Kithmina Hewage Email & Phone Number

Hong Kong Sar

- Developing and leading CAPS' outreach and policy engagement strategy, with policymakers, ultra-high net worth individuals, corporations, journalists, international development partners, and social development organisations to improve policies around social investment. - Working across 18 economies in Asia (Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam)

Geneva, Switzerland

- Only Sri Lankan that participated in the WEF's Regional Action Group for South Asia, created to discuss and share policy perspectives and best practices regarding the region's response to COVID-19- Led a 15-member team of policymakers, researchers and bureaucrats to create a Transformation Map, highlighting 8 key areas that determined the developmental trajectory of Sri Lanka.- Provide advice and commentary on development policy in Asia during WEF organized gatherings and affiliated platforms.

Colombo Hub

The Global Shapers Community is a network of Hubs developed and led by young people who are exceptional in their potential, their achievements, and their drive to make a contribution to their communities. The Global Shapers Community is an initiative of the World Economic Forum.Shapers are highly motivated individuals who have a great potential for future leadership roles in society. They are selected on the basis of their achievements, leadership potential, and commitment to make a difference. Through the Global Shapers Community, Shapers are provided with opportunities to connect with the worldwide network of Global Shapers, to network with other World Economic Forum communities, and to represent the voice of youth at World Economic Forum events. Shapers are united by a common desire to channel the members’ tremendous energy and enthusiasm into building a more peaceful and inclusive world.

Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka

- Lead on providing analysis and reporting of developments and trends in Sri Lanka’s internal politics, foreign policy, and regional affairs and their implications for UK policy. Reporting includes high-level reports and debriefs to senior UK government officials (e.g. Cabinet members, Junior Ministers).- Develop and manage the High Commission’s network with a broad range of political contacts in government, parliament, and political parties, as well as analysts and opinion formers. Prioritise, plan, co-ordinate, and deliver the High Commission’s engagements with those contacts.- Build and maintain working relationships with senior political, business, civil society contacts to help strengthen the Sri Lanka - UK bilateral relationship. - Work closely with the senior leadership of the High Commission (e.g. High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner, Head of Political) to support their understanding of domestic and regional political-economic developments. - Plan and deliver the High Commission’s engagement with regions outside Colombo to fulfil the full range of UK objectives: political engagement, trade and investment, and support to human rights and peacebuilding.- Support the delivery of visits by UK political figures to Sri Lanka and vice versa.- Support the High Commission's response to any crises through delivery of authoritative political advice, and contributions to wider team-working.- Support the High Commission's Communications Team Leader in the delivery of the UK’s political messaging in print and social media, and through speeches.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

- Coached the National English Debate Team: Runners Up at the World Schools Debating Championship 2020.- Established a line of communication and the foundations of a program, in coordination with the Ministry of Education to promote debating nationally, as opposed to only in the capital city. - Restructured the Debater’s Council into a robust organisation, with a clear mandate and secure funding. - Developed a training curriculum for debate coaches and students, including workshops around Sri Lanka.- Given back to the community through working with school students, identifying their talent and coaching them to compete on an international level, and liaising with parents and school authorities.

Colombo

IPS is Sri Lanka’s leading policy think tank, regionally recognised and a trusted research partner for the Government of Sri Lanka. Initially joining as a Research Assistant, I moved into the Research Officer role within a year and was promoted to my senior researcher position, reporting directly to the Executive Director in 2019. The role involves:- Researching and reporting on economic policy, specifically in the areas of private sector competitiveness, foreign direct investment, and international trade and investment policy. - Managing a team of 4 researchers, including recruitment, assignments and approving all work produced. - Consulting directly with the Government of Sri Lanka, specifically Ministerial departments and international organizations such as ITC and the World Bank on political- issues and economic economic issues and policy reforms. - Leading and managing policy engagement events, consultations, and research projects with stakeholders at the highest level of government, private sector, and civil society.- Disseminating research findings through television and radio interviews, panel discussions, newspaper articles, and presentations made at international and domestic conferences. - Drafting and presenting proposals to secure grants and justifying lines of funding to conduct research, data collection, policy recommendations.- Pioneered and organised the ‘New Thinkers’ Symposium’, the first informal mentoring system in Sri Lanka for young researchers to learn industry best practices and network. With over 100+ attendees, the event required coordination with other think tanks and selection and invitation of guest experts.

