Danushka Medawatte

About

Danushka’s PhD research asks to what extent ethno-nationalism in Sri Lanka has impacted women’s rights thereby affecting transitional and transformative justice processes in the island. She completed her Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) and her Master of Philosophy degrees at the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo. Her M.Phil thesis was entitled: ‘An Examination of the Legal Framework of Sri Lanka Concerning Enforced Disappearances and Rights of Indirect Victims’. She obtained her Master of Laws degree at Harvard Law School, USA where she was also a James Souverine Gallo Memorial Scholar (2014/15). She is an Attorney – at – Law (non-practising) of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.

Since 2013, Danushka has been a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo. Alongside her academic work, she has also been involved in grassroots level human rights work particularly relating to women, peace, and security. In 2019, Danushka authored the CEDAW Interim Report on behalf of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Women. As the National Lead Consultant, she is currently involved in drafting a National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security for the State Ministry of Women and Child Development, Pre-Schools & Primary Education, School Infrastructure & Education Services. She was also a Co-Investigator of the ‘Potentialities and Politics of Transformation’ of the Gender Justice & Security Hub (UK Research and Innovation – Global Challenges Research Fund).

Danushka has published, both in Sri Lanka and internationally, on topics ranging from missing persons, conflict related sexual violence, constitutional theory (from a Sri Lankan perspective), and critical perspectives on legal education.

In addition to her academic and practical work, Danushka is also interested in music and singing.

Supervision

Dr. Rose S. Parfitt and Dr. Suhraiya Jivraj of Kent Law School.