A. S. P. Liyanage

A.S.P. Liyanage
Born
Colombo Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
Other namesP.D.P.S. Anura Liyanage
EducationNalanda College Colombo
Occupation(s)Businessman, diplomat
Known for
  • Sri Lankan ambassador for Qatar
  • Founder and CEO, ASP Group
  • Television program A.S.P Paduru Partiya
Political partySri Lanka Labour Party
ChildrenKasuni Liyanage and Githmi Liyanage
Notes
former Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Nigeria

Panagoda Don Prince Solomon Anura Liyanage (a.k.a. A.S.P. Liyanage) is a Sri Lankan businessman, television and film producer and politician. On 10 March 2017, he was appointed as the Sri Lankan ambassador for Qatar.[1]

Liyanage received his education at Nalanda College Colombo[2] and began teaching, publishing a number of textbooks.[3] In 1989, he established the ASP Group, a private real estate company, and served as its chairman and managing director.[4][5] Liyanage was a Millennium Development Ambassador to the People's Summit during the 34th G8 summit in Hokkaido, Japan in 2008,[6] and to the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva in 2007.[7][8][9] Liyanage ran advertisements congratulating US President Barack Obama before his victory in the 2008 United States presidential election.[10]

Liyanage conducted[clarification needed] the popular Sri Lankan celebrity TV program A.S.P Paduru Partiya for 7 years. He also produced television and film adaptations of Suseema.[11]

Liyanage ran as a candidate for President of Sri Lanka in 2010, 2015 and 2019, and is planning to run again in 2024.[12][13] In the 2010 election, he achieved a distant third place in preferential voting in the commercial capital of Colombo.[3] However, like a number of minor candidates, Liyanage was entered as a "dummy candidate" to maximize benefits for a frontrunner, namely incumbent president Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the election laws.[14] Between the elections, Liyanage was appointed Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Nigeria.[3][15][16]

Liyanage has two daughters.[2]

  1. ^ Sanjeewa, Darshana (10 March 2017). "A.S.P. Liyanage appointed envoy to Qatar". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Samaye Piya to President". The Nation on Sunday. Sri Lanka. March 2008. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  3. ^ a b c "Liyanage appointed High Commissioner to Nigeria". nation.lk. 19 May 2013. Archived from the original on 10 December 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  4. ^ "A.S.P Group inaugurates special housing project at Kandana". The Nation on Sunday. Sri Lanka. 14 September 2008. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  5. ^ Samarasinghe, Sarashi (22 February 2009). "Investing in land better than money in bank". The Nation on Sunday. Sri Lanka. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  6. ^ "Sri Lankan Delegates at G-8 Peoples Summit 2008". The Nation on Sunday. Sri Lanka. 20 July 2008. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  7. ^ "Sri Lankan delegates meet UN Secretary General". The Nation on Sunday. Sri Lanka. 5 August 2007. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  8. ^ Jeffery, Simon (1 November 2004). "Too close to call". Guardian. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  9. ^ Kirinde, Chandani (7 November 2004). "A brave step into the unknown that comes good". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  10. ^ Fazlulhaq, Nadia; Kotelawala, Himal (5 November 2008). "Sri Lanka's response to Obama's victory". Sri Lanka Guardian. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  11. ^ Fernando, Susitha R. (5 July 2009). "'Suseema' in cinema". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  12. ^ Kirinde, Chandani (20 December 2009). "22 in the fray, but only two stars". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  13. ^ "Four candidates place cash deposits for Sri Lanka's presidential election". EconomyNext. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  14. ^ "UPFA, NDF all set for do-or-die battle on Jan. 8". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 7 December 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  15. ^ New SL High Commissioner to Nigeria Archived 10 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ Mr. A.S.P. Liyanage - nominated as High Commissioner to Nigeria