Board of Directors

Prof. W.A.D.P. Wanigasundera

Chairperson, BOD/SDJF

DON PADMASIRI WANIGASUNDERA, who had his PhD on Agric. Extension & Rural Development, Reading, United Kingdom is a senior lecture of the PGIA (post Graduate institute of agriculture) at the University of Peradeniya And Chairman, Board of Study in Agricultural Extension, Postgraduate. He has got Over 15 year’s extensive experience in University Teaching, Research, Curriculum Development together with, over 15 years practical experience as a field extension and rural development worker and as a manager of extension organizations. Prof. Wanigasundara is a skillful personality in project implementation, monitoring and evaluation of academic programs and rural development interventions. He has contributed in the Development of interactive audio-visual development communication media, production of award winning video documentaries and, development of computer-based teaching/learning aids. Also, Prof. Wanigasundara taught Development Communication, Development Journalism and Media Use, Communication for Natural Resource Management, Preparation and Use of Audio-Visual Media, Technical Writing, Human Resource Management at bachelor and undergraduate level.

Prof. Ajantha Hapuarachchi

Co - Chairperson, BOD/SDJF

Prof Ajantha Hapuarachchi, who is the first female professor in Communication Studies, has done extensive research on the dynamics of Silicon Valley Civilization in globalization. She is also the author of 13 publications and has edited four communication glossaries. Her sole aim is to bestow the world a new communication theory based on the Buddhist philosophy.

As a senior lecturer she has published many research papers on various topics including innovations in creating better leadership, ineffectiveness of traditional forms of communication due to emergence of new media in Sri Lanka and public participation in development and views of general public about major development initiatives in Sri Lanka. She is considered as the first female PhD holder and Masters holder in Communication Studies. She had been working as a senior journalist prior to her appointment as a lecturer at the Colombo University.

She is now the Head of Communication and Media Studies Department, University of colombo becoming the first female to hold the duties. She, as a past pupil of Kegalle Ranvala Maha Naga Maha Vidyalaya, is glad about her present status, which she acquired without enjoying the special benefits of a so called privileged school

Mr. Athula Pushpakumra

Athula Pushpakumara obtained his Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Sri Lanka and also holds a Diploma in Journalism from the University of Colombo. Athula was a Radio Journalist, News Division, in the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation prior to being appointed Head of Media and PR at ICTA. He is a fellow of the prestigious Radio Netherlands Training Centre (RNTC) in Hilversum and followed the 'News and Current Affairs' course in 1998 and the 'Online Journalism' course in year 2002. Twice recipient of the 'NUFFIC' (Netherlands Organization for International Corporation in Higher Education) scholarship granted by the Royal Dutch Government, Athula did his research on 'Digital News Age' and 'The future of Online Journalism in Europe'. Athula also underwent some Journalism Training organized by the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union.

Athula won the Presidential Award for the Best Radio News Reporter in 1995 for his productios for the National Radio. A member of the Sri Lanka Professional Journalists' Association and the Parliament Correspondents' Association of Sri Lanka, Athula, is one of the founders of Sri Lanka's widely read news websites, LankaPage.com (first Lankan website) and ColomboPage.com.

Ms. Ruzniya Jainul Abdden

Ruzniya Jainul Abdden graduated from the University of Colombo, 2003 with the Bachelor degree in Bio Science and specialized in pharmacy. She has obtained the postgraduate degree in University of Colombo, Faculty in Medicine on Health Research and Development. Ruznia recently completed her Masters’ in Business Studies at Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo. She is a Sri Lanka Administrative Service Officer earlier worked as an Assistant Commissioner in the Department of Registration of Persons and at present working as an Assistant Secretary to the Public Service Commission. Ruzniya is a gender activist and has written many articles and commentaries on Islamic gender perspective. She joined SDJF in 2010 as a BOD member.