Shiral Lakthileka, a 2003 alum of Arcadia’s master’s program in International Peace and Conflict Resolution, was appointed as the United National Party’s Chief Organizer for the Kotte electorate in Sri Lanka, according to Sri Lanka News First.

According to Colombo Today, he held “his first Balamandala meeting at party headquarters ‘Sirikotha’ on Dec. 27” and said he was in the process of formulating his policy manifesto. According to Sri Lanka News First, “He worked as an adviser to the Constitutional Affairs Ministry during the UNF government and played a key role in trying to introduce a new Constitution at the time. Lakthileka also has given leadership to many civil organizations that have acted against fraud and corruption in order to protect human rights, civil rights and media freedom. He has carved a niche as a political analyst and has been well accepted by the local and international community as protector of human rights.”

Lakthileka is a human rights lawyer who served as Consultant to the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs in the last UNP administration. “One unforgettable landmark in Shiral’s life was the unrelenting effort that was focused on creating and molding the Peace Building Project of the Ministry with a view to strengthen the Peace Process and achieve a just and sustainable peace in the country through a process of negotiation,” according to the Web site. “Shiral also intervened in the Peace Process advocating the use of scientific methods of conflict resolution & worked diligently to help focus world attention on the Process while representing Sri Lanka at several international conferences.” He initiated “the micro-credit and savings scheme during the period 2001-2007, with a view to alleviate urban poverty and distribute the resultant dividends among the masses.”

According to Sri Lanka News First, “He worked as an adviser to the Constitutional Affairs Ministry during the UNF government and played a key role in trying to introduce a new Constitution at the time. Lakthileka also has given leadership to many civil organizations that have acted against fraud and corruption in order to protect human rights, civil rights and media freedom. He has carved a niche as a political analyst and has been well accepted by the local and international community as protector of human rights.”