Namini Panditha
Namini Panditha is the founder of the Liberal Youth Movement which promotes ideals such as liberty, individual rights, the rule of law, and tolerance. The movement, which educates communities, is active in 10 districts and engages over 1,600 young people from diverse backgrounds. It also challenges controversial legislation in court.
Namini Panditha
Namini Panditha is the founder of the Liberal Youth Movement which promotes ideals such as liberty, individual rights, the rule of law, and tolerance.
The movement, which educates communities, is active in 10 districts and engages over 1,600 young people from diverse backgrounds.
It also challenges controversial legislation in court.
System Change from Within
Democracy and liberal ideals are constantly under siege globally, from first-world countries in the West to emerging economies like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and Namini Panditha, an Attorney at Law, is fearlessly championing political literacy and liberal values from grass-roots-up in Sri Lanka because knowledge is the first step to change.
Hailing from Matara, Namini Panditha is the founder and convener of the Liberal Youth Movement. Namini is dedicated to instilling liberal values like liberty, individual rights, scepticism about power, rule of law, tolerance and peace, responsibility and spontaneous order, from the grassroots level and cultivating a more politically informed and inclusive society through active collaboration and community engagement.
The Liberal Youth Movement has made significant strides with strong youth collectives in 10 districts engaging over 1,600 young people, including women, minorities, and individuals from underrepresented communities. Members of the movement come from a wide range of professions, academic levels, and regions, reflecting the movement’s inclusive appeal. Its geographic reach now extends across Sri Lanka, from Jaffna to Matara and Colombo to Batticaloa, enhancing its influence and ability to engage with diverse communities nationwide.
Through workshops, webinars, and training programmes, Namini and her team tirelessly promote political literacy, emphasizing liberal political, economic, and social values. These initiatives target grassroots communities, helping individuals understand and embrace liberal principles.
Beyond education, they are deeply committed to defending liberal values and individual rights. This dedication is exemplified by their proactive legal actions, such as the Fundamental Rights Petition filed by the co-conveners of the Liberal Youth Movement, which challenged recent emergency regulations in Sri Lanka.
Namini believes the current economic crisis stems from a long-standing betrayal of liberal values and institutions. She argues that addressing this crisis requires simultaneous political, social, and economic reforms, backed by widespread public support. Their multifaceted approach aims to drive the comprehensive changes needed for the nation’s recovery and future stability.
