Lasantha Madushani Happawana Withanage
No.921, Millennium City, Zone 03, Ahturugiriya
Summary
Attorney-at-Law and Legal Expert with 12 years of experience in regulatory compliance, legal advisory, and risk management. Extensive expertise in contract management, corporate compliance, and healthcare regulatory frameworks. Including 7 years of experience in legal program management within international development. Proven ability to interpret and apply complex regulations, including HIPAA compliance, state-specific licensing laws, and corporate governance. Strong analytical, project management, and communication skills.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Officer – CSO Advocacy, Research, and Compliance
The Asia Foundation
04.2023 - 02.2025
- Bolstering Civil Society Program (USAID-Funded)
- Lead grant administration, project implementation ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results and compliance oversight
- Manage regulatory requirements for partner organizations, ensuring adherence to legal frameworks
- Advise on governance policies and compliance mechanisms
- Managed complex projects from inception to completion,
Project Legal Coordinator
Environmental Foundation Limited
10.2021 - 04.2023
- Led the gap analysis and development of a recommendation report on illegal wildlife trafficking while managing capacity-building initiatives, awareness workshops, stakeholder engagement, and legal research to strengthen enforcement and legal frameworks. [UK Darwin Initiative funded and USA INL funded projects]
Head of Legal
Environmental Foundation (Guarantee) Ltd
06.2018 - 04.2023
- Managed legal compliance across multiple entities, including corporate governance and risk assessment
- Advised on regulatory compliance, drafting and reviewing MOUs, NDAs, and commercial agreements
- Conducted due diligence on corporate legal obligations and supervised policy adherence
- Continuously monitored changes in laws and regulations, ensuring timely updates to company policies and procedures to maintain compliance.
Project Legal Expert
Envionmental Foundation Limited
12.2021 - 12.2022
- Provided (Legal) technical support for the project including supervise and finalized the gap analysis and recommendation report of Marine Protected Areas of Sri Lanka and conduct legal awareness raising workshops for public officers and community
Legal Officer
AT Group of Companies
11.2015 - 06.2018
- Company's legal matters overview including Tanyo Medical Pvt and AESDAN Pty.
- Ensured compliance with state-specific licensing and regulatory requirements
- Drafted and reviewed international commercial agreements, arbitration procedures, and compliance policies
- Provided legal advisory on labour laws, commercial contracts, and risk mitigation strategies
- Provided legal support in the development and execution of strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and other collaborative arrangements.
- Conducted comprehensive research to support legal proceedings, formulate defenses and initiate legal action.
Assistant Manager – Legal
Deshodaya Development Finance Company Limited
07.2013 - 04.2015
- Managed regulatory requirements, contract drafting, and risk management
- Ensured compliance with financial regulations and corporate governance
Education
Master of Development Studies - Economic ,Social Development International Trade
University of Colombo
07-2025
Attorney-at-Law - First Class Honours
Sri Lanka Law College
12-2012
Bachelor of Laws - Second Class Honours
University of Colombo
09-2011
Foundation Course in Human Resources Management -
National Institute of Business Management
09-2010
Skills
- HIPAA
- Corporate governance
- Drafting agreements
- Dispute resolution
- Compliance policies
- Legal program management
- Stakeholder coordination
- Legal frameworks
- Governance policies
- Risk assessment
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Legal documentation
- Data analysis
- Research legislation
- Vulnerability assessment
- Budgeting and financial management
Languages
English
Full Professional
Sinhalees
Native or Bilingual
Confirmation
I hereby confirm that the information mentioned earlier is true and correct to the best of my knowledge,
February 11,2025,
Lasantha Withanage
Timeline
Program Officer – CSO Advocacy, Research, and Compliance
The Asia Foundation
04.2023 - 02.2025
Project Legal Expert
Envionmental Foundation Limited
12.2021 - 12.2022
Project Legal Coordinator
Environmental Foundation Limited
10.2021 - 04.2023
Head of Legal
Environmental Foundation (Guarantee) Ltd
06.2018 - 04.2023
Legal Officer
AT Group of Companies
11.2015 - 06.2018
Assistant Manager – Legal
Deshodaya Development Finance Company Limited
07.2013 - 04.2015
Master of Development Studies - Economic ,Social Development International Trade
University of Colombo
Attorney-at-Law - First Class Honours
Sri Lanka Law College
Bachelor of Laws - Second Class Honours
University of Colombo
Foundation Course in Human Resources Management -
National Institute of Business Management
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