Ashan Perera

Ashan Pushpakumara Perera (Sinhala: අශාන් පෙරේරා; born 4 February 1990) is a Sri Lankan youth advocate, social entrepreneur and philanthropist. Founder of the "Road to Rights" youth-led organisation and UN SDG action award winner, Perera has engaged several social activities, speaking at forums, facilitating events, conducting training, contributing to policy papers, designing campaigns and activities for Youth.

Personal life He was born on 4 February 1990 in Piliyandala as the youngest of three siblings. His father is a mechanic and a businessman, and his mother a housewife. He first attended to Piliyandala Central College and then completed secondary education from Royal College, Colombo. During the school times, he was an active member of many societies and clubs such as UNESCO club, drama society, oriental music society, Interact club as well as in SAGA orchestra. In 2007, he joined with 495 Muthuhara Lama Samajaya. He also excelled in cricket and rugby.

Education In 2016, Perera completed a National Diploma in Training and Human Recourse Development from Chartered Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka (CIPM). Later, he graduated from University of Colombo with a Diploma in Travel and Tourism Economics and Hotel Management in 2016/17. In 2017, he followed a Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs in Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI). In 2007, he involved for the documentary The Ethnic Conflict directed by Devinda Fernando. On 22 November 2009, Perera received the Awarded as the Best theater music director at Sarasavi Nirmana All island dram competition which was held at John De Silva Memorial Theater. As an actor, he worked in the university theater for the dramas Edath Ada Wage Dawasak, Sanda Thaniwela and Sohon Gala. The organization focuses on value based education, knowledge and skills development as well as sustainable development.

On 1 March 2013, he was awarded with the “International Human Rights Hero award 2012” at the 9th International Human Rights Youth Summit held at Brussels, Belgium.

Apart from various social activities, he has been in part of several volunteer services including, ICC Cricket World Cup Secretariat, Media unit for 2010 ICC World Twenty20, Rotaract club, recycling ocean plastics, drug free world international, Nena Guna Weduma Sisu Diriya educational project, habitat for humanity and Commonwealth Asia youth program.

In 2020, he addressed at the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in drafting the official Youth Declaration of the summit. In 2022, Perera involved in improving the SDGs during the "MY WORLD global survey" for the United Nations. In 2023, he involved as a member of the organising committee of the Sama International Choral festival. Currently, he works as a regional advisor for South Asia in the Climate Action Champions Network.