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{{Short description|Sri Lankan politician}}
{{Infobox MP
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
| honorific-prefix = [[The Honourable]]
{{more footnotes needed|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = Hon.
| name = Thilanga Sumathipala
| name = Thilanga Sumathipala
| native_name = {{lang|si|තිලංග සුමතිපාල}}<br />{{lang|ta|திலங்க சுமதிபால}}
| honorific-suffix = [[Member of Parliament|MP]]
| honorific-suffix =
| image =
| image =
| imagesize = 150px
| imagesize =
|order = [[Member of Parliament]]
| order = [[Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka]]
|order1 =
| office =
| constituency_MP = [[Colombo District]]
| term_start = 1 September 2015
| parliament = Sri Lankan
| term_end = 12 April 2018
| president = [[Maithripala Sirisena]]
| majority =<!-- Can be repeated up to eight times by adding a number -->
| primeminister = [[Ranil Wickremesinghe]]
| term_start =<!-- Can be repeated up to eight times by adding a number -->
| predecessor = [[Chandima Weerakkody]]
| term_end =<!-- Can be repeated up to eight times by adding a number -->
| predecessor =
| successor = [[Ananda Kumarasiri]]
| constituency_MP1 = [[National List Member of Parliament|National List]]
| successor =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1964|05|03}}
| parliament1 = Sri Lanka
| birth_place = [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka]]
| majority1 =
| term_start1 = 2015
| term_end1 = 2020
| predecessor1 =
| successor1 =
| constituency_MP2 = [[Colombo Electoral District|Colombo District]]
| parliament2 = Sri Lanka
| majority2 =
| term_start2 = 2010
| term_end2 = 2015
| predecessor2 =
| successor2 =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1964|05|03}}
| birth_place = [[Colombo]], Sri Lanka
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| nationality = {{flagicon|Sri Lanka}} Sri Lankan
| nationality = Sri Lankan
| party = [[Sri Lanka Freedom Party]]
| party = [[Sri Lanka Freedom Party]]
| occupation = [[Politics]]
| occupation = Entrepreneur/Politics
| otherparty =
| otherparty =
| spouse = Samadara Sumathipala
| partner =
| relations =
| children = Udhantha, Dulantha, Sajantha
| residence =
| alma_mater = [[Nalanda College Colombo]]
| alma_mater = [[Nalanda College Colombo]]
| profession = [[Businessman]]
| profession = Entrepreneur
| religion = [[Buddhist]]
| signature =
| website =
| footnotes =
| rank =
| rank =
| branch =
| branch =
| unit =
| unit =
| allegiance =
| allegiance =
| serviceyears =
| serviceyears =
| religion =
| signature =
| signature =
| residence = 59, Ananda Rajakaruna Mw,<br> Colombo 10, Sri Lanka.
| residence = Colombo, Sri Lanka.
| website = [http://www.thilangasumathipala.lk/ Thilanga Sumathipala]
| website ={{URL|thilanga.lk/}}
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}


'''Uduwatuwage Janath Priya Thilanga Sumathipala''' [[Member of Parliament|MP]] (born 3 May 1964) (known as ''Thilanga Sumathipala'') is a Member of Parliament representing the [[Colombo District]].
'''Uduwatuwage Janath Priya Thilanga Sumathipala''' (born 3 May 1964) (known as '''Thilanga Sumathipala''') was a Sri Lankan politician, who was the former deputy speaker of the [[Parliament of Sri Lanka]] (2015 - 2018) and former president of [[Sri Lanka Cricket]] (2016–2019).<ref>{{cite web|title=Shammi Silva elected president of Sri Lanka Cricket|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/26043237/shammi-silva-elected-president-sri-lanka-cricket|access-date=2020-12-07|website=www.espncricinfo.com|language=en}}</ref>


Previously he served as deputy minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training.<ref>[http://newsfirst.lk/english/2015/06/thilanga-sumathipala-assumes-duties-as-deputy-minister/100051 Thilanga Sumathipala assumes duties as deputy minister]</ref> He was a member of parliament representing the [[Colombo District]]. He served as a member of the [[Western Province, Sri Lanka|Western]] Provincial Council and was the [[Sri Lanka Freedom Party]] chief organiser for the [[Borella]] Electorate in [[Colombo]] District.
He was a former member of the [[Western Province, Sri Lanka|Western]] Provincial Council


