Anoka Primrose Abeyrathne
Anoka Abeyrathne | |
|---|---|
| Born | Anoka Primrose Pelpola Abeyrathne Sri Lanka |
| Other names | Anoka Abeyratne |
| Occupation(s) | Environmentalist, social entrepreneur, public speaker, author, activist |
| Known for | Sustainable development, gender equity activism, mangrove rehabilitation, animal welfare advocacy |
| Notable work | Growin' Money program |
Anoka Primrose Pelpola Abeyrathne (), also referred to as Anoka Abeyratne, is a prominent Sri Lankan environmentalist, internationally recognized social entrepreneur, distinguished public speaker, bestselling author, and activist dedicated to sustainable development and gender equity. She held the position of Asia-Pacific representative for the United Nations Habitat Youth Advisory Board and currently serves as the elected Environment Lead at the Royal Commonwealth Society. In 2019, she was honored as one of the "Iconic Sri Lankan Women Who Have Shaped History," alongside notable figures such as UN Human Rights laureate Sunila Abeysekera and Ambassador Manel Abeysekera. By 2023, she was highlighted among the 5 Young Women Transforming the World and acts as the Royal Commonwealth Society's regional coordinator for Asia.
Early life
Abeyrathne completed her schooling at Bishop's College, where she excelled academically in Biology and demonstrated athletic prowess in disciplines including Muay Thai. Additionally, she is a skilled pianist with accolades from national competitions. Her academic journey encompassed studies in biology, law, and business, complemented by practical experience within the United Nations and corporate environments while managing an award-winning social enterprise. She earned a master's degree from the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge.
Activism and work
In response to the 2004 tsunami disaster in Sri Lanka, Abeyrathne initiated Growin' Money, a program aimed at rehabilitating mangrove ecosystems while simultaneously creating income-generating opportunities for families through crafts, organic agriculture, eco-tourism, and vocational education. Over a span of ten years, this project has successfully replanted upwards of 60,000 mangroves across five nations and provided training to more than 50,000 women and youth. Her dedication to environmental causes earned her recognition as a Global Changemaker in 2011.
She led Sri Lanka’s most extensive petition campaign advocating for the Animal Welfare Bill, collecting over 130,000 endorsements from citizens and organizations alike; this petition was formally presented to Parliament and catalyzed a surge in social cause petitions nationwide.
Following a personal experience of sexual harassment in Colombo, Abeyrathne documented the incident on video, provoking widespread public indignation that resulted in the offender’s incarceration. This courageous act ignited a broader movement encouraging women to record harassment episodes to strengthen their pursuit of justice.
Her professional engagements span corporate sectors, civil society, and government agencies. Abeyrathne remains committed to advancing conservation and climate-related projects by empowering marginalized communities, emphasizing that effective environmental advocacy must be rooted in community involvement and local contexts rather than relying exclusively on donor funding.
Awards and recognition
Abeyrathne was chosen to lead the Environmental Working Group at the Royal Commonwealth Society, marking her as the first Sri Lankan to occupy this leadership role. In 2020, she delivered the keynote speech for International Women's Day and had the honor of ringing the opening bell at the Colombo Stock Exchange. She was included in Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka’s inaugural 35 under 35 list and stands as Sri Lanka’s first female World Economic Forum New Champion. Her inclusion among "Iconic Sri Lankan Women Who Have Shaped History" came in 2019. She has received the Commonwealth Youth Award and was recognized on Forbes’ 30 under 30 list.
Serving as one of twelve influencers on the United Nations–World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Council, she contributed to integrating sustainability principles globally. She is also Sri Lanka’s pioneering female New Champion at the World Economic Forum. Her keynote addresses include appearances at the Youth Leaders Forum, Commonwealth Asia Youth Ministers Meeting, and Commonwealth Women's Affairs Ministerial Meeting. Elected to the UN Habitat Global Youth Advisory Board, she was named among the 5 Young Women Changing the World in 2023.
As the youngest presenter at Sri Lanka’s inaugural Social Innovation Forum, she collaborated on disaster management strategies and sustainability evaluations with the Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka under the Ministry of Defence. In 2017, Abeyrathne was honored with a World Youth award recognizing her impact on youth empowerment and sustainability efforts; she is also acknowledged as an International Climate Champion by the British Council.