Draft:Keerthie Wickramaratne

Keerthie Wickramaratne
කීර්ති වික්‍රමරත්න கீர்த்தி விக்கிரமரத்ன
Keerthie Wickramaratne
Candidate for 9th President of Sri Lanka
Incumbent
Assumed office 21 Sep 2024
Preceded by	Ranil Wickremesinghe
Current
Chairman	Sakura Graphite (PVT) Ltd.
Managing Partner	Blue Bay Minerals International (PVT) Ltd
Chairman	Human to Human Foundation
Chairman	Vijayagrahee Jathika Sanvidanaya
Board Member	Public Service Commission-CP
Personal details
Born	(1963-04-24) 24 April 1963 Rathnapura, Sri Lanka
Political party	Ape Janabala Party
Other political affiliations	Lanka Sama Samaja Party
Spouse	Thilini Wijerathne
Children	Visini Wickramaratne Ravija Wickramaratne
Parents	S Wickramaratne Mrs Ruby Sumana Attapattu
Residence	Kandy
Alma mater	Baptist College,Rathnapura Sivali College,Rathnapura Dharmapala Vidyalaya St. Peter's College, Colombo Technische Universität Berlin
Profession	Engineer

Keerthie Wickramaratne Born as the second male child of five siblings to late Mr. S. Wickramaratne and late Mrs. Ruby Sumana Attapattu, I was brought up in Ketandola, Rathnapura district in Sabaragamuwa province. My father late Mr. S. Wickramaratne was from a very prominent family in Waga, Avissawella. He worked as a civil servant at the Rubber Department and performed his service in the capacity of Chief Advisory Officer. My mother late Mrs. Ruby Sumana Attapattu was brought up in Weedagama, Bandaragama and hails from the historical Weedaagama Indigenous medical family.

Early life and education

Born on 24 April 1963 in Rathnapura Wickramaratne was educated at the Baptist College, Rathnapura(primary), Sivali College, Rathnapura, Dharmapala Vidyalaya, St. Peter's College, Colombo(A/L) 1986 Wickramaratne entered the Technische Universität Berlin 1987-1992 BSc- Engineering degree Then 1992 -1996 MSc - Process Engineering and MSc - Energy Engineering. Followed a Gem and Jewelry course Sri Lanka Gem Cooperation. Followed German Language Courses 1/2/3 Goethe institute- Colombo 07.

Professional experience

The Chairman - Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (2015 November- 2018 November) (Minister of Power & Renewable Energy 2015-2019) The duties were carried out as an honorary service without getting any salary, vehicles or other benefits merely to give my knowledge and skills to the development of the country since imports of Energy is the biggest dollar cash outflow of our Country.

Projects initiated

Battle for solar

Initiated a programme called “ Soorya Bala Sangraamaya” to equip 1 million houses with solar power and during my tenure of 3 years to install at least 1000 MW of solar to the National grid although I was able to install only 300+ MW of solar due to misinterpretation of the Legal system. However, by now due to my initiative nearly 1000MW of Solar Power systems installed and annually reduces an emission of nearly 1,500,000 tons of Carbon Dioxide to the atmosphere and saves about 400,000,000 (400 million) liters of fuel which is a saving of approximately Rs.100, 000,000,000 (100 Billion) to the Sri Lankan economy annually. Battle for solar project won a special Award at a Renewable Energy Conference held in India, (Founding conference international Solar alliance-2018) where representatives from 13 countries were chaired by the Prime Minister of India Hon. N. Modi and the President of France, Hon. Emanuel Macron. The Award was received by HE the Sri Lankan President Hon. M. Sirisena and a special loan of 100,000,000 USD (100 million USD) was also granted by them to develop this project further. Another special loan of 50,000,000 USD (50 million USD) was granted by the Asian Development Bank to develop the said project as well.

Green Energy championship

This was initiated with the collaboration of the German Embassy in Sri Lanka and GIZ to promote awareness of the renewable energy development and energy saving in the country.

Replacement of Incandescent bulbs and CFL bulbs with LED bulbs

This project was introduced to reduce 300 megawatts of critical energy usage in the night peek. With this replacement, at least 80% of energy could be saved.

Battle for Wind Power

This was initiated during the latter part of my tenure with the intention of producing 300 megawatts of wind energy. This was introduced for private small-scale investments.

