OPA HISTORY

The representatives of leading professional Organisations  and certain eminent professionals have met at the PSEU Headquarters   at 533/3, Galle Road, Colombo on 5^th Dec. 1974 , at the invitation of ASTW , and resolved to form the Organization of Professional Associations of  Sri Lanka. A Steering Committee consisting of representatives of several professional bodies had been appointed to draft the Constitution and to take such other steps necessary to form the organization. The Steering Committee had decided on the basic principles that should be embodied in the constitution and had appointed a Constitution Drafting Committee. The drafting Committee had circulated the Draft Constitution among members of the Steering Committee and among other Associations not represented in the Steering Committee for their observations and suggestions. Their observations and suggestions had been included and the amended Constitution had been accepted by representatives of Professional Associations on the 29^th April 1975. They had empowered the Drafting Committee to convene the inaugural meeting of the General Forum and take steps to elect the first Office Bearers and the first Executive Committee.

Today the OPA is in its 34^th year and is recognized as the organization representing major professions in the country. It had its 1^st Annual Sessions in 1988 on the theme ‘Sri Lanka in 2015” and so far has held 24 Annual Sessions. Generally the Annual Sessions are organized by a Committee headed by the President Elect.
 

There are 42 Member Associations, with a total membership of about 36000 professionals.

The Professional Centre has about 1000 Center Members.
 

The General Forum is the principal policy making body, while the Executive Council carries out the objectives of the organization by making rules and regulations for the functioning of the organization.
 

The Executive Council works through  several standing and project  committees.
 

The OPA has also provided office space within the building to several Member Associtions .
 

OPA holds regular seminars and lectures for members and the public, and assists the government through Member Associations, when ever the govt. consults it. It also has regular dialogue with political parties, on important issues.The 17^th Amendment to the Constitution to establish the Constitutional Council, was an important Act, that originated from the OPA.