December 2021
The Chairperson and members of the board of the OMP are appointed by the President of Sri Lanka on the recommendations of the Constitutional Council. The Constitutional Council follows a selection process that includes the issuance of a public advertisement calling for suitable candidates to apply. The OMP Act requires that the Board reflect the pluralistic nature of Sri Lankan society, with prior experience in fact-finding or investigation, human rights law, international humanitarian law, humanitarian response, or possess other qualifications relevant to the discharge of functions of the OMP.
Mahesh Katulanda
Present Chairperson
Mr. Mahesh Katulanda holds a multi-disciplinary background such as legal, humanitarian intervention, management and research. In addition to chairmanship of OMP, He is currently appointed to the Board of LCBF from September 2021. He is a Senior Attorney-at-Law. Mr. Katulanda previously held many leadership roles including Director - Sri Lanka Insurance (General) Limited (2014), Director - Marine Environment Protection Authority (2012-2015), Board Member of the Post Graduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya (2010), Director - General of National Aquatic Resource Development Agency (NARA) (2010), Director - Water Resources Board (2002-2004), Member of the Committee appointed to probe into the matters pertaining to promotions and corruption in Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (2003-2004) and Vice President of the Colombo Law Society (2019-2020). He is also an EXCO Member of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (2003-2004), (2012-2013), (2018-2020). He sworn in as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in December 1995.He was a Board member of the Post Graduate Institute of Science in 2010. Mr. Katulanda holds a LLM in Global Business Law from La-Trobe University, Australia. He is consultant of the Viswa Law Office and several corporate establishments and involved in a variety of cases in the District Courts, High Courts, Superior Courts and other Civil Courts and Tribunals in all over the Country.
Wijekone Bandara Ganegala
Present Member of the board
Mr Wijekone Bandara Ganegala is a Senior member ( Special Grade ) of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS). He was Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information when he retired from the Public Services, in July 2012. He served in a leading Bank in Sri Lanka for more than seven years before he entered the SLAS in 1980. Since then he has held many positions in the State Sector as Assistant Commissioner, Assistant Government Agent / Divisional Secretary, Assistant Director, Deputy Director, Director, Senior Assistant Secretary followed by a few prestigious positions at the President's Office as Senior Assistant Secretary, Additional Secretary and the Chief of Staff to Her Excellency the President. Mr Ganegala held the posts of Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media at two occasions and the Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Common Amenities and thereafter the Secretary to the Ministry of Petroleum, and Petroleum Resources Development as well.He participated in various overseas Seminars and Workshops representing both Sri Lanka and his Ministry / Organization he was attached to at that time.. After retirement from the Public Service he functioned as Chairman of Ceylon Electricity Board from 2013 -2015 and again from 2017 to 2018 while holding Chairperson positions at several Subsidiary Companies. Mr Ganegala at present as the Chairperson of Authors Composers and Publishers Organization of Sri Lanka (ACPOSL) has been contributing his services towards realization of Intellectual Property Rights due for Sri Lankan Music Artistes since last few years.
Mrs. Sithy Dane Arfa Thassim
Present Member of the board
Mrs. Sithy Dane Arfa Thassim nee Hassim served as a High Court Judge before she retired in 2015.She was the first female Lawyer to represent the bar at the Hambantota Courts and the first female Muslim Lawyer to the Southern Province (1979). She had an active practice in Criminal and Civil field for 12 yrs, after which she joined the Judicial Services as one of the first two Muslim female judges in 1991.She served as Magistrate, District Court Judge, High Court Judge and Civil Appellate High Court Judge in most of the Provinces including Western Province.Having joined the Legal Bar from an under developed rural area like Hambantota in the deep Southern Province, she opened up the pathway for the younger generation, especially females to enter into the legal profession.By joining Judiciary she acted as a role model to females and especially Muslims to step forward and serve the society, and contribute their services to their society and their country.While in Judicial Services, she was elected as President, Judicial Service Association and Vice President of HC Judges Association. She is the founder of the logo for Judges for Minor Judiciary and Higher Judiciary.During her tenure in the Judiciary, she had a reputation of concluding long pending cases and meting out justice to those that were in need of it. She always dreamt if serving her society, and goes to great lengths to ensure that her dream in this regard is fulfilled.
