News
New President of the ISF – Sri Lanka
The Industrial Security Foundation was formed in the year 1992 on the 21st of February and was subsequently incorporated by an Act of Parliament, No 51 of 1999. The Founder President in 1992 was the late Mr. Edward Gunawardene, retired senior D. I. G. Mr. Gunawardene in his inaugural address, as reproduced in the ISF Security Journal of March 2010 pays a glowing tribute to the person who mooted the idea of forming a professional body for security personnel. He stated that “The idea of a voluntary professional body to uplift and maintain the ethical and professional standards of Industrial Security was conceived by Mr. Nihal de Alwis, who as you all know is a keen student of this discipline which is so dear to our hearts.”
Mr. Nihal de Alwis along with other past Presidents such as Capt. M.G.G. Mendis and Mr. D.I. de Silva is still active and remains vigilant of the destiny of the ISF. The trio are a source of strength and motivation for the present members and office bearers of the Foundation. Wing Cmdr.(Retd) Ranjith Ratnapala is another beacon light guiding the ISF.
The new President, Wazir Sourjah, (F.I.S.F.) was elected as the 15th President of the Industrial Security Foundation, (ISF) Inc. of Sri Lanka at the 33rd Annual General Meeting held on March 28th 2025, held at the Capri Club, Colpetty. Wazir Sourjah is a senior Life Member of the ISF and has been a member of the Executive Committee of the foundation on several occasions. He was also in charge of security training programs of the ISF, organizing several training programs for various levels in the security industry, some years ago. He is a retired Superintendent of Police with wide experience in the field of Law Enforcement – Community Policing, Counter Terrorism and in National Security responsibilities, within the Intelligence fraternity of the country. He has undergone training in related subjects while serving in the police department both locally and overseas, in Singapore, Malaysia, UK and the US. He is a Fellow of the ISF since 1996, and a Certified Security Management Professional (CSMP), from the International Security Management Institute (ISMI) – UK, in addition to being a member of the institute.
Post retirement from the police department, he has worked in several corporates such as L B Finance Ltd, MAS Holdings, John keells group in Ceylon Cold stores and the Cinnamon Grand hotel, GlaxoSmithKline a multinational, in the Security and Administration managerial positions. His last position was as a Foreign Service National Investigator (FSNI), in the Regional Security office of the U S Embassy in Colombo. He is also a past member of Toastmasters International, a regular writer on physical security. Presently he is an Independent Physical
Security Consultant. Sourjah is an old Royalist of the 70’s vintage, a boxer, captained the Royal College boxing team in 1973, coloursman, and was a senior prefect. He was also a onetime Honorary Secretary of the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) of Sri Lanka, presently known as the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), He was also a National Referee and Judge of the Boxing Referees and Judges Association (BRJA) of Sri Lanka in the years 1990 – 2013.
He has also published three books to his credit. Sourjah plans to focus his attention on elevating professionalism and ethics in the security industry and within the ISF, to the next level with the cooperation and assistance of all Past Presidents, who are the Foundation’s Council Membersand from members of the Executive Committee and the General Membership. The other office bearers of the ISF are; Immediate Past President; Wg. Cmdr. (retd). Pradeep Kannangara. Senior Vice President: Capt. (retd-SLA), Nalaka Silva, Vice President: Cmdr. (retd.) Aruna Maganaarchchi, Honorary Secretary: Mr. S M Sanders (SSP retd.), Honorary Assistant Secretary: Mr. Chamara Waduge. Honorary Treasurer: Col. (retd.) Suresh Pakshaweera. Honorary Assistant Treasurer: Gp. Capt. (retd) Athula Nanayakkara, Executive Committee Members: Maj. (retd.) Ananda Rodrigo, Maj. (retd.) D B S Dassanayake, Mr. Tony Perera, Maj. (retd.) Krishan De Silva, Mr. Mario Perumal, Maj. Gen. (retd.) Athula Jayawardene, Sqr. Ldr. (retd.) Lasitha Mendis and Maj. (retd.) Thilak Senanayake.
The Ceylon Electricity Board has appealed to all rooftop solar owners across the country to voluntarily switch off their solar systems during day time hours (until 3pm each day) from April 13th to 21st to prevent partial power outages or nationwide blackouts which may occur.
The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the people of Sri Lanka should no longer be burdened by conflict and the Government remains committed to ensuring peace and stability across the country, with the government and the public service must discharge their duties to meet the needs of the people.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held in Velanai, Nallur, and Vadamarachchi.
The Prime Minister said that:
“There are numerous issues regarding infrastructure development in the Northern Province ranging from roads, drinking water supply, agriculture, and unemployment, to education and health sectors.
Many of these development tasks fall under the responsibility of local governments and provincial councils that represents your areas. However, these responsibilities have not been properly discharged.
While it is said that the issues raised in the North and East were caused by the war, 16 years have passed since the end of the war. What real change has taken place? Have the lives of the people in these areas has improved?
Although the central government allocates funds to provincial governing bodies, there should be a transparent mechanism in place to ensure that these funds are properly utilized for the relevant projects.
On May 6th, you will hold the decisive right to elect the local government closest to you that will work to uplift your lives and develop your communities. Elect representatives who are committed to serving the people, and free of fraud and corruption.
The government is actively participating in lifting the country from its fallen state and to overcome the current economic challenges. We accept that there is a long way to go. The prices of goods are still high but the government is currently working towards a change, and the people will receive the benefits in the near future.
Measures have been taken to increase the basic salary of public servants from this year’s Budget. The public service must commit to discharging duties with dedication. This must be not only a people’s government, but also a public service that belongs to the people.
Even after the independence, this country has seen much bloodshed and conflict. The people have suffered greatly as a result. The government is determined to ensure that such a situation never arises again. Therefore, the government is committed to fostering peace within the country.”
The event was attended by Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekar, along with several Members of Parliament and local representatives in the North.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
A meeting organized by the National Initiative for Research & Development Commercialization (NIRDC) was held on Thursday (10) at the Presidential Secretariat to streamline and commercialize research and development activities in the defence sector.
Participating institutions included the Centre for Defence Research and Development under the Ministry of Defence, the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force, the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and the Research and Development Division of the Sri Lanka Police.
The NIRDC Unit, established under the Presidential Secretariat, aims to accelerate national development by facilitating investment opportunities to commercially apply completed or nearing completion research projects from both public and private institutions.
Defence institutions play a critical role for the progress of technology and science in relation to national security and development. Acknowledging this importance, the meeting was chaired by Senior Advisor to the President on Science and Technology, Professor Gomika Udugamasuriya.
During the meeting, it was discussed in detail regarding the completed and on-going research and development projects within the defence sector, as well as those planned for the future. Special attention was given to identifying opportunities for collaboration among research and development units, enhancing innovation capabilities, and exploring ways to share resources effectively.
The discussion focused on identifying opportunities for collaboration between research and development units relevant to these sectors, enhancing innovation capabilities and exploring ways to share resources effectively. It also examined possible steps to strengthen coordination between civil and defence research institutions. The discussion concluded productively, with several innovations identified that have the potential for future commercialization.
The event was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President (Finance and Economic Affairs) . Russel Aponsu, NIRDC Director General Dr. Muditha D. Senarath Yapa, Director (Investments) . Idunil Gunathilaka along with other officials.
[PMD]
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