EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mr. Thilakaratne is a highly experienced development leader with over 30 years of dedicated service in national and international non-governmental organizations across Sri Lanka and South Asia. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Sri Lanka Centre for Development Facilitation (SLCDF), where he leads the organization’s mission to strengthen civil society structures, promote inclusive governance, and facilitate sustainable, community-led development.
Throughout his career, Mr. Thilakaratne has held senior leadership positions at ChildFund International in both Sri Lanka and India. In these roles, he successfully steered program strategy, built strong partnerships, managed complex operations, and oversaw large-scale development initiatives with regional impact. His work has focused on empowering communities, enhancing NGO capacity, improving program impact, and ensuring strong donor engagement.
Renowned for his strategic thinking and people-centered leadership style, he empowers teams to make informed decisions and take ownership of outcomes, while cultivating a culture of clarity, collaboration, and shared purpose. He has led large multi-partner initiatives, inspired diverse teams, and consistently delivered sustainable results in dynamic and challenging contexts.
Mr. K.M. Thilakaratne holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. His leadership at SLCDF continues to strengthen the organization’s legacy of promoting grassroots empowerment and participatory development across Sri Lanka.

“Leadership is about empowering people with clarity, purpose, and a shared commitment to sustainable change.”