Balraj Arunasalam
Balraj Arunasalam is a Sri Lankan entrepreneur. He is the founder/chief executive of Gemtrans Engineering Company and is the International President of Toastmasters International.
Born in Kandy, he was educated at Trinity College, Kandy; Balraj later earned a MBA from the Australian Institute of Business Administration. Having joined the family business Gemini Stores Pvt Ltd, Balraj established Gemtrans Engineering Company in 2000 diversifying operations of Gemini Stores into the manufacturing and distribution of industrial belts. An ACTIVE remember in the local chamber of commerce and rotary club of Colombo West, Balraj serves as President of the Iyyappan Temple management board and as Vice President of the Aarunadu Velalar Society of Sri Lanka.
Having joined Toastmasters International in 1989, Balraj having served as Territorial Council Chairman for the Sri Lanka Chapter from 2003 to 2006 and served as Lieutenant Governor Education & Training of the newly formed District 82 which covered India and Sri Lanka in 2007. In 2008 he was appointed uncontested to the post of District Governor of District 82 and led the district gain the President’s Distinguished District Award and to become the best performing District in the world that year. From 2011 to 2013 he served as International Director of Toastmasters International. In 2014 he was elected as the Second Vice President of Toastmasters International and was appointed to the post of First Vice President the following year. In 2017, he was appointed as the International President. He has received toastmasters highest award Distinguished Toastmaster Award in 2009 and received a Presidential Citation in 2006.
He is married to Sarumathie Balraj and they have two daughters.