About

Us

Our Journey

Empowering Communities through Experience, Modern Tools, and Participatory Approaches

The International Institute of Development Training (Private) Limited (IIDT) was established in 2009 and registered under the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007 (Reg. No. PV 70899). In 2022, the organization was rebranded as the International Institute for Development Transformation (Private) Limited (IIDT), while retaining the same registration number.

IIDT is committed to delivering high-quality services in development training, research, and consultancy. Its core areas of expertise include socio-economic research, training, and consultancy in Project Cycle Management, enterprise development, governance, organizational development, personal productivity, and environmental sustainability.

Over the years, IIDT has significantly expanded its client base and expert network, successfully implementing projects both locally and internationally. At present, IIDT collaborates with a multidisciplinary panel of over 100 experts across diverse fields of specialization

Meet The Team

The success of any organization depends largely on its people. IIDT is supported by a highly knowledgeable and experienced internal team with diverse academic and professional backgrounds. The following personnel represent the pioneers and the backbone of IIDT, driving its vision and operations forward.

Chairman

Avanthi Jayatilake

An Institution and Management Specialist brings in much invaluable expertise and professionalism gained through his over 30-year career experience in public, private, and international organizations. He started as an SLAS Officer in 1980 and served in many important positions in government agencies, including the Ministry of Planning, CEA, and the Ministry of Environment. In 1991, he was employed by the International Development (USAID), as a Management Specialist and was later appointed as the mission Environmental Officer to look after the environmental aspects of all projects supported by the USAID. He has undertaken many consultancy assignments in environmental management and institutional development in many countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Oman, Solomon Islands, and Canada. He had been instrumental in setting up successful business corporations in several service sectors related to consultancy, logistics, and banking sectors locally and abroad.

Director

Manitha Weerasuriya, PhD

Dr. Manitha Weerasuriya is a Working Director of the International Institute for Development Transformation (IIDT). He was the Managing Director of IIDT since its inception in 2009 to 2021, CEO EML Consultants, CEO of Nikini Automation Systems (Pvt) Ltd, Lecturer at the City University of New York and Assistant Soil Chemist at the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka. Dr Weerasuriya obtained his PhD in Environmental Biology and a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree in Biology from the City University of New York. He obtained his MPhil in Botany and BSc in Agriculture from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. He has received several awards, fellowships, and grants during his academic career. He has extensive experience in Environment and Social Management System (ESMS) integration and training for Financial Institutions. His expertise in other areas of training includes local governance capacity building, conducted through the USAID-funded Supporting Regional Governance, Transparent and Accountable Local Governance, and Good Urban Governance of South Asia programs. In addition, his experience covers areas of Agriculture, Remote Sensing, MSME & SME Development, Social Research, and Surveys.

Chief Executive Officer

Anura Dissanayake, PhD

Dr. Dissanayake is a distinguished expert in participatory rural development and agricultural extension, bringing decades of experience across research, policy, management, and advisory roles in both national and international initiatives. He has played a pivotal role in the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of development programmes, leading multidisciplinary teams and promoting data-driven, inclusive approaches to knowledge sharing and community engagement. Throughout his career, he has held several key leadership positions, including Chairman of the Thurusaviya Fund and Additional Director of the nationally recognized Gemidiriya Project. His work has significantly contributed to strengthening smallholder livelihoods and advancing rural development in Sri Lanka. With over 70 research publications, a PhD from the University of Aberdeen, and a strong academic foundation in agriculture from the University of Peradeniya, Dr. Dissanayake is widely respected for his contributions to research, innovation, and effective technology transfer, as well as for building strong, collaborative networks across the agricultural sector.

Advisory Pannel

Prof. Gamini Senanayake

Consultant - Agriculture & Policy Research

Rated 5 out of 5

Prof. Gamini Senanayake is a distinguished academic, policy specialist, and development advisor with over 45 years of experience in higher education, agriculture, and environmental management. He holds a PhD in Plant Science from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, and a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Peradeniya. In recognition of his contributions to national development, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) by Rajarata University in 2023.

