Meet the 2023 LankaCorps Fellows
The LankaCorps Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for young leaders of Sri Lankan heritage to professionally engage in social, cultural, and economic development activities in Sri Lanka. The program aims to foster the involvement and understanding of young members of the expatriate Sri Lankan community who have limited in-depth experience with the country of their heritage. Each year, The Asia Foundation selects an outstanding group of LankaCorps Fellows to live and work for six months in Sri Lanka, granting them the unique chance to “explore their roots while giving back.”
Borrsha Kanapathipillai (Canada) strives to be more engaged with the Tamil diaspora and hopes her experience with LankaCorps will deepen her understanding of the Tamil community and culture. She hopes to continue working closely with historically marginalized communities to provide support in improving their quality of life through sustainable structural changes. She will be placed with Law and Society Trust
Bramman Rajkumar (United Kingdom) is a policy advisor in the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, working to increase access to finance for small and medium enterprises. Upon graduating from the University of Oxford, Bramman entered the Frontline program to work and qualify as a social worker in London. His placement organization is the Lanka Orix Leasing Company
Matthew Hyginus (Canada), is a current doctoral student specializing in Organizational Behaviour at the Ivey Business School, University of Western Ontario. As an incoming LankaCorps Fellow, he eagerly anticipates delving into his ancestral heritage and gaining fresh perspectives by contributing to a local research NGO. He will be placed at the International Centre for Ethnic Studies
Isa Ananya Spoerry (United States) earned both her bachelor’s (Social and Cultural Analysis, Global and Urban Education, Peace and Conflict Studies) and master’s (Interdisciplinary Studies) degrees from New York University before working at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Halfway through college, a quick visit to Sri Lanka redirected Isa’s studies towards the island’s North American diaspora communities. Her placement organization: The Geoffrey Bawa Trust
Rhian Paranavitana (Australia) has a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Arts, Film and Television from Deakin University with a focus on Audio Production and Composition. Rhian is interested in a future in physical therapy whilst pursuing his creativity in music and art on the side. He will be placed with SHIFT Integrated Pvt Ltd
Sadushi De Silva (United States, she/they) earned their degree from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies. During her time in school, Sadushi worked with a number of organizations in the Bay Area including those focused on immigration defense, homelessness advocacy, affordable housing, restorative justice, and prisoners’ rights. Their placement organization: International Centre for Ethnic Studies
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