The late Mr. Eric B.M. de Silva, FBIM [Lond.] Ex. ILO Management Consultant and formerly with Central Bank founded the Sri Lanka Association of Personal Secretaries [SLAPS] in 1978. He played the role of godfather to a predominantly female gathering of private and confidential secretaries who came under his guidance for further studies in secretarial practices. In 2003 the Association changed its name to the Sri Lanka  Association of Administrative and Professional Secretaries [SLAAPS]