Associate's For Stimulating Know How Sri Lanka

1. Profile - ASK 2016
Business
Development &
Facilitation
Strengthening
GG Mechanism
and stakeholders
Support poor and
vulnerable
communities
through CSR

2. Profile - ASK 2016
Associates for Stimulating Know how (ASK) Community Development / Business / Infrastructure
Investment Facilitation Company, a global consulting company based in Sri Lanka incorporated in
2016 as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act 2007 Reg Number PV 118348 .
It became operational in January 2011 as Limited Company. ASK's objective is to provide a wide
range of management consultancy services to the clients around the world.
ASK maintains a pool of staff and experts and operates by engaging local and expatriate
consultants. Both the payroll staff and retainers are renowned professionals in their respective
areas of specialization and a large number of them have experience of working overseas in multi-
national and multi-cultural teams.
ASK is deeply involved especially, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in port, power, energy,
economic zones, roads, etc. ASK is also involved in capacity building, institutional reforms, impact
assessment, performance management system, monitoring & evaluation of projects etc. with a
proven track record.
Basic Cooperate Data

3. Profile - ASK 2016
THE KEY
TO
SUCCESS
Dear Collaborators in progress / Readers,
ASKis more than 15 years old — and more full of life than ever. I can’t give you a secret recipe
for this success, but it is certainly based on a clear vision and strategy, which are geared towards
benefits to poor and vulnerable community development through CSR strategy. We have made it
our mission to offer business partners more than just business development facilitation, security
solutions — they should always get genuine added value from ASK. The addition of the “Beyond
Business” tagline to our logo shows how serious we are about this Cooperate Social
responsibility. In one word, this expresses our under- standing of our key role with Joint
Capacities: not just to provide associates with Business /security solutions but to help them
simplify their organization, improve efficiency, enable convenience, and more. For example, our
stimulating foreign investment systems help investors by ensuring fast and smooth flows while
simultaneously develop business ventures. Our innovative products, solutions and services are a
solid foundation, but they are not enough on their own. Which is why we seek personal, trusting,
long-term partnerships with all our associates from a one-man operation, to distribution
partners, and major global conglomerates this brochure will illustrate what ASK does, and exactly
what it can offer its Associates and Partners. We want to exceed your expectations its part of our
vision. I hope you enjoy reading the brochure and that you will be impressed with what we can
do!
Siyon De Alwis
Team Leader / Chairman
Associates for Stimulating Know how.

4. Profile - ASK 2016
W H O W E A R E
Associates for Stimulating Know how Company (Pvt) Ltd offers thoughtful investment solutions
for high net worth individuals and institutions. The Business division currently work with 12
Associates member companies and projection for 2017 is approximately $ 400 billion bespoke
investment strategies.
Our mission is to provide our associate members and clients with the highest quality of
customized service and performance through a culture of integrity, teamwork, excellence, and
innovation.
We believe our structure promotes excellence within our specialized investment teams by
combining the flexible and efficient environment of a multi-style investment manager with the
scale of resources offered by a leading INVESTMENT FIRM. Investment teams operate
independently while benefiting from advantages in risk management, research, and shared
expertise.

5. Profile - ASK 2016
Associates for Stimulating Know how is built on a legacy of boutique investment management
and entrepreneurship. The Company business division has unified a select group of investment
teams with a focus on performance and a mission to provide the highest quality of customized
service to member Associates and clients.
Together, these firms bring with them a rich history of service and performance tailored to
institutional, high net worth, and sub-advisory investors.
ASK was conceptualized by a group of young Human Resource Development professionals in the
year 2001, as a Volunteer Associates for Stimulating Know how (VASK) organization that would
work for the interests of marginalized communities. The vision of these professionals and
founder Mr. Siyon De Alwis was to form an institution focused on building the capacities of
various stakeholders in civil society for a more effective use of present day resources. This, it was
visualized, would be done by sensitizing and building the capacities of the various development
players on diverse social issues. ASK began to work actively from the year 2001 by reaching out to
Community Based Organizations (CBOs), NGOs, GOs, Ministries.
The beginning was humble yet ambitious, with no assured support, but a strong desire to make a
meaningful contribution in the lives of the people, and to earn a significant position for ASK as an
institution. The beginning was made with providing training support to NGOs and development
projects, and conducting evaluation and documentation assignments. These initiatives were
supported by CBOs and NGOs themselves, making ASK highly accountable towards them. ASK
consciously avoided approaching donors for meeting its financial requirements so as to maintain
an independence stance.
Some of our earliest clients were Caritas International country and Diocesan Partners in Sri Lanka
and all 24 Districts and Divisional Secretariats, Care International, World Vision, Agriculture
Extension Projects. Tsunami Victims and War Victims Rehabilitation Operations in the Country.
Today, the reach of ASK has expanded to cover NGOs across Sri Lanka as well as in countries of
India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal, and Thailand. Within Sri Lanka, ASK
has worked with NGOs on development projects in practically all the regions of the country,
including the North & East. The profile of NGOs with whom ASK has worked is also diverse,
ranging from service delivery to rights based organizations, as well as grassroots level
organizations to national and international organizations and investors with CSR strategy.

