High Commissioner
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.