He has served in several high-level national roles, including Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka on Agriculture and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy. He also chaired the Expert Committee on Agricultural Modernization Policy and contributed to national initiatives in sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and higher education governance. As Vice Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna and SANASA Campus, he provided strong leadership in institutional development and academic excellence.

Internationally, Prof. Senenayake has worked with Leading organizations such as FAO, IFAD, DANIDA, UNEP-GEF, and IFS, with professional experience in Denmark, the UK, Japan and China. His consultancy work covers agricultural modernization, rural development, water resource management, and investment planning.

An accomplished researcher, he has led several internationally funded projects in biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use. His achievements have been recognized with national and international awards, including the President’s Research Award and the WISE Education Leadership Award.

Rated 5 out of 5

Dr. P B Dharmasena is an environmental and agricultural expert with over 40 years of experience in ecosystems, watershed management, irrigation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land management. He holds a PhD, in Geography from the university of Peradeniya, with postgraduate training in Agricultural Engineering and Soil Science from Sri Lanka and internationally.

He has served in senior roles at the Department of Agriculture and the University of Peradeniya and Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, and is currently a freelance consultant for leading organizations such as FAO, UNDP, UNEP, IUCN, ADB, and the World Bank. His expertise includes participatory land-use planning, climate change adaptation and mitigation, tank cascade system restoration, and water resource management.

Dr. Dharmasena has contributed to major national and international initiatives, including the development of Sri Lanka’s National Water Resource Policy and the Carbon Zero 2050 Road Map. His work focuses on integrating scientific knowledge with community-based approaches to enhance sustainability and resilience.

He has an extensive publication record and is a recognized contributor to research and policy in sustainable agriculture and environmental management. He is a recipient of the “Researcher of the Year 2004” award from the Department of Agriculture and the lifetime award of ‘Swarnabhimani’ from Gampaha Wickramarachchi University for Indigenous Medicine in 2026.

Dr. P B Dharmasena

Consultant - Climate Change

Dr. Wasana Wijesuriya

Statistician, Data Analyst and Survey Designer

Rated 5 out of 5

Dr. Wasana Wijesuriya obtained her B.Sc. in Agriculture from the University of Ruhuna and her M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Biostatistics from the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.

She joined the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka (RRISL) in 1991 as an Assistant Biometrician and later served as Principal Research Officer (Biometry) for over 32 years.

Her research focuses on the development and application of statistical methods, as well as socio-economic and climate change studies. She contributed to the Sri Lanka Rubber Master Plan by developing data management models and the Rubber Sector Information and Dissemination Strategy.

Dr. Wijesuriya has published over 150 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and technical publications, with research spanning biostatistics, socio-economics, climate change, and natural resource management. She received the prestigious IRRDB–Rothamsted International Fellowship and the President's Scholarship for Mathematical Programming. She also served as Liaison Officer of the Socio-Economic Specialist Group of the International Rubber Research and Development Board (IRRDB).

She has participated in research projects funded by organizations including the EU, APN, UNDP, FAO, ADB, NSF, NRC, and CEPA, and has worked as a consultant for RDC, EML, and IIDT. Her international research experience includes assignments and technical visits to Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Nepal, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Côte d'Ivoire, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Rated 5 out of 5

Mr. Upul Senanayake is a highly experienced business consultant and trainer with over 15 years of expertise in advisory, research, and SME capacity building. He works closely with SMEs, development programs, and private sector clients to design practical business strategies, financial models, and investment solutions.

He has contributed to projects with leading organizations including United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Bank-supported initiatives, and USAID programs. His work covers climate finance, biodiversity investment, agri-food value chains, and institutional strengthening.

Upul brings strong expertise in financial modelling, business valuation, and investment structuring, including green and sustainable finance frameworks aligned with global standards. He also leads survey-based research and field studies, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to generate actionable insights.

He is a Registered Investment Adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka and is currently pursuing a PhD in Management. His work focuses on delivering practical, results-oriented solutions that support sustainable business growth and development impact.

Mr. Upul Senanayake

Business Consultant and Trainer