Nandasiri appointed Director of SOS Children’s Villages International

Nandasiri Ponnamperuma

Nandasiri Ponnamperuma, President of the National Board of SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka, was recently elected to the newly formed International Board of SOS Children’s Villages. 

Ponnamperuma’s appointment was made official during the 23rd Ordinary General Assembly of SOS Children’s Villages International, held recently in Vienna, Austria. 

Ponnamperuma will represent the Asian region alongside a second representative from Nepal. His appointment reflects SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka’s commitment to advancing child rights and protection on a broader scale. 

His appointment will contribute to ensuring long-term sustainability and accountability, overseeing executive leadership, and guiding future planning for the organisation. 

Bringing together delegates from SOS Children’s Villages’ member associations worldwide, the event highlighted potential reforms to ensure no child grows up alone. The Board comprises two representatives from each of the six global regions. Additionally, there is another appointed member from Austria in honour of the organization’s founding legacy. As the first International Board, it will serve as the organisation’s supervisory body, guiding its global mission to protect lives worldwide. 

In that capacity, it will assist the General Assembly in implementing strategic oversight and cross-border collaborationto support every child and young person without parental care or at risk of losing it in 138 countries and member associations. 

Ponnamperuma said, “As I step into this new role, my vision is to strengthen our global efforts so that every child, everywhere, can grow up with love, security, and hope for a brighter future. I invite everyone to continue supporting this noble mission and to encourage others to join us in making a lasting difference in the lives of children.”

Divakar Ratnadurai, National Director, SOS Children’s Villages, and Sri Lanka added, “This is a proud and significant milestone for SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka and Asia. Ponnamperuma’s election brings our national commitment to the global stage and reinforces our shared vision of a world where every child grows up in a loving family environment.”