(English) Current Members of the Commission

(English) Justice Rohini Marasinghe
(English) Chairperson

(English) Venerable Kalupahana Piyarathana Thero
(English) Commissioner

(English) Dr. M.H. Nimal Karunasiri
(English) Commissioner

(English) Dr. Vijitha Nanayakkara
(English) Commissioner

(English) Ms. Anusuya Shanmuganathan
(English) Commissioner

(English) Justice Rohini Marasinghe
(English) Chairperson
(English) JUSTICE ROHINI MARASINGHE PERSONAL PROFILE Attorney- At – Law with over four decades of experience as a Defense Lawyer, a State Counsel and as a Judicial Officer until retirement as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. (Apex Court) During the period as a judicial officer, participated and presented legal papers at numerous conferences and seminars, both locally and internationally including at the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Conferences and SAARC conferences as well as held the position of Secretary of the Judicial Services Associations of Sri Lanka (JSA) and secretary and president of the High Court Judges Association. Since retiring from the judicial service in 2015 date, is engaged as an Arbitrator on commercial disputes and Chairman on disciplinary matters in Statutory Boards as well as providing legal opinion on matters pending in Appellate Courts. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE LEGAL • Defence Lawyer from 1976 to 1980- Handling criminal cases in trial courts and appellate courts • State Counsel from 1980 to 1982- A State Prosecutor handling Criminal trials in the High Court and Appeal Court. Additionally, was in the State Prosecution team handling high profile political and criminal cases JUDICIARY • 1983 to 1992 Magistrate Court Judge • 1992 to 1998 District Court Judge • 1998 to 2006 Judge of the High Court • 2006 to 2013 Judge of the Court of Appeal • 2013 to 2015 Judge of the Supreme Court ARBITRATIONS • DFP Canada Ltd. • VS Sri Lankan Airlines Ltd. • Laugfs Eco Sri (Pvt.) Ltd. • VS The Commissioner General of Motor Traffic • Cleanco (Pvt.) Ltd. • VS The Commissioner General of Motor Traffic • Oceanic Games (Pt.) Ltd. • VS Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Fund • Link Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd. • VS CBL Agro Processors (Pvt.) Ltd. • Dic Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. • VS J.F. Packaging Limited. INDEPENDENT CONSULTATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES • Consultant for several applications relating to malpractices in the SLC – Sri Lanka Cricket Board • Chairman for a committee on salary anomalies – Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) • Providing legal opinions on matters and on issues that have been appealed to the Appellate Court of Sri Lanka ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS • Masters Degree and Thesis on Criminal Law & Punishment – University of Connecticut, USA. – LLM research papers were presented on the following: o Criminal Jurisprudence its Theories and Practice o Theory of Homicide o Analysis of Theories of Criminal Punishment o Family Law its impact on church and state • Attorney at Law – Sri Lanka: Enrolled as an Attorney at law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka 1976 CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS International: • Hong Kong- Guest Speaker Law Conference 2015 • New Zealand- Guest Speaker Common Wealth and Judges Association (CMJA) Conference on Rule of Law - 2015 • Hong Kong- UNCITRAL conference -2015 • United Kingdom- Judge Moot Court Final -2015 • Scotland- Guest Speaker CMJA Conference on Modern Forms of Judicial Appointments to Higher Courts and Women in Law- 2015 • Zambia- Guest Speaker at CMJA conference- 2014 • Uganda- Guest Speaker at CMJA conference- 2013 • India- Guest Speaker at the Law Conference on Environmental Law-2013 • Thailand- Law Conferences on Money Laundering and Human Trafficking- 2008, 2011, 2013 • United States of America (Wisconsin) Academic Course- 2011 • Australia (Brisbane) Academic Course- 2010 • Nepal- SAARC conference invitee participant- 2006,2007 • Rome- Academic Course- 2005 National: Resource Person to Junior Bar and Judges Institute which comprises of High Court Judge, District Court Judges and Magistrates from 2001 to 2015 on the following subjects- Criminal justice system, the law of evidence relating to burden of proof, theories of punishment, and punishments imposed by the international ad-hoc tribunals for crimes under International Humanitarian Law Publications • The Capital Punishment and the Errors committed by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka • Presidential Pardon under 1978 Constitution • The Criminal Courts Review Commission PERSONAL INFORMATION Sri Lankan national and a Permanent Resident of Canada and married to Dr. Lakshman Marasinghe, Emeritus Professor of Law- University of Windsor, Canada and has three adult children.

