instruction and teachings on yoga, mindfulness and her own niche module aptly titled ‘spirit flow’. She has assisted the IDE School in Colombo, which empowers and educates children with learning disabilities. Prior to her focus on health & wellness, she was part of the founding team that established the Academy of Design in Sri Lanka & has also operated as a director and business owner in the fashion apparel industry both in the UK and Sri Lanka, with a portfolio spanning over 20 years.
Jacky received her B.SC (Hons) in Psychology from the University of London
SUULALI MADUKA WICKREMASINGHE
With corporate experience in business and finance, both in Sri Lanka and the UK, Suulali has operated within the telecommunications and commodity sector, before moving on to co-found a real estate and land development company in 2004. Her passion for art and design paved the way toward founding a clothing store that aimed to provide access to high-end international fashion brands to the Colombo market. Versed in specialized culinary skills, Suulali heads ‘Bake a Wish’ dealing in artisanal cakes and confectioneries. She devotes her free time toward life-coaching and empowering a group of young adults, which includes entrepreneurs in the fashion industry. Suulali received a degree in business and Finance from East Betshire College, UK.
FOUNDERS
FIONA
WIJEGOONERATNE
KIRBY SINCLAIR DE
LANEROLLE
Co-founding the Warehouse Project back in 2010 alongside her husband Bishop Kirby Delanerolle, Fiona initially conceptualized the project as a community development initiative designed to enrich, better and sustain the lives of the community living in close proximity to the initial locality of the project. Since then she’s worked with an ever growing team, both local and global, to replicate and facilitate projects around Sri Lanka that fosters human development and economic enablement. Her track record with social empowerment extends in terms of her roles as Board Member of the Apostolic Diocese of Ceylon (ADC) and as co-founder of Wowlife Church. Both entities are active nationally and abroad, in inculcating intra and inter-religious dialogue toward peacebuilding and reconciliation. Within the spheres of business and creative direction, Fiona has operated for over a decade, both within the apparel industry and in digital design solutions, including setting up training facility means for students in design. She is fully certified by the Flow Research Institute as a High Flow Coach. Fiona remains an active advocate of sports as a vehicle of empowerment and bridge-building and has personally participated at numerous IronMan 70.3 triathlons across the world. Fiona received her LLB (Hons) from Buckingham University in the UK and is currently reading for a Masters in Theology from the Fuller Seminary in the US.
Kirby is the co-founder of the Wow Life Global Movement and Ministry, alongside his wife Fiona. His experience spans beyond his current role in ministry, encompassing the private, public, intergovernmental and civil society spheres. Appointed as both advisor & private secretary, he has worked for numerous Government Ministers in Sri Lanka, including at the Ministry of Social Services, Ministry of Special Projects & Ministry of Fisheries. He was responsible for envisioning and establishing the partnership between the Ministry of Social Services and the United Nations Volunteers, paving the way for Sri Lanka’s first National Volunteering secretariat, to which he was appointed as Working Director in 2013. His work in the public sector in the area of development has also seen the collaboration with other UN entities including the project director of the FAO. Inculcating a dedication towards social & youth empowerment in the island, Kirby conceptualized the Warehouse Project with his wife Fiona back in 2010, with it quickly gaining international recognition at the time, as a catalyst for positive social change and poverty alleviation. The use of creative arts and culture in the project traces its roots to his work in the fashion and design industry during his youth.
His focus on the promotion and protection of human rights also extends under the banner of Wow Life ministries and the Apostolic Diocese Of Ceylon where inter-religious dialogue, minority rights and peace-building through reconciliation, has been a focal foundation of the church’s work. Kirby continues to advocate that the theme of reconciliation be seen in its wholistic form, drawing from a larger body of work, including science and psychology, with emphasis on reconciliation as healing, at the spiritual, anatomical, and social levels.
In 2015 he was appointed as the Chief Overseer and Bishop of the Apostolic Diocese of Ceylon by the Indian National Apostolic Diocese (INAD). In 2016 Kirby was appointed under the directive of the then Sri Lankan Prime Minister, to be the National Coordinator for the free and independent churches of Sri Lanka. This gives him advocacy for the minority rights of the Christian community in Srilanka.
The Wow Life Global Movement that he currently heads has representation in over 7 countries with that number growing each year.
Kirby holds a Doctorate of Divinity (DD Hon.) and bachelor’s from the INA Theological Open University, India and is currently reading for his MSc in Psychology & Neuroscience at Kings College UK.
Co-founding the Warehouse Project back in 2010 alongside her husband Bishop Kirby Delanerolle, Fiona initially conceptualized the project as a community development initiative designed to enrich, better and sustain the lives of the community living in close proximity to the initial locality of the project. Since then she’s worked with an ever growing team, both local and global, to replicate and facilitate projects around Sri Lanka that fosters human development and economic enablement. Her track record with social empowerment extends in terms of her roles as Board Member of the Apostolic Diocese of Ceylon (ADC) and as co-founder of Wowlife Church. Both entities are active nationally and abroad, in inculcating intra and inter-religious dialogue toward peacebuilding and reconciliation. Within the spheres of business and creative direction, Fiona has operated for over a decade, both within the apparel industry and in digital design solutions, including setting up training facility means for students in design. She is fully certified by the Flow Research Institute as a High Flow Coach. Fiona remains an active advocate of sports as a vehicle of empowerment and bridge-building and has personally participated at numerous IronMan 70.3 triathlons across the world. Fiona received her LLB (Hons) from Buckingham University in the UK and is currently reading for a Masters in Theology from the Fuller Seminary in the US.
KIRBY SINCLAIR DE
LANEROLLE
Kirby is the co-founder of the Wow Life Global Movement and Ministry, alongside his wife Fiona. His experience spans beyond his current role in ministry, encompassing the private, public, intergovernmental and civil society spheres. Appointed as both advisor & private secretary, he has worked for numerous Government Ministers in Sri Lanka, including at the Ministry of Social Services, Ministry of Special Projects & Ministry of Fisheries. He was responsible for envisioning and establishing the partnership between the Ministry of Social Services and the United Nations Volunteers, paving the way for Sri Lanka’s first National Volunteering secretariat, to which he was appointed as Working Director in 2013. His work in the public sector in the area of development has also seen the coordination & collaboration with other UN entities including the FAO. Inculcating a dedication towards social & youth empowerment in the island, Kirby conceptualized the Warehouse Project with his wife Fiona back in 2010, with it quickly gaining international recognition at the time, as a catalyst for positive social change and poverty alleviation. The use of creative arts and culture in the project traces its roots to his work in the fashion and design industry during his youth.
His focus on the promotion and protection of human rights also extends under the banner of Wow Life ministries where inter-religious dialogue, minority rights and peace-building through reconciliation, has been a focal foundation of the church’s work. Kirby continues to advocate that the theme of reconciliation be seen in its wholistic form, drawing from a larger body of work, including science and psychology, with emphasis on reconciliation as healing, at the spiritual, anatomical, and social levels.
In 2015 he was appointed as the Chief Overseer and Bishop of the Apostolic Diocese of Ceylon by the Indian National Apostolic Diocese (INAD). In 2016 Kirby was appointed under the directive of the then Sri Lankan Prime Minister, to be the National Coordinator for the free and independent churches of Sri Lanka. The Wow Life Global Movement that he currently heads has representation in over 7 countries with that number growing each year.
Kirby holds a Doctorate of Divinity (DD Hon.) from the INA Theological Open University, India and is currently reading for his MSc in Psychology & Neuroscience at Kings College UK.