== Early life and education ==
[[Sri Lanka Freedom Party]] chief organiser for the [[Borella]] Electorate in [[Colombo]] District.
Thilanga Sumathipala is the fifth child out of a family of seven children (Sandya Alahendra, Ramani Gunadasa, Jagath Sumathipala, Anoja Chandrathilake, Anusha Dharmadasa and Shanika Edirisinghe), the son of U. W. Sumathipala and Dr. Milina Sumathipala. His father worked in a number of industries, including construction, logistics, film and as a turf accountant. In 1979, when Sumathipala was fifteen, his father died of heart failure, at the age of 55 years, with his mother being solely responsible for managing the family's business activities and raising her children.


Sumathipala was born on 3 May 1964, and raised in his family home in Colombo with his faith in Buddhism. He was educated at [[Nalanda College, Colombo]].<ref>[http://www.battleofthemaroons.lk/history_1983.html 54th Battle of the Maroons – Nalanda Team]</ref> At school, having studied the commerce stream, Sumathipala also actively participated in cricket and was the vice-captain of the school's first XI cricket team in 1982. In 1983, he went onto further studies in Photolithography and Printing Techniques at the London College of Printing, (United Kingdom), during his time in London he played for the Blackheath Cricket Club in the [[Kent]].
Chairman of the Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretariat Development Coordination Committee.


Upon graduating in the field of printing, Sumathipala returned to Sri Lanka in 1985 to assist in his family business with his primary focus on the printing operations at Sumathi Printers. Subsequently he focused on expansion and diversification, establishing various enterprises under the Sumathi brand, including Sumathi Book Printing, Sumathi Publishers, Sumathi Trading.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sumathi.com/about/ |title=About Us |publisher=Sumathi Holdings |access-date=2023-10-05}}{{primary source inline|date=October 2023}}</ref>
He is also the managing director of one of the largest private corporate groups [http://www.sumathi.lk/ Sumathi Group] of companies in Sri Lanka. He is one of leading [[business magnate]]s in Sri Lanka.


In 1992, Sumathipala married Samadara Wimalarathne, daughter of Victor Wimalarathne and Chandra who managed Sri Lanka’s Premium Confectionery Ice cream, Alerics. They had three sons Suhantha (1993), Dulantha (1997) and Sajantha (1999), all whom attended Royal College.
He chaired two telecommunication companies namely [[Sri Lanka Telecom]] and [[Sri Lanka|Mobitel]] (Pvt) Ltd from 2002 to 2004.


Sumathipala has an extensive educational background, which include the following:
Thilanga was the president of the [[Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka]] from 1997–1998, 2000–2001 and 2003–2004.
Following his studies in printing in London, he pursued his Postgraduate Studies in Public Management at the University of Colombo. Subsequently he earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration from the same institution.


Sumathipala completed Executive Education Programs at the Harvard Business School in 2005 and again in 2006 at the Harvard J.F.K School of Government.
Was the director of the [[International Cricket Council]] in 1998–2000.


In recognition of his expertise, Sumathipala was appointed as a distinguished Professor in Strategic Management by the University of Keiymung in 2014. Presently{{when|date=October 2023}} Sumathipala is pursuing a Ph.D at the Beijing University of Foreign Studies.
Was the president of the [[Asian Cricket Council]] in 1997–1998.


== Career ==
Chairman of the Asian Cricket Committee in 2000–2001.
Sumathipala is serving as the General Secretary of the United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA),<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=86294#:~:text=The%20Central%20Committee%20of%20the,People%27s%20Freedom%20Alliance%20(UPFA) | title=Thilanga Sumathipala appointed UPFA General Secretary }}</ref> and Freedom Peoples Alliance (FPA) which consists of more than twelve political parties. He is also currently serving as the Vice President of the [[Sri Lanka Freedom Party]] (SLFP). Sumathipala was the Colombo District leader of the SLFP, however he had to take a step down when he was appointed as the General Secretary of the UPFA.


