Reconciling Sri Lanka
VIEW EVENT DETAILSFor over 25 years, the civil war in Sri Lanka caused significant hardships for the population, environment, and the economy of the country, with an estimated 80,000–100,000 people killed during its course. The task now facing the people of Sri Lanka is immense and requires extensive and deliberate remediation.
Asia Society Texas Center will host the Honorable Minister Mr. Vasudeva Nanayakkara, who will discuss the efforts being taken to reconcile the Tamil and Sinhalese communities in Sri Lanka.
Tickets
Members of Asia Society will receive priority seating with reservation. Please click the link on the right to reserve your seat. All guests are invited to attend welcome reception.
Seating for guests attending without reservation is based on limited availability.
Schedule
Registration and Light Reception: 6:00 pm
Program: 7:00 pm
About Vasudeva Nanayakkara
Vasudeva Nanayakkara, the fire-brand of Sri Lankan left politics, is a national leader who strives for social justice. Born in the village of Materamba-Mihiripenna in Galle, he received his primary education at Richmond College, Galle, from where he secured admission to the Law College. Nanayakkara graduated as an Attorney-at-law and was a practicing lawyer. He also has a Degree in Law from the University of Peradeniya. Nanayakkara soon gave up his legal career in favor of revolutionary politics.
Nanayakkara started his political career in the 1950s as an active member of the Samasamaja Youth Movement and soon became its leader. In 1970 he entered the Parliament for the first time representing the people of Kiriella. Since then, Nanayakkara represented the people of the Rathnapura District in the Parliament on many occasions.
Nanayakkara is against the privatization of public resources and believes such resources should be managed in a profitable and effective manner with state intervention. He is also a champion of the rights of the minorities. He has been beaten, jailed and forced underground due to his political activism. On the other hand, his political activism has won him the hearts of the working class and the minority communities.
Nanayakkara is the General Secretary of the Democratic Left Front. He is also the Honorable Minister of National Languages and Social Integration. As the Minister, he aims to unify Sri Lanka by winning the hearts and minds of diverse people that make up the island on the basis of equality.
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