(English) Venerable Kalupahana Piyarathana Thero
(English) Commissioner
(English) To uplift the Quality of Life To Build Pure Land on Earth Venerable Kalupahana Piyaratana Thero Purana Maha Vihara, Kebiliyapala, Hakmana. Date of Birth : 12 May 1966 Ordination : Samanera - 26 May 1978 Higher Ordination : Upasampada 16 June 1989 Education: • MA in Buddhist Studies, 1995 – Buddhist & Pali University of Sri Lanka • Post Graduate Diploma in Buddhist Studies, 1994 –University of Kelaniya • BA in Buddhist Philosophy, Christian Culture, and Sinhala, 1991 – University of Kelaniya • International Visitor Leaders Program on Environmental Projection and Bio-Diversity Conservation State Department of USA June 2016 • Inter-Religious Dialogue, July 2006 – Hyderabad, India • Understanding Different Faiths in India, December 2005- Hyderabad, India • Followed a Course in Human Rights and Peace Orientation 2000 – South Asian Human Rights Forum, Kathmandu, Nepal • Followed a Course in Facilitating People’s Organizations, 1997- ‘Siddhartha Village’ Orissa, India Positions Held: • Chairman – Human Development Edification Centre (HUDEC) • Spiritual Director – Abhayagiri Sangha Foundation • Abbot – Purana Maha Vihara, Kebiliyapola, Hakmana • Convenor- Inter-Religious Alliance for National Unity • General Secretary- Manawa Hithvaadee Shree Rohana Bhikshu Peramuna • Organizing Secretary – All Island Clergy Movement • Director- (Inter-Religious Affairs) – Initiative for political and conflict transformation (inpact) • Member of Advisory Board – Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration (1994-2001, 2005-2014) • Member of Advisory Board on Buddhist Affairs – Ministry of Media and Information (1994-2001, 2005-2014) • Working as an abbot of a Monastery and a Director of a Buddhist Monks Training College is an extra knowledge on Leadership • As one pioneer Monk of Environmental protection. I am giving leadership to ordain trees to protect the forest in Sri Lanka • Inter organization Inter-Religious Alliance for National Unity. I work for unity and reconciliation among communities through dialogue • In my work in ‘inpact’ (Initiative for political and conflict transformation) as the Director of interreligious affairs, I had a chance to work in the North and Esat area in wartime and had successful dialogue with LTTE and other armed groups and Sri Lanka Government. • Playing a leading role in reestablishment Theravada Bhikkhuni order in Sri Lanka • I am a preacher on Buddism and related affairs and Environmental issues on National radio and Television Channels • Also represented Sri Lanka in several national and international seminars and conferences on Buddhism, Inter-Religious Affairs, conflict resolution, peace, and ecology.

(English) Dr. M.H. Nimal Karunasiri
(English) Commissioner
(English) (Since 10 December 2020)
(English) Dr. Nimal Karunasiri is currently serving as a Commissioner of Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka. He is also a Board Member of the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crimes and Witnesses. Further, he has responsibilities of the board memberships of the Institute of Indigenous Medicine, Ayurvedic Medical Council, and Ayurveda Formulary Committee. Dr. Nimal became the Commissioner of Ayurveda in North-western Province in 2002 and served as the Western Provincial Commissioner of Ayurveda in 2008. After 6 years of tenure, he was appointed as the first-ever Director-General of the Department of National Community Water Supply. Then Dr. Nimal took over as the Head of Pharmaceutical Botany section at Bandaranayake Memorial Ayurveda Research Institute. He was the founder of the Government Ayurveda Medical Officers’ Association in 1993 and served as the President for 27 years until 2020. Dr. Nimal also was in charge as the President of the Government Executive Officers’ Association. He performed duties as a member of the Indigenous Knowledge Committee of the National Science Foundation and an external lecture at Wickramaarachchi Ayurveda Institute of the University of Kelaniya. Also, he was the President of the International Community Medicine Forum and a board member of the Master's Degree Committee of Sabaragamuwa University. Dr. Nimal obtained his bachelor's degree in Ayurveda Medicine & Surgery and Postgraduate Diploma in Community Development from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. He holds his Masters in Primary Health Care Management from the University of Mahidol, Thailand, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Wayamba, Sri Lanka. He also acquired a Postgraduate Diploma in Hospital Management from the University of Sabaragamuwa, Sri Lanka. Dr. Nimal is seasoned with research and training programs held across a few countries.

