Chandra Embuldeniya

Chandra Embuldeniya was the inaugural Vice Chancellor (2004-2011) of Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka, the first all entrepreneurial national university in Sri Lanka. The theme of the university is value addition to the national resources base. Innovative processes have helped break through the knowledge silos by introducing interdisciplinary programs. Embuldeniya was the first private sector CEO to become a Vice Chancellor of a national university. Extensive experience in all aspects of higher education including the initial set up of a university, securing financing, day-to-day operations and establishing good governance. Since 2011 setting up a modern world-class university in Sri Lanka focusing science and technology, engineering, hospitality and tourism, and fashion and design for 10,000 students at a cost of $127mil on a 120 acres of beautiful land as a flagship venture of the knowledge hub in Sri Lanka.

Embuldeynia is a graduate of University of Peradeniya BSc Maths, PGD Maths, PhD (h.c.). Honored by the Uva Wellassa University for the services rendered in setting up the University and an innovative new system for higher education. He was educated at Nalanda College Colombo at primary and secondary levels.

He was the president of the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), the founding president of the Business Council for Sustainable Development of Sri Lanka, the founding chairman of BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan) and the chairman of the BIMSTEC Business Forum.

National Chamber of Commerce is the leading Chamber of Private Sector Business Organization in Sri Lanka. Envisioned and restructured the Chamber to serve SMEs in addition to large Corporations. Founded two regional chambers in Trincomalee and Vavuniya to promote commerce. Developed commerce links between the North and South in Sri Lanka during a most difficult period due to internal strife. Led the JBiz (Joint Business Forum of Sri Lanka) striving for a national government between the ruling and the opposition parties as a means to take the country out of the economic morass caused by the internal strife.

He was the CEO of several leading companies in Sri Lanka during the period since 1992.

Enterprise Education Summit - Projects and Networking - British Council - Sri LankaEdit IEEC 2009Edit

General references

• "Chandra invited to speak at Oxford". Dailynews. 21 May 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2011. 

• "Helping others develop their skills". Sunday Observer. 23 November 2003. Retrieved 16 April 2011.