Alumnae honoured at Australian Alumni Excellence Awards

Don Sanjivani Clarinda Jayawardena (BA 2008)

Monash alumnae Don Sanjivani Clarinda Jayawardena (BA 2008) and Indrani Sugathadasa (MBA 1986) have been honoured at this year’s Australian Alumni Excellence Awards.

The annual awards, presented by the Australian Trade Commission in Colombo on 23 February, showcased Australia’s education excellence and recognised the achievements of alumni across a diverse range of fields.

Ms Jayawardena, recipient of the Australian Alumni Excellence Award, began her career in 2008 as an intern for the Clinton Foundation.

She is currently a Director of Indo Lanka Exports (Pvt) Ltd and Director to the Board of Lanka Milk Foods (CWE) PLC, a burgeoning company in Sri Lanka that distributes some of Sri Lanka’s best known dairy and beverage brands.

She is also a working Director to Lanka Milk Foods’ subsidiaries: Lanka Dairies (Pvt) Ltd, Ambewela Livestock Company Ltd, Pattipola Livestock Company Ltd and Ambewela Products (Pvt) Ltd.

In 2012 she was appointed a non-executive board member of Hatton National Bank PLC, one of the leading commercial banks in Sri Lanka.

She also serves on several of the bank’s sub committees including those governing assets and investment, procurement and credit. 

Ms Jayawardena said the award could not have been possible without the support of her family, friends and colleagues.

“I am filled with tears of happiness; this award was a moment I have been waiting for,” Ms Jayawardena said.

Indrani Sugathadasa (MBA 1986) (pictured right)

“It has given me the strength to embrace the future obstacles and challenges that I will encounter in my career.”

Ms Sugathadasa, honoured under the Development category, is the current Chairperson of the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka.

Ms Sugathadasa has worked in public administration for more than 30 years serving in different capacities in planning, youth affairs, women’s affairs, childhood development and tea and rubber plantation.

She has also served on the Board of Directors of several statutory bodies.