Details of Board Members – ONUR
P.Wijith Rohan Fernando
Chairperson
Mr. P. Wijith Rohan Fernando, Chairperson of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR), is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Western Classical Culture and Christian Culture at the University of Kelaniya. With extensive academic, research, and administrative experience, he has made remarkable contributions to higher education, interreligious dialogue, and cultural development in Sri Lanka. Holding advanced degrees from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome and the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, Mr. Fernando is also a prolific author and editor whose work spans theology, media, and peacebuilding, reflecting his deep commitment to fostering unity, reconciliation, and intellectual growth.
Ven. Omare Punnasiri Thero
Board Member
Ven. Omare Punnasiri Thero is a dedicated Buddhist monk and educator with a strong background in Political Science, Human Rights, and Sinhala studies. He has served as a teacher and Deputy Principal at various Pirivenas and currently contributes as a resource person at the National Institute of Education. In addition, he actively engages in human rights and social service initiatives, supporting underprivileged students and elderly communities. With international experience in Buddhist missions, he brings valuable insights into reconciliation and unity efforts at ONUR.
Fr. Gracian Gabriel Antonito Arulraj Croos
Board Member
Fr. Anton Arulraj is an experienced Catholic priest with a strong academic background in theology and religious studies. He has served as a Parish Priest in multiple churches across Sri Lanka and is currently the Director of Caritas Valvuthayam in Mannar. With a deep commitment to community service, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian work, he brings a unique perspective to ONUR, contributing to national unity and reconciliation efforts.
Prof. (Chair) Wasantha Seneviratne
Board Member
Prof. Wasantha Seneviratne is the Chair Professor of Public and International Law at the University of Colombo, with extensive expertise in human rights, constitutional law, and international law. She has served as the Head of the Department of Public & International Law and as the Director of the Centre for the Study of Human Rights. A former Vice President of the Asian Society of International Law, she has contributed significantly to legal scholarship and policy-making, including as a member of Sri Lanka’s Presidential Expert Panel for constitutional reform. As a board member of ONUR, she provides legal and policy expertise to national reconciliation efforts.
Prof. W.A.D. Shirley Lal Gregory Wijesinghe
Board Member
Prof. Shirley Lal Gregory Wijesinghe is a distinguished academic specializing in Western Classical Culture, Christian Culture, and Peace Studies. He has served as a Senior Professor at the University of Kelaniya and has held leadership roles, including Head of the Department and Coordinator for postgraduate programs. With extensive experience in conflict resolution, religious studies, and grassroots peacebuilding, he has contributed to international conferences, research initiatives, and publications on peace and justice. As a board member of ONUR, he brings expertise in intercultural dialogue, reconciliation, and sustainable peace efforts.
Prof. Fareena Ruzaik
Board Member
Prof. Fareena Ruzaik is a senior academic at the University of Colombo with extensive expertise in Geography, environmental science, and GIS applications. She has contributed significantly to research, teaching, and university administration. As a board member of ONUR, she brings her academic insights into policy-making and national reconciliation efforts, supporting sustainable community development and social integration.
Mrs. Oshadhi Vindya Herath
Board Member
Senior Lecturer and peace-building scholar specializing in Peace and Conflict Resolution, reconciliation, transitional justice, social cohesion and post-conflict peace-building. Her academic work is grounded in Sri Lankan and comparative post-war contexts, with particular emphasis on truth commissions, the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, religious and cultural dimensions of peace-building, conflict transformation, political violence, peace education and community reconciliation. She has taught extensively at university level in Peace and Conflict Resolution, theories of war, negotiation and peace-building skills, psychology of violence, research methods and workplace communication. Her professional background includes public-sector peace-building practice at the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, where she contributed to reconciliation initiatives, project coordination, research, proposal preparation and programme leadership. Her scholarly profile includes authored books, journal articles, conference proceedings, national and international conference presentations, editorial work, research supervision, review-panel service and media engagement.
Mr. Suchith Abeywickreme
Board Member
Mr. Suchith Abeywickreme is the Senior Technical Lead for Ethics Education at Arigatou International, Switzerland. With a background in peacebuilding, ethics, and youth empowerment, he has led numerous international programs on conflict transformation and resilience-building. Mr. Abeywickreme has worked with global organizations like UNESCO and the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka. As a board member of ONUR, he brings his expertise in ethics education and interfaith dialogue to support national reconciliation efforts.
Mr. Hashim Shalih
Board Member
Mr. Hashim Shalih is a highly experienced professional with over 17 years of expertise in conflict resolution, mediation, and peacebuilding. He has served as a Master Trainer for Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) and a team leader for religious harmony projects in Sri Lanka. He is currently the Chairman of the Community Mediation Board of Addalaichenai and has worked extensively with international organizations such as Helvetas Sri Lanka, National Peace Council, and the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Shalih has received prestigious awards including the Peace Leader Award (2024) and multiple Productivity Awards.
Mrs. Rajarathnam Nirmala
Board Member
Mrs.R. Nirmala is an experienced educator currently serving as a teacher at Tamil Central College, Bandarawela. She holds a BA from the University of Peradeniya and a PFDE qualification, and is fluent in Tamil, Sinhala, and English. With strong skills in problemsolving, team building, and leadership, she has dedicated her career to shaping young minds while fostering inclusive education. Her diverse language abilities and experience in education make her a valuable contributor to community development and peace building initiatives