Sumathipala gained recognition for his contributions to the Sri Lankan cricket board, initially as vice president in 1995 and later as the president of the Sri Lankan Cricket Board on multiple occasions.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/thilanga-sumathipala-youngest-president-of-the-bccsl-30-mar-1998-76138 | title=Thilanga Sumathipala - youngest president of the BCCSL (30 Mar 1998) }}</ref> Sumathipala entered politics in 2009, when he was elected as a member to the Western Provincial Council and then later to the Sri Lanka Parliament in 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.parliament.lk/component/members/viewMember/3127 | title=Parliament of Sri Lanka - Thilanga Sumathipala }}</ref>
He received his education at [[Nalanda College Colombo]] and [[London College of Communication]],UK.. While at school Thilanga excelled in cricket and was the vice captain of the college First XI team in 1982.


Sumathipala had been the chairman of [[Sri Lanka Telecom PLC]] and [[SLTMobitel|Mobitel]] (PVT) LTD <ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2004/01/06/bus01.html | title=Online edition of Daily News - Business }}</ref> and served as the president of Sri Lanka Cricket, Asian Cricket Council and International Advertising Association. In the political realm, he served as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka (2015-2018),<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.parliament.lk/deputy-speaker-and-chairman-of-committees | title=Parliament of Sri Lanka - Deputy Speakers and Chairmen of Committees }}</ref> State Minister of Technology and Innovation (2019 - 2020), and Deputy Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training (2015).{{cn|date=October 2023}}
==References==


It was his initiative to recognise the television industry in 1995 by launching National TV Awards to recognise the nascent potential of the television industry.<ref>[https://sumathiawards.lk/]{{primary source inline|date=October 2023}}</ref> Simultaneously he launched the national newspaper, ''Lakbima'', and a suite of other tabloids including, ''Sarasi'', ''Rajina'', ''Araliya'', ''Samudura'' and ''Sathsara''.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

Sumathipala has also played a prominent role in the corporate world, serving as the chairman of Sumathi Ventures <ref>[https://sumathiventures.com/]{{primary source inline|date=October 2023}}</ref> and Asia Capital PLC,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ft.lk/Front-Page/Asia-Capital-appoints-Thilanga-Sumathipala-as-Chairman/44-723709 | title=Asia Capital appoints Thilanga Sumathipala as Chairman &#124; Daily FT }}</ref> whilst also serving in various organizations and companies in the capacity of chairman / director.<ref>[https://www.sumathiuniversal.com/teams-alter.php]{{primary source inline|date=October 2023}}</ref>

Sumathipala is also a philanthropist, providing back to the community through the Thilanga Sumathipala Foundation, a charitable foundation which he had established to combat poverty and to foster social development.<ref>[https://www.sumathiuniversal.com/service-single.php]{{primary source inline|date=October 2023}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
* By Lakmal Welabada {{cite web|url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/01/27/spe03.asp
|title='He is unique, that's why I love him'
|publisher=Sunday Observer
|accessdate=2008-01-27}}


* By Lakmal Welabada {{cite web
* {{cite web|url=http://www.vote4thilanga.lk/biography/
|url=https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2008/01/27/spe03.asp
|title=About Thilanga
|title='He is unique, that's why I love him'
|publisher=vote4thilanga.lk
|work=Sunday Observer
|accessdate=2009-07-02}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}
|access-date=27 January 2008
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605231453/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/01/27/spe03.asp
|archive-date=5 June 2011
|url-status=live
}}


* {{cite web|url=http://www.vote4thilanga.lk/biography/ |title=About Thilanga |publisher=vote4thilanga.lk |access-date=2 July 2009 }} {{dead link|date=May 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.sumathi.lk/
* {{cite web|url=http://www.sumathi.lk/
|title=Sumathi Group of Companies
|title=Sumathi Group of Companies
|publisher=sumathi.lk
|publisher=sumathi.lk
|accessdate=2009-07-02}}
|access-date=2 July 2009}}


* By Panchamee Hewavisenti {{cite web|url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/11/23/mag01.asp
* By Panchamee Hewavisenti {{cite web
|url=https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2008/11/23/mag01.asp
|title=Biz Buzz for Tomorrow's Leaders
|title=Biz Buzz for Tomorrow's Leaders
|date=2008-11-23
|date=23 November 2008
|publisher=Sunday Observer
|work=Sunday Observer
|access-date=2 July 2009
|accessdate=2009-07-02}}
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131231336/http://sundayobserver.lk/2008/11/23/mag01.asp
|archive-date=31 January 2009
|url-status=live
}}


