Shanthi Sachithanandam

Shanthi Sachithanandam was a Sri Lankan human rights activist, social activist, political activist, architect, researcher and writer.

Biography Shanthi was born in Echchamodai, Jaffna. She later relocated to Colombo. She pursued her primary and secondary education at the St. Bridget's Convent, Colombo. She was also one of the victims of the 1983 Black July riots, where she recounted experiences over her belongings and documents being set ablaze by mobs and rioters.

Career She pursued her higher education at the University of Moratuwa in the architecture faculty. During her higher studies at the University of Moratuwa, she faced challenges pertaining to mingling with fellow peers who were segregated by different political ideologies. She formed Viluthu Centre for Human Resource Development, a non-governmental organization and she served as its Executive Director for a long stint. She was also the founder of ‘Mantru’, a non-governmental organization based in Batticaloa, where she engaged in numerous social development projects catering to the Eastern Province. During her early years, she also worked as a coordinator at the United Nations Office. She contested at the 2010 Sri Lankan parliamentary election from the Batticaloa Electoral District as an independent candidate.

Death She died on 27 August 2015 after a long battle with cancer at the age of 58.