SHANTI PERERA is a founder member of the ECFU, who served as Hony Treasurer for a period of 15 years, during the tenures of Henri Corea, Ernie Corea and Vijaya Corea as Presidents of the ECFU. He is the grandson of Missie de Alwis (nee Corea) and Gate Mudaliyar Cyril de Alwis of Marawila, Mudaliyar of Pitigal Korale South and son of Doris (Birdie) Perera (nee de Alwis) and Mudaliyar Percy Perera of Tangalle, the Mudaliyar of West Giruwa Pattu.

He married Dilkara Samarakkody and have two children, Haresh Perera (son) and Shiara Perera (daughter).

Shanti was educated at S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia. Initially a Tea Taster by profession in the mercantile sector in Colombo, Shanti subsequently had his own lucrative tourist guest house in Mount Lavinia, run as a family business concern.