Lecturer on topics such as the political economy of trade, trade and development, the role of foreign aid in international trade, South Asian trade integration, and mega-regional trade agreements and its political economy implications.

As a national consultant, I conducted a regulatory assessment on the construction, architecture, and engineering services sectors in Sri Lanka support domestic policy decision-making. This involved: - Conducting stakeholder consultations with policymakers such as the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Authority, private sector representatives such as construction companies, and members of professional organizations such as the Engineering Council of Sri Lanka. - Authored a national report from the above findings, covering: * the need to benchmark against international standards to advance industry improvement. * legislative gaps such as ones in the Arbitration Act, where dispute settlement had no set time limit * implementation failures; for example, non-compliance of the latest rules introduced by CIDA at the local government level due to coordination issues. * proposing regulatory measures such as updating immigration policy to address domestic supply shortages in labour.

London, United Kingdom

Content editor for the flagship journal of the School of Public Policy at University College London – a peer reviewed journal published annually in June. Contributed articles to the blog hosted by the journal.

Geneva Area, Switzerland

Authored policy paper on remittances and royalty payments in financing development.Provided research assistance to draft policy recommendations for member nations duringnegotiations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).Attended discussions on draft proposals for the Post-2015 Development Agenda with membernations of the South Centre and at the United Nations.

Baltimore, Maryland Area

Led a team of 160 fellow undergraduates from diverse backgrounds to organise an international conference for 2000 high school students on issues pertaining to contemporary international politics.Increased conference participation by 20% from its previous year.Managed an operational budget of more than $110,000. Successfully managed relationships with different stakeholders, including university officials, hotel management, parents of participants, and members of the organising team.

Greater New York City Area

Engaged in bilateral and multilateral negotiations during Open Working Group sessions onthe Post-2015 Development Agenda with government officials, civil society actors, and otherstakeholders.Drafted foreign policy recommendations and memorandums to the Ministry of ExternalAffairs, Sri Lanka pertaining to issues including national security and economic policy.Speech Writer to the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations.Research assistance on issues related to the UN Economic and Social Council, SecurityCouncil, and Third Committee of the General Assembly using online resources, UN library,and other resources accessible to the Government of Sri Lanka.Speech writer to the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN.

Sri Lanka

Co-authored articles on inclusive growth in Sri Lanka and an international economic reviewthat appeared on the IPS Blog ‘Talking Economics’ that subsequently appeared in The Islandnewspaper – Financial Times Review.Conducted research and contributed towards a study on ‘Sri Lanka’s Aviation Sector:Performance, Prospects & Challenges’ that included elite interviews with the Chairman ofAirport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited and Country Managers of airlinesoperating from Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka

Conducted workshops on pluralism and inclusivity around Sri Lanka after the conclusion ofthe military conflict.Interacted and built relationships with community leaders in order to empower them withtools to promote post-conflict reconciliation among ethnicities on a local level.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A), International Studies (Hons), And Anthropology, Degree Gpa: 3.7/4.0

Activities and Societies: Woodrow Wilson Debate Council, Student Activities Commission, Johns Hopkins University Model UN Conference.

Master Of Science (Msc), International Public Policy

Activities and Societies: Editor - International Public Policy ReviewTerm 1 Modules: International Organisations Public Policy Economics.

Diploma In International Relations, International Relations

Gained preliminary insights into International Relations theories and practices.

Gce Advanced Level, Edexel A/Ls In Economics, Mathematics, History, And Geography

Activities and Societies: Debate Team, Model United Nations Association, Cricket Team, Inter-House Shakespeare Drama Competition (Played.

General Course In Diplomacy And International Relations, Diplomacy And International Relations

Education record