Date
Monday 10 June 2024
15:00 to 17:30
Location
British Council Colombo
Additional information
Target Audience: Youth (18 to 35 years)

The event will consist of two interactive sessions. 

The first session will enable the youth audience to increase their understanding on the national policy and regulatory framework on ocean and climate action. 

The second session will be led by three British Council alumni and youth climate leaders. It will provide youth an opportunity to expand their horizons through the introduction of career and educational opportunities and pathways at the local, regional and global level. 

Date: Monday, 10 June 2024 

Time: 3.00 pm to 5.30pm 

Venue: British Council Colombo 

Target Audience: Youth (18 to 35 years)  

 

Speakers

Kishara Bandaranayake Kishara Bandaranayake

Senior Scientist, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA)

Kishara has been an integral part of NARA's journey since 2010. She has over 13 years expertise in Marine Biology and Marine Fisheries. She is the Secretary of the Expert Committee appointed by the Presidential Secretariat to develop a strategic framework to promote high impact fisheries from an economic perspective. 

Nilantha Piyadasa

Manager Operations , Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA)

Nilantha has been working at MEPA since 2005 and has over 19 years’ experience in marine environment protection. In his role as Manager Operations, he coordinates and monitors the operation activities of MEPA while leading the technical division. 

He holds a BSc from University of Ruhuna in Agriculture and Masters in Natural Resource Management from University of Peradeniya. He also holds an MSc in Maritime Affairs from World Maritime University - Malmo, Sweden. 

 

Sudarsha de Silva Sudarsha de Silva

Co-Founder , Earthlanka Youth Network

Sudarsha De Silva has 19+ years’ experience in environmental journalism, research, youth leadership training, mentoring and advocacy on climate action. Passionate about policy engagement, and inland and marine conservation, he holds a master’s degree in development practices from the Post Graduate Institute of Humanities and Social Science, University of Peradeniya. 

He is presently engaged with advocacy and lobbying for amendments to national policies and works extensively with volunteers. 

Manuja Hendawitharana Manuja Promodya Hendawitharana

British Council Youth Climate Ambassador Alumnus and Marine Ecologist and Conservationist, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA)

Employed as a scientist at National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA). He is also an underwater photographer and a PADI certified SCUBA diver. He holds a BSc (Honours) degree in Zoology from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka and is currently pursuing his ERASMUS joint International MSc in Marine Biological Resources (IMBRSea) at Ghent University, Belgium, the University of Oviedo, Spain, and Sorbonne University, France, specializing in ecosystem modelling. 

 

Sarani Ranaweera Sarani Ranaweera

British Council Active Citizens Alumnus, Entrepreneur, Activist and Advocate for ocean conservation , Earth Lanka Youth Network

Sarani is the Project Coordinator for Earthlanka Youth Network and Hub Leader for Sustainable Ocean Alliance Sri Lanka. She is a graduate from the University of Colombo with a B.A (Sp) in Mass Media and is currently pursuing an LLB from University of London.  ‘

Sarani holds a PADI Advanced Open Water Diving License and is an aspiring PADI Rescue Diver. She is an associate and fellowship holder of Women Divers Hall of Fame. 

Lenin de Silva Lenin de Silva

British Council Youth Climate Leaders Programme Alumnus, Marine Researcher, Biologist and Conservationist , Voice for Climate Change, Sri Lanka

Co-founder of Voice for Climate Change, Sri Lanka and honorary director/co-founder of Alliance for Aquatic Research and Conservation, he is also an advisor to the Marine Environmental Conservation, Society. 

He holds a BSc (Honours) degree in Fisheries and Marine Sciences from Ocean University and an MPhil degree in Veterinary Pathobiology from the University of Peradeniya. Is currently pursuing a PhD at the Centre for Sustainable Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Australia.

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