Upali obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree in University of Kelaniya and Master of Business Administration at Postgraduate Institute of Management-University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He joined Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) as a Management Trainee in 1986 Served at Gulftainer Company Ltd, Port of Khorfakkan,U.A.E. as a Terminal Planner.

Upali rose in the SLPA to Chief Manager in different sectors and is currently the additional managing director of SLPA and the Director of Logistics.

He’s also a visiting lecturer at University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka in Transport and Logistics Department.