The SLDF Team

Linda Speldewinde

Linda is the Founder of Sri Lanka Design Festival and Managing Director of The Academy of Design. In 2000, having spotted the need for design education in Sri Lanka, Linda founded the Academy of Design, a pioneering venture to provide undergraduate education in Design. The Academy aims to promote design as both a serious educational discipline and a dynamic profession in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Design Festival is one such initiative.

Nikhil Hirdaramani

Nikhil Hirdaramani is a Director of Hirdaramani Group and is SLDF’s board chairman for 2012. Hirdaramani Group was established in 1890 in Sri Lanka and today is one of the country’s largest apparel manufacturers and exports its garments to every corner of the world.

The Group has diversified and now has interest in the Leisure, Power, IT and Financial Service sectors.

Mr. Hirdaramani has a MBA from Imperial Collage, London, UK.

Mihiri de Silva

Having returned from UK with a Degree in Textile Technology from the University of Leeds, Mihiri had her initial exposure to the industry working at Speville M&W. There after she became was Head of Product Development and Design at MAS. She has most recently been Head of Design at Brandix. Mihiri was a part of the team directly involved in conceiving, launching and organizing Sri Lanka Design Festival.

Kumar Mirchandani

Kumar Mirchandani has been in the Fashion Industry for over 25 years. Having served on the Executive Committees of several Trade Associations over the years, he is currently the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association and on the Marketing Committee for the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF). He plays the Blues in his spare time.

Nilmini Jayasinghe

Nilmini is a Consultant for Sri Lanka Apparel, and a member of The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF). She has been associated with SLDF since its inception in 2009.

Rohantha Athukorala

Mr. Athukorala is the National Portfolio Development Manager for UNOPS.