Kandy landscape with Temple of the Tooth
Meet the People Behind AFT

Our Team

A dedicated group of leaders, volunteers, and partners united by a single mission — serving the children and elders of Sri Lanka with dignity and compassion.

AFT Kids & Elders is built on the passion and expertise of individuals from around the world — scientists, business leaders, educators, and community volunteers. Together, we bring decades of experience in healthcare, finance, law, education, and social work to serve the communities of Kandy and beyond.

Board of Directors

Our leadership resides and operates locally in Kandy, ensuring every initiative is culturally resonant and directly impactful.

View All Members
Dr. Sumith A. Kularatne, PhD

Dr. Sumith A. Kularatne, PhD

Founder, AFT Kids & Elders

Executive Vice President of R&D, On Target Laboratories

Timothy Biro, MBA, RPh

Timothy Biro, MBA, RPh

Board Member, AFT Kids & Elders

Chief Operating Officer, On Target Laboratories

Malaika Tyson, Ph.D., J.D.

Malaika Tyson, Ph.D., J.D.

Board Member, AFT Kids & Elders

Shareholder, McAndrews | Intellectual Property Strategist

Aloka B Wijayawardhana, MBA

Aloka B Wijayawardhana, MBA

Board Member, AFT Kids & Elders

Chartered Global Management Accountant

Dr. Sumith A. Kularatne, PhD

Dr. Sumith A. Kularatne, PhD

Executive Vice President of R&D, On Target Laboratories

Serial entrepreneur, scientist, and philanthropist with pioneering expertise in drug design and development. Leads precision medicine programs and image-guided surgery research.

Areas of Expertise

Drug Design & Development Antibody-Drug Conjugates Small Molecule Therapeutics Precision Medicine

Key Achievements

3
FDA Approved Drugs
8
Clinical Trials
250+
Patents
100+
Publications

Education & Training

  • Postdoc: The Scripps Research Institute (Molecular Biology & Biomedicine) - Mentored by Dr. Peter G. Schultz
  • PhD: Purdue University (Medicinal/Organic Chemistry) - Mentored by Dr. Philip S. Low
  • Graduate Research: Purdue University

Awards & Recognition

  • 🏆 Outstanding Young Scientist Award in Drug Discovery Sciences (2023)
  • 🏆 SBIR Grant Awards for NSCLC Research (2014, 2016, 2018)
  • 🏆 Elevate Ventures Award for Image-Guided Surgery Research (2018)
  • 🏆 AAPS Postdoctoral Fellow Award (2012)

Honorary Societies

Phi Kappa Phi National Society of Collegiate Scholars Beta Phi Upsilon
"True progress is measured not only by scientific advancement, but by how we uplift those left behind."

— Dr. Sumith A. Kularatne

Timothy Biro, MBA, RPh

Timothy Biro, MBA, RPh

Chief Operating Officer, On Target Laboratories

Entrepreneurial leader with extensive experience in medical device, pharmaceutical industry, and venture capital. Former Co-Founder and CEO of multiple companies.

Areas of Expertise

Venture Capital Pharmaceutical Management Medical Devices Entrepreneurship

Education & Training

  • MBA (Finance & Marketing) - Wharton School of Business
  • BS in Pharmacy - Temple University (Fellow)
  • BS in Microbiology - Pennsylvania State University

Professional Experience

  • Co-Founder & CEO - SpineMatrix
  • Co-Founder & CEO - Therox Pharmaceuticals
  • CEO - OncoImmune
  • Founder & Managing Partner - Ohio Innovation Fund
  • Partner - Reservoir Venture Partners
  • Partner - Brantley Venture Partners
  • Management Positions - Merck
Malaika Tyson, Ph.D., J.D.

Malaika Tyson, Ph.D., J.D.

Shareholder, McAndrews | Intellectual Property Strategist

Corporate intellectual property and patent protection strategist. Specializes in integrated approaches to strategic IP management for innovative companies.

