Advisor – President’s Counsel Jagath Wickramanayake
Jagath Wickramanayake is a President’s Counsel with over 26 years of practice in Civil and Commercial Law. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Colombo and a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Trade from the University of Wales, United Kingdom. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb), UK.
He served as the President of the Colombo Law Society, having previously held the position of Treasurer, and during his tenure, he organized the LawBiz Conference to bridge the gap between the legal profession and the business community. He also served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.
Mr. Wickramanayake has contributed to several advisory committees on legal reforms, including reforms to the Condominium Law, the recovery of possession of land expeditiously, and media regulations. He served on advisory committees on Banking Law, the Recognition, Registration, and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Bill, the Recognition of Foreign Divorces, Annulments of Marriages or Judicial Separation Bill, the Online Safety Bill, and the Atomic Energy Act.
Chairperson- Dr. Viranjana Herath
Dr. Viranjana Herath serves as the Chairperson and Legal Consultant at the Media Law Forum, where he provides strategic guidance and legal expertise to advance media freedom, digital rights, and access to justice in Sri Lanka. He leads organisational governance, shapes research priorities, and engages with national and international stakeholders to strengthen legal protections and ethical media practices.
A distinguished attorney-at-law, Dr. Herath holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Human Rights from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore, and a PhD in Legal Studies from the South Asian University, New Delhi. His doctoral research, regulating online hate speech in South Asia with special reference to India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, underscores his expertise in constitutional law, digital regulation, and the intersection of media and society. He has actively contributed to workshops, legal awareness programmes, and policy initiatives aimed at empowering journalists and safeguarding freedom of expression.
Through his leadership, the Media Law Forum continues to drive rights-based legal advocacy, foster innovative research, and build multi-stakeholder collaborations that promote a resilient, ethical, and rights-respecting media landscape in Sri Lanka.
Director – Ms. Niroshika Liyana Muhandiram
Niroshika Liyana Muhandiram is a PhD research scholar at the Faculty of Legal Studies, South Asian University, New Delhi, India. She obtained her LL.B. (Hons) from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and her LL.M. in International Law from South Asian University in 2018, where she was awarded the Gold Medal for Excellent Academic Performance in the Faculty of Legal Studies. She currently serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Legal Studies at the Open University of Sri Lanka.
She has published research papers in several indexed journals, including the Asia-Pacific Law Journal, LEADS Journal, and publications with Hart Publishing. Her research interests include international investment law, the fundamental rights jurisprudence of Sri Lanka, and commercial arbitration.
Director – Mrs. Kalani Irosha Dharmasiri
Ms. Kalani Irosha Dharmasiri holds a Master of Philosophy by Research from the University of Kelaniya and has a BA in Mass Media Honors from the University of Colombo, LL. B Degree, Postgraduate Diploma in Education, Postgraduate Diploma in Sociology, Commonwealth Diploma in Youth Development work. Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology & Counselling and Diploma in Human Resource Management are in her bag of higher education qualifications.
Ms. Kalani has been a practicing media personality cum academic in the country for almost two decades. She worked as a News Editor in Sri Lanka Broadcasting Cooperation. Ms. Kalani is an Attorney- at- Law of Sri Lanka Supreme Court and she is a Commissioner for Oaths, Notary Public and Company Secretary too. Ms. Kalani is also a renowned writer in Mass media studies including Radio Media and Disaster Communication, Media Law & Ethics and has authored and published four books and she is an Editorial Board Member of School Text Books in Education Publication Department, Sri Lanka.so far. Ms. Kalani is a visiting lecturer to the University of Vocational Technology, Sri Lanka Press Council, Sri Lanka College of Journalism, Sri Lanka Police Training Institute and other leading higher education institutes. Also, she is the Chairperson of the Advisory Board of Science Information and Technology Campus and the Global Media Academy of Journalism.
Ms. Kalani is a Member of the Board of Directors of FACTS-Asia (Foundation for Advancing Critical Thinking in South Asia) and CMIL (Center for Media & Information Literacy). At present, Ms. Kalani is a Senior Lecturer in Mass Media, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. These days she is reading her Doctor of Philosophy in Management & Science University of Malaysia about Social Media Regulation & Legal Literacy.
Director – Ms. Hana Ibrahim
Hana Ibrahim is the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Express and Weekend Express, published by Express Newspapers Ceylon Ltd., and also oversees Turning Points, an annual co-branded publication produced in partnership with The New York Times. A career journalist with a Master’s degree in Journalism, she brings over 25 years of local and international experience in the media sector.
She is the founding editor of Ceylon Today (Daily and Sunday) and previously served as Editor of the Sunday Standard. Her earlier roles include Senior Associate Editor of the Sunday Observer and creator/editor of Friday, a weekly tabloid developed under her leadership. Internationally, she has worked in both the United States and the United Arab Emirates, spending several years with Gulf News, where she reported on major global events, including the conflicts in Somalia and Bosnia, the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, and the subsequent Gulf War.