Promotion of Hydro power

Due to misleading information and the influence of the thermal lobby new Mini-Hydro power projects were to banned. However, I was able to prove the importance and the effects of hydro power and was able to keep the registered projects alive which could provide another 300 MW in addition to the existing 340 MW of mini Hydro. This additional 300 MW of hydro could be installed within 2-3 years and that could save around Rs. 80 Billion.

Joint venture agreement with TUV Rehinland, Germany and Sustainable Energy Authority Sri Lanka

A joint venture Agreement was signed for the future technical collaborations between SEA and TUV-Rehinland so that we can get assistance in all kinds of technical matters related to all industries. Even a Grid study was proposed to do at low cost and I was promised few thousands of highly paid jobs for retiring electrical Engineers by them.

Industrial Background

Sakura Graphite Pvt. Ltd

Founder/Chairman (From 2009 up to date) This is a joint venture company between Sri Lanka and Germany with an investment of about 12,000,000 US$ (12 million US$). This company does operate the Ragedara Graphite Mine which was the world’s biggest mine before the Second World War. We do mine, process and export Graphite to USA, Japan, Germany, Korea and England etc. We produce highest grade Graphene and conductive Graphite.

Blue Bay Minerals International Pvt. Ltd. (100 million US in 3 steps)

This is a BOI approved joint venture project between Taiwan and Sri Lanka. This company was established to manufacture Solar cells for the first time in Sri Lanka with a capacity of 50 MW Solar cells per year. The company has an investment of about 6,000,000 US$. This company mines, processes and exports quartz to South-Korea, Japan, Germany and Taiwan. We have few Quartz quarry sites in Badulla, Balangoda, Galaha and Nawalapitiya areas

Tinyland Tea Factory

He have a good knowledge about the Tea Industry and Tea market in the world where He was exporting Bulk and Value added Tea to Germany, Turkey and Eastern Europe. He developed energy saving withering trough system and a turbo system to reduce firewood consumption

Nobel Gems Pvt. Ltd

The company exported gems from Sri Lanka to high end markets in Germany and Europe and held trade fairs and private exhibitions to promote gem and jewelry business in Sri Lanka.

Consultant Engineer

He affiliated as a Consultant Engineer for the German Industry

1. Dr. Gunther Kannert, Innovation Consultation-Berlin, Germany from 1997-up to date
2. GHL Berate Grouppe- Berlin, Germany, 1998-2010.

Contributions to the Sri Lankan economy

• Facilitated a 500, 000,000 USD (500 million USD)Bond Issue for the Bank of Ceylon from the United Bank of Switzerland (UBS)at 4.3% interest rate in 2012/13 which was the lowest interest rate achieved for a bond issue up to date.
• Created more than 250 job opportunities for professionals, skilled and unskilled labors in mining, processing and value adding industries in the fields of quartz, graphite and Gems.
• Through the Battle for Solar project more than 300 new companies were formed and nearly 3000 job opportunities were created
• Battle for Solar project saves about Rs.100, 000 million annually to the Sri Lankan economy.
• Yearly about USD 2 million worth export income is created.
• By developing value added Graphite, Graphene, Conductive Graphite, Super Capacitors, Batteries etc. lot of wealth for the future is created

Social services

1. 11 Acre Land was reserved and blocked out to donate to the Disabled soldiers in Kinchigune Village, Belihuloya.
2. 18 Acre land was donated to Buddha_Saasana at Laymastota, Koslanda to develop a meditation center.
3. Donated more than Rs.6 million worth timber for the process of making bricks for the construction of Sanda-Hiru Seya.
4. Organize Dansala which take place on every full moon Poya day in front of the Temple of the tooth relic Kandy, since the end of the war in 2009 up to date continuously.
5. Donated water-coolers to the Temple of the tooth, Jethawane-Viharaya, Ruwanwellimaha seya.
6. Donated a drinking hot water system to Adam’s peak.
7. Donated Kotha & Quartz pinnacles to the following temples
   

Ruby monastery in Burma
Sankapala Viharaya, Embilipitiya
Usgala Rajamaha viharaya, Thanamalvila
Gatambe Diyakapanathota Temple, Kandy
Nildandahinna new temple, Medamahanuwara
Galpalama viharaya, Kandapola Nuweraeliya
Vajirarame viharaya, Pelwadiya Rathnapura
Pareigama purana viharaya, Iththapana
Buddhist University, Kelaniya
Bathalawatta viharaya, Theldeniya

