Tisara De Silva inducted as President of OPA for 2026/2027

Tisara De Silva was inducted as President of the Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA) for the term 2026 to 2027 at 51st organisation’s Annual General Meeting held on 30 October 2026. 

His elevation to the Presidency marks a significant milestone for the Pharmaceutical Society of Sri Lanka (PSSL), as he becomes the first professional from (PSSL)

 to assume the presidency of OPA which is founded in 1975, OPA serves as the apex body representing 52 Member Associations across 32 professions. Its role in bringing together diverse professional disciplines provides an important platform for collective engagement, policy dialogue and constructive contributions to national development.

His election as President-Elect of OPA in the preceding year, secured with a high majority of votes, reflected the confidence placed in his leadership and the esteem in which he is held within the professional community. 

De Silva brings to the Presidency extensive institutional experience, professional insight and a longstanding commitment to organisational development. He served as General Secretary of OPA for two consecutive years, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, and as Chairman of the Premises Maintenance Committee. In 2022- 2023 he served as Vice-President of OPA and Chairman of the Seminars, Workshops and Programs Committee. Further, his involvement in the Executive Council over many years and his 23-years experiences and association with the OPA General Forum reflect a sustained commitment to the organisation’s governance, activities and wider professional mission.

A past pupil of Royal College, Colombo 7, De Silva is a distinguished member of the Pharmaceutical profession and a Past President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Sri Lanka (PSSL). Over more than 26 years of service on the PSSL Council, he has held numerous leadership positions, including President for two consecutive terms (2020–2021 and 2021–2022), Immediate Past President, President-Elect, Senior Vice-President, Vice-President, Assistant Secretary and Council Member. He has also served for several years as a member of the Society’s Board of Trustees. De Silva is a Pharmacist registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council.

His professional career spans more than 32 years in the Pharmaceutical Industry, including 27 years in senior management at GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, a leading Multinational Pharmaceutical Company. This experience has provided him with extensive exposure to pharmaceutical operations, organisational management and leadership within an international corporate environment.

His academic and professional development includes a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Malaysia, a Diploma in Modern Management from the United Kingdom, and a Diploma in Computer Programming. This combination of professional experience, management expertise and educational background has shaped his contributions to institutional leadership and the advancement of the pharmaceutical sector. 

Beyond his national responsibilities, De Silva has maintained an active presence in Regional and International Pharmaceutical Organisations. He currently serves as Secretary of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the South East Asian Regional Pharmaceutical Forum (SEARPharm Forum) and as a member of its Executive Council until 2027.From 2020 to 2022, he served as a Bureau Member of the Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations (FAPA) and as a Council Member of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). He is also a member of the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association (CPA), United Kingdom. These engagements reflect his continuing contribution to professional collaboration, knowledge exchange and the representation of pharmaceutical interests beyond national boundaries. 

De Silva’s assumption of the OPA Presidency is a considerable pride for the Pharmaceutical Society of Sri Lanka. His achievement underscores the contribution of the pharmaceutical profession and industry to the broader professional landscape and affirms the value of sustained participation in collective professional leadership.

As he undertakes this responsibility as president of OPA for 2026 to 2027, his extensive experience in professional governance, industry leadership and international engagement provides a strong foundation for serving the OPA and its diverse membership.