Wasantha Mudalige
Wasantha Mudalige, is a prominent student leader and an education rights activist. He is the convener of the Inter-University Student Federation (IUSF) which has been a prominent force in the ongoing peaceful protests linked to the economic crisis, but also raising broader issues of governance, corruption, and accountability.
The situation for human Rights Defenders has significantly improved since Maithripala Sirisena came to power in January 2015, with improved conditions for freedom of expression, civil society and judicial independence. The Sirisena administration has ushered in a broad reversal of the country’s authoritarian drift under Mahinda Rajapaksa, but human rights defenders fighting against corruption, enforced disappearances or defending environmental rights remain at great risk
