Dakshitha Wickremarathne

Co-Founder, Youth Advocacy Network Sri Lanka

Biography

Dakshitha Wickremarathne is a development practitioner striving for social justice. His childhood during the times of conflict in Sri Lanka has sparked his passion for peace and equality. His work in the areas of health, gender and reconciliation lead him to be appointed by the UN Secretary-General as the youngest member of the Every Woman Every Child Independent Accountability Panel.
As the Co-Founder and the Programme Director of Youth Advocacy Network Sri Lanka, Dakshitha continues his ground-level work while also shaping strong policies grounded in evidence and science. Dakshitha completed his Bachelors in Social Work winning the gold medal for the Best Academic Performance and received a Post Graduate Diploma in Diplomacy and Global Affairs.
He is a Women Deliver Young Leaders Alumni and a Youth Champion of Asia Safe Abortion Partnership. With UNFPA, as a Master Trainer, Dakshitha has extensive experience in working with young people and most at-risk populations in Asia and the Pacific. Dakshitha served as the youngest Assistant Director for Office for National Unity and Reconciliation chaired by the Former President of Sri Lanka. Dakshitha was a Commissioner in the Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Well Being and a Youth Advisor to UN Women’s Global Civil Society Advisory Group.

Expertise

HealthHuman Rights

Regional Focus

Central and Southern Asia