Hendawitharana Kishara Manique Gunaratne

ID: a square graphic on a blue gradient background with the header: “The D-30 Impact List, 2021 Honoree, Manique Gunaratne, she/her/hers, Sri Lanka.” Manique’s headshot on the right. Manique is a woman with dark brown hair and is wearing a blue dress. At the bottom, “Diversability, #D30DisList.”

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Hendawitharana Kishara Manique Gunaratne (she/her/hers)

Manager - Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre

Sri Lanka

Hendawitharana has promoted inclusive economic development in all corners of Sri Lanka, creating long-term sustainable employment and livelihoods for persons with disabilities. Her work on disability rights has been recognized nationally and internationally. She plays a major role in advocacy and lobbying for persons with disabilities, representing Sri Lanka numerous times on an international level for various countries at conferences, training, seminars, and workshops, and as a resource person.

A few of Hendawitharana’s accomplishments include:

1. Implementing a project on Mobilizing Women Leaders with Disabilities for Inclusive Responses to Gender-Based Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic based on all nine provinces in Sri Lanka.

2. Developing a mobile app to provide information for women with disabilities during emergency situations.

3. Building a support network to mitigate gender-based violence during pandemics.

4. Assigning “Best buddies” for women with disabilities to support during emergency situations without being left behind."

We asked Hendawitharana if she would like to add anything else to her accomplishments, and she stated: “I was selected as Country Representative - World Disability and Rehabilitation Professionals’ Association (WDRPA).”