Mr Thambiaiah Yogarajah
Present Member of the board
Thambiaiah Yogarajah is currently serving as a member of the board of the office on Missing persons (OMP). He holds a Masters in Human Rights and Moral Ethics from the Victoria Global University of New Delhi, India. In the past, he served as a senior official of the Presidential Commission to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons (PCICMP) which was appointed to investigate the complaints regarding missing persons. As a senior staff member Yogarajah served as a responsible person in establishing complaint management system, handling complaints submitted by complainants, interviewing complainants, consult officials, and recording testimonials, organize and facilitate public sittings and outreach programs, responding to queries addressed by complainants, and represent the organization at various forum include meeting with diplomates and donors. Mr. Yogarajah has extensive experience in administration services having served the government sector for a period of about 42 years including a senior level public service in various ministries and departments. He handled managerial matters, industrial disputes settlements, employees provident fund, termination of employment, payment of gratuity, wages boards ordinance, maternity benefits, employment of women, young persons and children and prosecution matters while he was working in the department of labour. He was also a recipient of the Best Officer title of the Northern Zone from the Department of Labour. He holds a Diploma in Computer Awareness Programme for Public Servants in the Executive Grades from, University of Colombo. He also followed Management Development course & Book keeping and Accounting course at Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), and Numeric and Accounting course & People and Communication Course at Institute of Administrative Accounting and Data Processing. He also undertook Staff Upgrading Programme on Sound Industrial Relations from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Effective Labour Administration from National Institute of Labour Studies (NILS).
Mr Jayantha Wikramasinghe
Present Member of the board
Mr Jayantha Wikramasinghe
Mr. P M W Sampath Perera
Present Member of the board
Mr. Sampath Perera currently serves as a Commissioner of Office on Missing Persons (OMP).
With a legal career spanning over 13 years, he specializes in Civil Law and holds an LL.M. in International Businesses and Commercial Law from the University of West London, UK, highlighting his strong academic foundation.
Mr. Perera served as the Director (Legal) at the Central Cultural Fund, where his legal insight played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
As the Legal Director of KIU University, Mr. Perera provided invaluable legal counsel to the institution. His role involved overseeing legal matters, ensuring compliance, and contributing to the university's overall strategic initiatives. Additionally, he served as a member of the Ethics Review Committee, showcasing his commitment to upholding educational standards within the academic community.
Currently, Mr. Sampath Perera serves as the Co-Convenor of the Seminar Committee at the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL). In this capacity, he actively contributes to shaping legal projects, reflecting his dedication to advancing the legal profession and its impact on legal paternity.
Mr. Perera is a respected and longstanding member of the Colombo Law Society, further solidifying his commitment to professional development, networking, and collaboration within the legal community.
Beyond his legal accomplishments, Mr. Perera is a recognized sportsman, having received multiple awards for his achievements at the Annual Sports Gala organized by the BASL. His leadership and sporting prowess extend to international experiences, representing the Sri Lanka Lawyers Cricket Team at Lawyers Cricket World Cups.
Mr. Sampath Perera has represented Sri Lanka at the Lawyers Cricket World Cup in Barbados (2011), Delhi (2013), Brisbane (2015), Colombo (2017/2023), and Hamilton (2019), showcasing his commitment to both legal and sportsmanship excellence on the global stage.
Mr. Madhava Jayawardhana
Present Member of the board
Madhava Jayawardhana holds several multi-disciplinary positions in legal, commercial and research areas. In addition to the position, he holds as a Member in OMP, he is in active legal practice. He is also involved in variety of cases such as Fundamental Rights, Human Rights in the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. Mr. Jayawardhana mainly practices Civil, Criminal, Commercial, Family Law and practice as a Counsel in District Courts, High Courts, Appeal Courts and Tribunals. Mr. Jayawardhana has obtained a graduate Law degree (LL.B) and a Masters in International Commercial and Business Law ( LL.M )from University Of West London. He also holds a Masters in International Relations.He is a member of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and several International Bar Associations