6. Profile - ASK 2016
Over the years ASK has realized the important of reaching out to other key players bearing a role
in the development of the society, including the Government, Development Aid agencies and the
Corporate sector through investments, so as to work with them on the mandate of creating
socially responsible development. Today ASK works actively with these stakeholders through its
Business dedicated and projects Divisions.
Today ASK is a capacity building, self-supporting, business development company (Pvt) Ltd
working nation-wide across Sri Lanka, as well as Internationally to promote the best interests of
marginalized groups and societies. ASK is unique in the sense that our reach ranges from the
grassroots to multilaterals, wherein we understand and share our perspectives from the local to
the global level. ASK is an open Company (Pvt) Ltd which has over the years established strong
credibility among its partner organizations.
We focus on the continuous enhancement of our own capacities, facilitating better engagement
with our partners, and to ensure that our work stays relevant at all times. We are known to work
with strong values, integrity, transparency, and accountability, providing customized and need-
specific inputs to our partners and target communities.
The mission and vision of ASK stem from the unflinching faith that we, as an organisation, have in
the human potential and capacity. We firmly believe that humans have the ability to create a
better world that is Just, Equitable, Peaceful and Secure.
We further believe that this better world will come about through collaborative efforts as against
confrontational stances of stakeholders, who will steadily rise above, with a broader world view
and understand one’s responsibility in the larger scheme of things. We have a clear realization
that this process will test the patience and perseverance of change agents like ASK and we are
prepared to stand the test. We are aware that there are many more individuals and organizations
like us, with whom we would be happy to meet and collaborate in order to achieve our shared
vision and goals.

7. Profile - ASK 2016
CLIENTS ASK delivers its services on all continents to a wide variety of clients in the field of
international cooperation. They include multi- and bilateral development organisations,
international and national non-governmental organisations, national and regional government
organisations, universities and higher education institutes, consulting firms and alliances of
different composition.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ASK the participatory and experiential learning principles incorporated in
all our services encompass fundamental values such as the interest and willingness to learn and
share ideas with others, the possibility to simplify complex matters and the fact that experience
and wisdom are available within networks, organisations and individuals. We reach consultancy
objectives by combining our professional knowledge and experience with those of our clients.
Often ASK thereby serves as facilitator in an interactive learning process, while at other moments
we contribute our technical expertise and guidance. The active involvement of our clients in
diagnosis, planning and change has the double benefit of mobilising commitment and making
optimal use of existing information and views. Working with our many, culturally diverse clients
we have learned what it takes to improve the performance of individuals, organisations and
networks. We wish to distinguish ourselves by the following characteristics:
Inclusiveness through working closely together with our clients and stakeholders, and
generally encouraging a participatory approach. This implies our focus on building lasting
relationships with clients and other stakeholders
Transparency, honesty and openness. We strive to address the real issues at stake, also
the sensitive ones, but always with respect. Inter-cultural sensitivity, excellent
communication skills and a sense of humour help us lift barriers.
Professional soundness in our work; creativity in the methods we use and the solutions
we recommend
Visual in capturing the essence of debates and options, crisp and clarifying in
summarising new agreements and outstanding issues while avoiding vague descriptions
or jargon
Up-to-date in new development trends, translating them into best practices, practical
tools and innovative services
Linking up with complementary know-how in substantive areas like: public health or
private sector development

8. Profile - ASK 2016
Vision & Mission - “Our World is about People”
All of ASK’s projects fit under our understanding of development, i.e. providing
facilitation to communities, leaders and investors, to fulfil ASK’s motto
“Country level impact through Community level action”.
At ASK we work with NGOs, bilateral and multilateral organisations, in our
quest to achieve and sustain visible equitable and inclusive socio-economic
development of the country our world is people and country.

9. Profile - ASK 2016
O U R P R I O R I T Y A R E A S
We specialize in offering transparent and accelerated options to secure investment and
project funding from 132 destinations and companies.
Through the Ministry of Finance / Commerce here in Sri Lanka, we (usually) work with
policy banks (Development Bank, ect) and top tier commercial banks and the top 10
listed state-owned companies who engage in large mega infrastructure project
opportunities.
b) The following types of projects are what investors and Companies contractors are
mainly interested in. They prefer to focus on Infrastructure, industrial and social welfare
projects. Some key sectors of interest are:
Service Sector
Telecommunication related services mainly to improve the quality by improving
speed coverage
Agriculture Sector
Improve productivity
Level of technology innovation
Access to international market
Develop quality seeds and plant materials and improve overall value addition with
agro zone for agro based industries and access to a fishing area
ASSOCIATES / INSTITUTIONS
Associates for Stimulating Know how is dedicated to providing the highest standards in client
service and satisfaction. We offer a range of traditional and non-traditional investment strategies
through specialized and balanced mandates. We work with endowments, foundations,
corporations, private and public funds and Taft-Hartley plans.
Our philosophy relies on a personalized approach, innovative investment solutions, as well as on
the highest possible standards of professionalism and integrity.