* {{cite web|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20090208/POTSHOT.HTM |title=Beliatte battles stump Thilanga |date=8 February 2009 |publisher=The Sunday Leader |access-date=2 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927110630/http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20090208/POTSHOT.HTM |archive-date=27 September 2011 }}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20090208/POTSHOT.HTM
*[https://archive.today/20130218213452/http://video.dailymirror.lk/videos/174/thilanga-sumathipala-on-%E2%80%98hot-seat%E2%80%99 Thilanga Sumathipala on ‘HOT SEAT’] Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) Video.
|title=Beliatte battles stump Thilanga
|date=2009-02-08
|publisher=The Sunday Leader
|accessdate=2009-07-02}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}
*[http://video.dailymirror.lk/videos/174/thilanga-sumathipala-on-%E2%80%98hot-seat%E2%80%99 Thilanga Sumathipala on ‘HOT SEAT’] Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) Video.


{{Members of 14th Parliament of Sri Lanka}}
{{Members of 14th Parliament of Sri Lanka}}
{{Members of 15th Parliament of Sri Lanka}}
{{Members of the Sri Lankan Parliament from Colombo}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Sumathipala, Thilanga
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Member of Parliament
| DATE OF BIRTH = 3 May 1964
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka]]
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sumathipala, Thilanga}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sumathipala, Thilanga}}
[[Category:Sri Lankan politicians]]
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan businesspeople]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan philanthropists]]
[[Category:Sinhalese people]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan Buddhists]]
[[Category:Alumni of Nalanda College, Colombo]]
[[Category:Alumni of Nalanda College, Colombo]]
[[Category:Deputy speakers and chairmen of committees of the Parliament of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the 14th Parliament of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Members of the 14th Parliament of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Members of the 15th Parliament of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Provincial councillors of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Provincial councillors of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Prisoners and detainees of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Sinhalese people]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan businesspeople]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan Buddhists]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan philanthropists]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan politicians convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan prisoners and detainees]]

Latest revision as of 06:13, 4 December 2024

Hon.
Thilanga Sumathipala
තිලංග සුමතිපාල
திலங்க சுமதிபால
Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka
In office
1 September 2015 – 12 April 2018
PresidentMaithripala Sirisena
Prime MinisterRanil Wickremesinghe
Preceded byChandima Weerakkody
Succeeded byAnanda Kumarasiri
Member of Parliament
for National List
In office
2015–2020
Member of Parliament
for Colombo District
In office
2010–2015
Personal details
Born (1964-05-03) 3 May 1964 (age 60)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Political partySri Lanka Freedom Party
Residence(s)Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Alma materNalanda College Colombo
OccupationEntrepreneur/Politics
ProfessionEntrepreneur
Websitethilanga.lk

Uduwatuwage Janath Priya Thilanga Sumathipala (born 3 May 1964) (known as Thilanga Sumathipala) was a Sri Lankan politician, who was the former deputy speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka (2015 - 2018) and former president of Sri Lanka Cricket (2016–2019).[1]

Previously he served as deputy minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training.[2] He was a member of parliament representing the Colombo District. He served as a member of the Western Provincial Council and was the Sri Lanka Freedom Party chief organiser for the Borella Electorate in Colombo District.

Early life and education

[edit]

Thilanga Sumathipala is the fifth child out of a family of seven children (Sandya Alahendra, Ramani Gunadasa, Jagath Sumathipala, Anoja Chandrathilake, Anusha Dharmadasa and Shanika Edirisinghe), the son of U. W. Sumathipala and Dr. Milina Sumathipala. His father worked in a number of industries, including construction, logistics, film and as a turf accountant. In 1979, when Sumathipala was fifteen, his father died of heart failure, at the age of 55 years, with his mother being solely responsible for managing the family's business activities and raising her children.