Areas of Expertise

Patent Prosecution IP Portfolio Management Corporate IP Strategy Trademark Protection

Education & Training

  • J.D. - The University of Chicago Law School
  • Ph.D. in Chemistry (Analytical) - Purdue University
  • Senior R&D Scientist - MilliporeSigma Biotechnology

Leadership & Service

  • Chair - ABA-IPL International Patent Laws Committee
  • Co-Chair - AIPLA's USPTO Relations Subcommittee
  • Vice President (Chicago) - Coalition of Women's Initiatives in Law
  • Board Member - Chicago Committee
  • Founding Member - Emerging Leaders Council of Bottom Line

Honorary Societies

40 Under Forty (2016) Illinois Rising Star - Intellectual Property Law
Aloka B Wijayawardhana, MBA

Aloka B Wijayawardhana, MBA

Chartered Global Management Accountant

Over 20 years of international experience in finance and accounting across multiple industries including oil & gas, technology, healthcare, and financial services.

Areas of Expertise

Financial Management Strategic Planning Global Operations Non-profit Finance

Education & Training

  • MBA - University of Bradford, UK
  • Member - Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK

Industries Served

Oil & Gas Construction Information Technology Hardware & Software Telecommunications Manufacturing Medical Equipment Manufacturing Investment Banking Financial Services

Community Service

  • ❤️ Finance Committee & Troop Leader - Girl Scouts of Gateway Council
  • ❤️ Mentor - Take Stock in Children Duval
  • ❤️ Meal Maker - Ronald McDonald House of Charities Jacksonville
Founding Chapter

The 92 Batch of Kingswood College

What began as a reunion among school friends evolved into something far greater. The 1992 graduating batch of Kingswood College, Kandy — scattered across the globe as engineers, doctors, scientists, and entrepreneurs — returned home with a shared purpose: to serve the community that shaped them.

Today, the 92 Batch forms the founding backbone of AFT Kids & Elders, contributing leadership, funding, and on‑ground presence to every program we run. Their commitment to "Per Angusta Ad Augusta" — through hardships to honours — lives on in every scholarship awarded, every elder visited, and every life transformed.

👨‍⚕️

Dr. Sumith Kularatne

Founder

👨‍🏫

R. Gunawardena

Education Lead

👩‍💼

N. Jayasuriya

Operations

👨‍🔧

S. Bandara

Field Coordinator

On the Ground

Volunteers & Field Staff

The heart of AFT — dedicated individuals working directly with children and elders every day.

👩‍🏫

Priyani Perera

Education Coordinator

Oversees scholarship distribution and after‑school tutoring programs across 12 villages.

👨‍⚕️

Dr. Chamila Rathnayake

Health Program Lead

Volunteer physician running mobile health clinics for elders in remote communities.

🏏

Nuwan Dissanayake

Sports Coordinator

Former cricketer leading youth sports programs and coaching clinics.

🤝

Samanthi Weerasinghe

Elder Care Coordinator

Leads the weekly elder visitation program and community integration events.

Global Supporters

International Volunteers

Passionate individuals from around the world who have traveled to Kandy to serve.

🇺🇸

Sarah & Mike Thompson

New York, USA

"We came to Sri Lanka as tourists and left as family. Teaching English at the AFT learning center was the highlight of our journey."

🇬🇧

James Whitmore

London, UK

"I spent three weeks helping with elder care visits. The gratitude I received changed my perspective on what matters in life."

🇦🇺

Priya Sharma

Melbourne, Australia

"As a Sri Lankan diaspora, volunteering with AFT allowed me to reconnect with my heritage while giving back to my motherland."

Strategic Guidance

Advisory Council

Experts providing strategic counsel on program development, partnerships, and impact measurement.

🎓

Prof. Amara Hewage

University of Peradeniya

Education policy specialist advising on scholarship and mentorship programs.

🏥

Dr. Nihal Fernando

Consultant Oncologist

Advisor on health programs and future cancer care initiatives.

Become Part of Our Story

Join Our Team

Whether you're in Sri Lanka or abroad, your skills and compassion can make a difference. From volunteering on the ground to supporting remotely, there's a place for you in the AFT family.