1. Secret Relics were donated to the following temples by me
   

Vajirarama Viharaya,Palwadiya Rathnapura
Nildhandahinna Viharaya, Medamahanuwara
Galpaalama Viharaya, Kadhapola-Nuwara Eliya

1. A 60ft new Stupa will be built in Sri Jinendraramaya Viharaya, Galaha
2. Distributed 1,000 Computers to students in Kandy, Kurunegala, Kegalle, Matara & Monaragala Districts.
3. Distributed stationery and sports equipment to under privileged schools in Kandy, Wellawaya & Rathnapura districts.
4. Imported and distributed medical equipment and spectacles to hospitals in Rathnapura, Pellmadulla and Embilipitiya and many rural areas of the country for last few decades.
5. Funded and carried out Tree planting campaign in collaboration with the Sri Lankan army & Central Environmental Authority.
6. Donated capital to develop Bio farming and indigenous medical fields
7. I initiated a Bio farming project at the premises of the Temple of the tooth relic to supply continuously vegetable for the pujas to the secret tooth relic. (SIBA Premises at Pallekelle)
8. Formed a civil organization for the welfare of the disabled soldiers called ‘Ranawiru Sahyogitha Ekamuthuwa’.

Special achievements

• During my time at the Berlin Technical University I developed a special ceramic metal joint which could stand temperatures well over 800 degrees Celsius which was used to develop a super turbo charger for Automobile Industry which saves up to 30% of energy.
• He introduced the fantasy designs for the very traditional Gem cutting industry in Sri Lanka and exported to Germany and Europe which became very popular there at that time in early nineties and some of them were patented later
• He was able to get the Lowest interest rate (less than 5%) for an international Bond issue (Bank of Ceylon for 500 Million US$) in Sri Lanka.
• Formed the first private mineral exploration company in Sri Lanka called “Resexplore Pvt. Ltd.” Which explored many verities of minerals such as Iron, Titanium, Nickel, Thorium, Garnet sand, Quartz, Graphite, Gold etc. and we also had obtained exploration licenses for the relevant areas. I started it because the mineral industry can change the economy of this country very easily.
• Restarted the Ragedare Graphite mine which was shut down for many decades. This was world’s biggest Graphite mine before the Second World War. Before I acquired this mine there was no big demand for graphite but I believed in graphite and I was proved correct because soon after acquiring the mine the Nobel prize was awarded for the discovery of graphene. After acquiring the Ragedara Mine I participated in many international Graphite conferences and distributed free samples and inform most of the Global Graphite Players about the qualities of Sri Lankan Graphite at a time when they were unaware of Sri Lankan Graphite.
• The Graphene developed with the raw material from Ragedara Graphite mine became by far the best Graphene in all categories through a test that was conducted worldwide by National University of Singapore with a panel of judges which included a Nobel Prize winner for the discovery of Graphene
• When I was the chairman at The Sustainable Energy Authority I initiated and facilitated signing of an MOU between Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs & Energy of Germany and Ministry of Power & Renewable Energy of Sri Lanka to develop the Renewable Energy sector in Sri Lanka

International Collaborations

• ASUS Computers of Taiwan
• Thyssen-Krupp of Germany
• Fuji Graphite of Japan
• Hitachi Corporation of Japan
• Asbury Graphite of USA
• Graphexel Limited of UK

Political involvements

While He was working as the chairman of the Sustainable Energy Authority, he gained firsthand experience about how some unethical political powers can bring the downfall of the country and its economy. The main reason for that is negative influence of different lobbies plan to destroy the future of the country. The best example is the hindrance brought for the Battle for Solar program and the promotion of costly and polluting diesel power. With the intention of bringing more patriotic politicians to the governing system of Sri Lanka, I formed Vijayagrahee National Organization (a group of civil organizations) which consists of Priests, academics, professionals, Soldiers and many other patriotic organizations. During the recent Presidential Election campaign, the Vijayagrahee National Organization carried out many programmes such as TV interviews, discussions, seminars, wrote paper articles & addressing at temples and other gatherings to promote His Excellency the present president’s forward thinking manifesto which can bring lasting security, Peace and the Prosperity to the country.