H.E. Mr. Harsha Kumara Navaratne - High Commissioner

CURRICULUM VITAE

PERSONAL DETAILS 

Full Name Mr. Harsha Kumara Navaratne Weraduwa

Surname Weraduwa 

Office Address  - Sevalanka Foundation, 67/1/1, Dehiwala Road, Boralesgamuwa, Sri Lanka

Home Address - 70/15 First Cross Lane, Templers Road, Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka

Telephone -  +94 (0) 777 370 333, +94 (0) 777 707 512

Email -  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Birth Details - 28 February 1952, Galle, Sri Lanka

Nationality - Sri Lankan

Marital  - Status Married

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2009 to Present Chairperson

International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB)

Headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand

Supporting a network of socially engaged Buddhist practitioners and organizations in more than 40 countries. INEB is leading two initiatives in South and South-East Asia bringing interreligious organizations to work together. As a follow up of these initiatives the Buddhist-Muslim dialogue is set up in Malaysia and Indonesia.

2020 to 2021  Commissioner

Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL)

2015 to 2020 Executive Member of Peace Prize Committee

Niwano Peace Foundation, Tokyo, Japan 

2014 to Present Executive Member of Advisory Board

United Nations Peace University (UPEACE)

University in Costa Rica and Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) in Philippines

2008 to 2016   Organizer

Jaffna and Galle Music Festivals

Established an annual music festival to promote cross-cultural appreciation and understanding. 

1980 to Present  Film Producer

Crosscurrent Productions, Sri Lanka

Produced five films on culture, spirituality and poverty. Received awards from the Central Government, Film Corporation of Sri Lanka and Tokyo International Film Festival. 

1992 to 2021 Founder and Chairperson

Sevalanka Foundation, Sri Lanka

Built a national development organization to support community-based organizations and provide rural services related to sustainable agriculture, fisheries, tourism, enterprise development, microfinance, environmental conservation, psychosocial support, and peace and reconciliation. 

1991 to 1993 Advisor

Janasaviya National Poverty Alleviation Programme, Sri Lanka

Assisted H.E. President Ranasinghe Premadasa with the World Bank funded

Janasaviya programme, the 15,000 Village Development programme, and the 200 Garment Factories programme. Conducted training on Participatory Rural Appraisal Techniques (PRA) for the Human Resource Development Programme. 

1987 to 1991 -  Vice President and Director Field Operations

Lanka Jathika Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Sri Lanka

Trained youth leaders, field staff, government officials, and international development workers. Managed 5,600 Development Facilitators. Developed strategic and operational plans and coordinated implementation. 

1978 to 1987 -  Field Director for North East and North Central Province

Lanka Jathika Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Sri Lanka

Coordinated work with international partners including Oxfam Novib, Oxfam GB, Oxfam USA, ODA, CIDA, NORAD, CARE, UNICEF, and FORUT

EDUCATION

1997 -  Honorary Doctorate in Social Service

Parathasarathi Institute of Peace, Open University, Tamil Nadu, India

1977 - Diploma in Community Development

St. Zavier University, Philippines

1971-Studied at:

Ananda College, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Vidyalaya, Colombo, Sri Lanka

OTHER TRAININGS

1986 -  Agriculture Extension Training on college De Post Graduates

Colegio de Postgraduados, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Mexico

1985 -Project Formulation Training at Appropriate Technology International

Washington, USA

1983,1985 & 1986 -Training in Planning, Programming, and Evaluation

Oxfam, Boston, USA

1979, 1984 & 1987 -Community Leadership Training

NOVID- Wageningen University, Den Haag, Netherlands

1973 -International Leadership Training

Ministry of Youth, Government of Japan, Tokyo, Japan

ARTISTIC AND CULTURAL ENGAGEMENTS

2002 to Present-Re-initiation of the Traditional Paadha Yatra

Paadha Yatra is a traditional pilgrimage done by foot from North to the South of Sri Lanka, Celebrating God Kataragama (Hindu Lord Murugan) and this promotes greater cross-cultural understanding and cooperation across multiple ethnicities living in Sri Lanka.

1980 to Present-Promotion of Phenomenal Culture-based Films

Possessed great interests in producing films on the themes of culture, spirituality and poverty. So far has produced five films and received awards from the Central Government, Film Corporation of Sri Lanka and Tokyo International Film Festival.

2009 to 2016-Promotion of Music and Culture: Jaffna and Galle Music Festivals

Co-founder and Organizer of Jaffna and Galle Music Festivals during 2009 to 2016. Established an annual music festival to promote cross-cultural appreciation and cultural understanding.