(English) Dr. Vijitha Nanayakkara
(English) Commissioner
(English) (Since 10 December 2020)
(English) An accomplished executive with over 40+ years of experience in leadership, management and building diverse performance-driven teams. Highly successful in instilling a long-term vision for organisational growth across public, higher education and non-profit organisations. Currently serving as the Commissioner of Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and numerous Boards of Directors. --Current Positions-- Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka • Commissioner 2020 – Present University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka • Visiting Lecturer, Human Rights Centre 2019 – Present • Visiting Lecturer, Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Science 2017 – Present • Member, Board of Management, Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences 2020 – Present • Member, Board of Studies, Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences 2019 – Present • Member, Board of Management, Centre for Distance and Continuing Education 2020 – Present Samurdhi Development Department • Member, Board of Directors, Samurdhi National Social Development Fund 2020 – Present --Positions Held-- • Vice-Chancellor, Open University of Sri Lanka 2012 – 2015 • Member, Advisory Council of Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) 2013 - 2015 • Executive Governing Board Member, CEMBA/MPA Commonwealth of Learning 2013 – 2015 • Head of the Department, Department of Sociology, University of Peradeniya 2006 – 2010 • Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Peradeniya 1997 – 2006 • Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Peradeniya 1981 – 1997 • Member, Board of Directors, Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority, Ministry of Economic Development 2010 – 2015 • Member, Board of Directors, National Institute of Co-operative Development 2010 – 2012 • Member, Board of Directors, Regional Economic Development Agency 2009 – 2011 • Member, Board of Directors, Sri Lanka Foundation, Colombo, Sri Lanka 2006 – 2010 • Chairman, Arts Council, University of Peradeniya 2006 – 2010 • Member, Board of Directors, Human Rights Centre 2008 – 2009 • Warden of Hilda Obeysekara Hall, University of Peradeniya 2002 – 2007 • Member, Arts Council, University of Peradeniya 1986 – 1997 • Senior Treasurer, Sociological Association, University of Peradeniya 1985 – 1998 --Education-- Bangalore University India Doctor of Philosophy 2003 Title of thesis - The role of NGOs in development: A critical appraisal of poverty alleviation programmes in Sri Lanka University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka Master of Arts 1997 Title of thesis – Socio-cultural factors affecting infant mortality in Sri Lanka University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka Bachelor of Arts, Major in Sociology 1980 Second Class Honours

(English) Ms. Anusuya Shanmuganathan
(English) Commissioner
(English) (Since 10 December 2020)
(English) Ms. Anusuya Shanmuganathan is being served as a Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka since 10 December 2020. Ms. Shanmuganathan passed out from the Sri Lanka Law College in 1980 as an Attorney at law and became a Solicitor of England and Wales in 1990. Ms. Shanmuganathan appeared in District Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court of Sri Lanka as a private Attorney from 1980 -1984. Thereafter, she joined the Attorney General’s Department as an Assistant State Attorney in 1984. Ms. Shanmuganathan retired from the Attorney General’s Department in 2018 as a Senior State Attorney after serving 34 years of service. She communicates Sinhala Tamil and English. She is the Commissioner in charge Commissioner of Inquiries and Investigation Division of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.
(English) Dr. Jagath Balasuriya
(English) Chairman (10 December 2020 to 31 October 2021)
(English) Mr. H.K. Navaratne Weraduwa
(English) Commissioner (10 December 2020 to 11 October 2021)
(English) Past Members of the Commission
30th October 2015 – 10th December 2020
(English) Dr. Deepika Udagama(30 October 2015 to 31 August 2020) – Chairperson
Ms. Ambika Satkunanathan(30 October 2015 to 7 March 2020) – Commissioner
Mr. Hamid Ghazali Hussain(30 October 2015 to 10th December 2020)– Commissioner
Mr. Saliya Peiris(30 October 2015 to 31 April 2018) – Commissioner
Dr. Upananda Vidanapathirana(16 November 2015 to 11 October 2019) – Commissioner
Ms. Ramani Muttetuwagama(10 March 2019 to 10th December 2020) – Commissioner
Ms. Deepika Subasinghe(23 October 2019 to 10th December 2020) – Commissioner
2011 to 21st October 2015
(English) Justice Priyantha R. P. Perera -Chairperson
Dr. Bernard de Zoysa – Commissioner
Mrs. Jezima Ismail – Commissioner
Dr. M.A.J Mendis ( 18th February 2012 to 8th February 2015) – Commissioner
Mr. T.E Anandarajah – Commissioner
2006 - 2009
(English) (Late) Justice P. Ramanathan ( upto Nov 2006) Justice S.Ananda Coomaraswamy
Justice D. Jayawickrema – Commissioner
Mr. Mahanama Tilakaratne – Commissioner
Mr. M.T.M Bafiq – Commissioner
Ms. N.D. Abeywardena – Commissioner
2003- 2006
(English) Dr.Radhika Coomaraswamy – Chairperson
Dr. A. Zainudeen – Commissioner
Mr C. Senanayake – Commissioner
Dr. Deepika Udagama – Commissioner
Mr. N. Selvakkumaran – Commissioner
2000 - 2003
(English) Mr. Faisz Musthapha – Chairperson
Dr. A. Zainudeen – Commissioner
Dr. Godefroy Goonetillake – Commissioner
Mrs. Manouri Muttetuwegama – Commissioner
Mr. N. Selvakkumaran – Commissioner
Mr. Sarath Cooray – Commissioner
1997 – 2000
(English) Justice O. S. M. Seneviratne – Chairman
Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne – Commissioner
Professor Arjuna Aluwihare – Commissioner
Mr. Javid Yusuf – Commissioner
Justice T. Suntheralingam – Commissioner