Hana is a co-convener of South Asian Women in Media (SAWM) and a founding member of the South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN). She also serves as an Executive Member of the Free Media Movement and sits on the boards of the Sri Lanka College of Journalism and Transparency International Sri Lanka.
Her professional interests include ethical and responsible journalism, newsroom leadership and best practices, women’s empowerment in media, language development, and training the next generation of journalists.
Director – Mrs. Anoma de Alwis
Anoma de Alwis is the Director at the Media Law Forum. She anchors the organization’s financial stewardship and operational systems, ensuring strong governance, accountable financial practices, and efficient administrative processes that underpin MLF’s work in advancing media freedom, digital rights, and access to justice in Sri Lanka.
Drawing on her extensive experience in finance and organizational management, Anoma brings a detail-driven and strategic approach to budgeting, compliance, and donor reporting. Her work strengthens institutional sustainability and enables the Media Law Forum to deliver impactful, rights-based programmes while fostering a transparent and resilient media ecosystem.
Director of Operations – Mr. Prabodha Rathnayaka
Prabodha Rathnayaka serves as the Director of Operations at the Media Law Forum, where he provides strategic leadership and operational oversight to advance the organisation’s mission of strengthening media freedom, legal protections, and information integrity in Sri Lanka. In this role, he coordinates key programmes, supports organisational governance, and engages with legal, media, and civil society stakeholders to enhance access to justice and legal awareness for media professionals.
A practising attorney-at-law with a solid grounding in legal advocacy and policy engagement, Prabodha brings deep expertise in media law, digital rights, and rights-based reforms. He has played a central role in leading legal awareness initiatives, workshops, and research efforts aimed at empowering journalists and media actors in navigating complex regulatory environments. His work reflects a commitment to defending freedom of expression, promoting ethical media practice, and fostering an enabling environment for independent journalism in Sri Lanka.
Project Manager – Ms. Dulmini Ekanayake
Dulmini Ekanayake is an Attorney-at-Law and Project Manager at the Media Law Forum, where she leads key initiatives on media freedom, digital rights, legal empowerment, and environmental journalism in Sri Lanka. She coordinates multi-stakeholder programmes involving journalists, lawyers, civil society actors, and international partners, with a strong focus on strengthening information integrity and enhancing access to justice for media professionals.
With professional experience in law, research, and project management, Dulmini has expertise in capacity-building, policy analysis, and rights-based advocacy. She has contributed to publications on constitutional rights, environmental law, and digital regulation, and is committed to advancing resilient, ethical, and rights-respecting media ecosystems.
Project Coordinator – Mr. Hasitha Kasun Hapuarachchi
Hasitha Hapuarachchi is the Project Coordinator at the Media Law Forum, where he oversees project activities, resources, schedules, and stakeholder communications to ensure the successful execution of initiatives promoting media freedom, digital rights, and access to justice in Sri Lanka. He brings a detail-oriented and strategic approach to project management, facilitating collaboration between teams and stakeholders while ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and effectively.
Hasitha is a motivated and results-driven professional with a strong commitment to excellence and continuous growth. He holds a BA in Economics (First Class) from Gujarat University and is currently pursuing an MA in International Relations at the University of Colombo. His analytical skills, combined with a proactive and collaborative mindset, enable him to contribute meaningfully to Media Law Forum’s mission of fostering a transparent and resilient media ecosystem.
Accountant – Payments & Bookkeeping – Ms. Wasana Dharmasiri
Wasana Dharmasiri, an AATSL-qualified accounting professional, has built a strong track record in optimizing payment processes and strengthening financial accuracy. Known for reducing processing delays, improving reconciliation efficiency, and enhancing internal controls, Wasana consistently delivers error-free payment cycles and supports timely financial decision-making. With a commitment to operational excellence and accountability, Wasana contributes measurable improvements to financial workflows while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
Accountant- Audit and Projects – Mrs. Isurangi Senevirathna
Audit and Projects with strong experience in financial reporting, audit coordination, and project-based accounting. Skilled in managing compliance reviews, supporting internal and external audits, and ensuring accurate documentation and controls. Adept at budgeting, variance analysis, and tracking project financials from initiation to completion. Known for analytical thinking, process improvement, and clear communication with cross-functional teams to support informed decision-making and organizational efficiency.
Legal Intern – Ms. Usha Wijesinghe
Usha Wijesinghe is a Legal Intern at the Media Law Forum and an undergraduate at the University of Colombo. She is passionate about media law, human rights, and public policy, and contributes to projects that promote legal awareness, access to justice, and rights-based advocacy.
Through her internship and academic work, she has gained experience in legal research, policy analysis, and issues related to digital rights and freedom of expression. Usha is committed to supporting ethical and accountable legal practices and hopes to strengthen legal frameworks that protect media freedom and uphold democratic values.