Nishan was born and educated in Sri Lanka, before moving to the UK where he received his BA (Hons) and PhD degrees from the University of Cambridge in 1989 and 1993.

He joined the University of Bristol as a research assistant in 1993 and worked in a number of academic roles, serving as the Faculty of Engineering Research Director, Head of Department of Computer Science, Head of Merchant Venturers School of Engineering and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering.  He became Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise in August 2014.

Nishan is internationally recognised for his research on signal processing and texture classification. He served on national and international research funding, governance and postgraduate education panels, as well as acting as a technical consultant for Sony, BT, BBC, Orange, Thales, Toshiba and the Met Police.

As University of Bristol lead for equality, diversity and inclusion, Nishan championed a diverse and welcoming University community that reflected his role as one of the Bristol Race Equality Commissioners and position on the Governing Board of the Bristol City Funds.

Nishan assumed the role of President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester on 4 November 2019.

As President and Vice-Chancellor, he works with all colleagues to build on the University’s world-class reputation in research and teaching to make a positive change in the world. He is responsible for all University activities and leads the direction for overall business and academic strategies.

He chairs the University’s Executive Board and Senior Leadership Team and is an ex-officio member of the University Council.

Nishan delivered his inaugural address as President and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Leicester in January 2020. During his address he announced the development of the Leicester Institute for Inclusion in Higher Education and pledged that the University would achieve a net zero carbon emission target by 2040.

In October 2021, Nishan launched the University’s Centenary celebrations, marking 100 years since the University welcomed its first students.

Nishan launched the University’s new ten-year strategy in November 2021.