Furthermore, Shalini has advised ministries and corporates on quality cultural development. She organised pioneering exhibitions or regional modern and contemporary art in cities, including Kuala Lumpur, London and New York. In addition to research and publication, she continues to develop scholarship and research modules. Her expertise lead to important appointments as a Visiting Scholar at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

For the duration of her cultural tenure, She has advised government, collections, auction houses and institutions. She was the first Sri Lankan art expert to be appointed to the Tate Gallery, Acquisitions Committee and has served on numerous cultural judging panels, namely: Sovereign Art Prize, HK; Caochangdi PhotoSpring Festival (Les Rencontres d’Arles Photography Festival), Beijing; Smithsonian Institution’s SARF program (Smithsonian Artist Residency Fellowship); and the Commonwealth Foundation Art Awards.

Committed to quality education, she is a founding Board Member of the English Speaking Union, Malaysia (2003), where she has initiated pioneering English language projects including with Malaysia’s Ministry of Education. As a past President of the Oxford & Cambridge Society of Malaysia, she led a series of talks to make Oxbridge more accessible and rooted in the local community. She sits on the Cambridge University, Trinity Hall Advisory Board, to provide guidance on thoughtful development constructs and outreach strategies.

Shalini is Sri Lankan born and a Malaysian national. She was educated in the US and UK, graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy where she was made a Life Harkness Fellow. She read law at University of Cambridge, Trinity Hall, has a LL.M. from Columbia University Law School and is a qualified Barrister and New York Attorney.