10. Profile - ASK 2016
Institutional Solutions
 Fixed Income
 Equity
 Non-traditional
Advisors and Family Offices
Our approach combines thoughtful investment processes with a premium service model.
We provide the flexibility of a boutique and pride ourselves on being a highly responsive resource
to wealth advisors, consultants and family offices.
 Direct access to investment professionals as well as marketing representatives.
 Comprehensive portfolio analysis.
 Efficient frontier and optimal portfolio analysis.
 Market and indices research.
 Customized pre- and post-tax reporting.
 Timely and thoughtful responses to questionnaires and INQUIRIES.
Further information on our unique investment strategies can be found here:
 Tax Efficient Fixed Income
 Taxable Fixed Income
 Equity
 Non-traditional
PRIVATE CLIENTS
Our portfolio managers work directly with clients and their financial intermediaries, attorneys,
and accountants to design custom portfolios to help them achieve their investment goals.
DIRECT CLIENT INVESTMENTS
Our Team
ASK Business Division & Management
Investment Management
Business Development

11. Profile - ASK 2016
Marketing
Operations, Technology & Control
Legal and Compliance
Equity
Fixed Income
Global Balanced
Non-traditional
VASK – Team for volunteer associates for stimulating know how
Our expertise comes from our team of multidisciplinary experienced professionals, with
academic backgrounds of Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Human rights, Development
Communication, Extension Education & Computer Applications. ASK is rich in national integrity
with its staff coming from various parts of the country like Colombo, Galle, Kandy & Kaluthara,
Kaaththankudi among others, as well as from different religious faiths. Being a gender sensitive
organization, ASK ensures a near equal percentage of male and female staff members.
Our Accomplishments are attributed entirely to our dedicated and professional team members
who are committed to the cause of development. ASK as an institution consciously provides its
team members an opportunity to grow and develop their knowledge, skills and capacities. ASK
believes in the capacity of each individual and helps them in identifying their inherent potential.
Responsibilities are thus assigned to them as per their identified potential and interest.
Investors
Investment
opportunities / CSR

12. Profile - ASK 2016
OUR PHILOSOPHY
To create a work environment that will attract bright, confident and articulate young individuals
who look at development as a worthwhile career. ASK has proven itself to be a Learning
Organization and has acquired this image in the circles of young aspiring social development
professionals. Young professionals look forward to join ASK, to experience quality work with
freedom of thought, a high sense of accountability and discipline in a professionally stimulating
and dynamic environment, with rapid pace. Soul searching and accountability of self are integral
parts of the ASK work culture. We have an informal work atmosphere but high standards of
professional excellence.
The ASK Management Committee comprises of the Director and senior management staff of the
organisation. The Management Committee responsible for decision making on key issues
concerning day to day organisation functioning. ASK practices a very open style of management
that is characterized by:
Free access to senior team members
360 degree appraisal system and special surveys to assess the Director from the point of
view of employees
Transparency of information including financial matters, contracts with clients,
administrative decision making process
Frequent collective reflection on the functioning of the organization and its Divisions
ASK is a registered society and has a Governing Board with seven members. These members are
from different fields within the development sector, ranging from leaders of grassroots NGOs to
researchers and academicians. The governing board also has a staff representative so as to
provide a representation to all stakeholders, particularly in the decision making processes of the
organization. A brief profile of the seven Governing Board Members has been provided below:

13. Profile - ASK 2016
Board of Directors
Team Leader,
Chairman and
Representative CEO
Siyon De Alwis
Mr. Siyon De Alwis, a Development professional
with a MBA. Sociology, DRR, CBR, TPM, is the
founding member CEO, and team leader of ASK.
Siyon has over 15 years of experience of working
at tea plantation companies as Planter, National
and international assignments in the fields of
Human Resource Development, Business
Development Livelihood Promotion Rehabilitation
and Resettlement (R&R), Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR), Peace and Reconciliation
NGO management, and sectorial issues such as
Community Empowerment ,Gender &
Development, Micro Credit and Micro Enterprise
Development, and Participatory Irrigation
Management, among others. At present Managing
49 projects island wide.
Director
Mr Mohammad Fizal Abdeen was appointed as the
Director in April 2016. He had been acting
Managing Director of ASK Concepts for two years
prior. Mr. Mohamed has a broad career in the
Finance and Bank industry as well as insurance and
business consultancy. He holds distinguished
achievements in business restructuring and sits on
the boards of private and public bank and
companies. Mr. Mohammad is also the Banker
International currency and has commercial
interest in hotels and real-estate.

14. Profile - ASK 2016
Member Associate’s & Associates and Director
Member
Associates
Directors 11 member Associates
Audit & Legal Supervisory Board Member
Audit & Supervisory Board Member (Full-time)
Pelvidenela Gedara Jaffar
Mohomad Rifas
FCA/BBA/MBA(PIM-USJ)
Charted Accountant
Audit & Supervisory Board Member (Full-time)
Outside Legal & Supervisory Board
Member (Part-time)
Mohammad Sali Mohammad Faris
International Legal Consultant
Registered Paton and trademark
attorneys and company ecretary’s
Attorney at law , Notaries public