Sumathipala was born on 3 May 1964, and raised in his family home in Colombo with his faith in Buddhism. He was educated at Nalanda College, Colombo.[3] At school, having studied the commerce stream, Sumathipala also actively participated in cricket and was the vice-captain of the school's first XI cricket team in 1982. In 1983, he went onto further studies in Photolithography and Printing Techniques at the London College of Printing, (United Kingdom), during his time in London he played for the Blackheath Cricket Club in the Kent.

Upon graduating in the field of printing, Sumathipala returned to Sri Lanka in 1985 to assist in his family business with his primary focus on the printing operations at Sumathi Printers. Subsequently he focused on expansion and diversification, establishing various enterprises under the Sumathi brand, including Sumathi Book Printing, Sumathi Publishers, Sumathi Trading.[4]

In 1992, Sumathipala married Samadara Wimalarathne, daughter of Victor Wimalarathne and Chandra who managed Sri Lanka’s Premium Confectionery Ice cream, Alerics. They had three sons Suhantha (1993), Dulantha (1997) and Sajantha (1999), all whom attended Royal College.

Sumathipala has an extensive educational background, which include the following: Following his studies in printing in London, he pursued his Postgraduate Studies in Public Management at the University of Colombo. Subsequently he earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration from the same institution.

Sumathipala completed Executive Education Programs at the Harvard Business School in 2005 and again in 2006 at the Harvard J.F.K School of Government.

In recognition of his expertise, Sumathipala was appointed as a distinguished Professor in Strategic Management by the University of Keiymung in 2014. Presently[when?] Sumathipala is pursuing a Ph.D at the Beijing University of Foreign Studies.

Career

[edit]

Sumathipala is serving as the General Secretary of the United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA),[5] and Freedom Peoples Alliance (FPA) which consists of more than twelve political parties. He is also currently serving as the Vice President of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). Sumathipala was the Colombo District leader of the SLFP, however he had to take a step down when he was appointed as the General Secretary of the UPFA.

Sumathipala gained recognition for his contributions to the Sri Lankan cricket board, initially as vice president in 1995 and later as the president of the Sri Lankan Cricket Board on multiple occasions.[6] Sumathipala entered politics in 2009, when he was elected as a member to the Western Provincial Council and then later to the Sri Lanka Parliament in 2010.[7]

Sumathipala had been the chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC and Mobitel (PVT) LTD [8] and served as the president of Sri Lanka Cricket, Asian Cricket Council and International Advertising Association. In the political realm, he served as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka (2015-2018),[9] State Minister of Technology and Innovation (2019 - 2020), and Deputy Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training (2015).[citation needed]

It was his initiative to recognise the television industry in 1995 by launching National TV Awards to recognise the nascent potential of the television industry.[10] Simultaneously he launched the national newspaper, Lakbima, and a suite of other tabloids including, Sarasi, Rajina, Araliya, Samudura and Sathsara.[citation needed]

Sumathipala has also played a prominent role in the corporate world, serving as the chairman of Sumathi Ventures [11] and Asia Capital PLC,[12] whilst also serving in various organizations and companies in the capacity of chairman / director.[13]

Sumathipala is also a philanthropist, providing back to the community through the Thilanga Sumathipala Foundation, a charitable foundation which he had established to combat poverty and to foster social development.[14]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Shammi Silva elected president of Sri Lanka Cricket". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  2. ^ Thilanga Sumathipala assumes duties as deputy minister
  3. ^ 54th Battle of the Maroons – Nalanda Team
  4. ^ "About Us". Sumathi Holdings. Retrieved 5 October 2023.[non-primary source needed]
  5. ^ "Thilanga Sumathipala appointed UPFA General Secretary".
  6. ^ "Thilanga Sumathipala - youngest president of the BCCSL (30 Mar 1998)".
  7. ^ "Parliament of Sri Lanka - Thilanga Sumathipala".
  8. ^ "Online edition of Daily News - Business".
  9. ^ "Parliament of Sri Lanka - Deputy Speakers and Chairmen of Committees".
  10. ^ [1][non-primary source needed]
  11. ^ [2][non-primary source needed]
  12. ^ "Asia Capital appoints Thilanga Sumathipala as Chairman | Daily FT".
  13. ^ [3][non-primary source needed]
  14. ^ [4][non-primary source needed]
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