Prof. Pradeep Weerasinghe of the University of Colombo has been appointed main organiser for the Badulla electorate by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).
Party leader Sajith Premadasa presented the appointment letter to Prof. Weerasinghe, entrusting him with political and policy operations in Badulla after his previous tenure as the SJB's main organiser for Hali Ela.
Educated at Badulla Central College and Uva Provincial School, Prof. Weerasinghe maintained active involvement in regional welfare initiatives from his youth.
He led local community projects during his school days through leadership roles in the All Ceylon Buddhist Students Federation and the Badulla Hospital Health Care Unit, before pioneering community radio initiatives across the Uva Province.
As a senior professor in the Department of Mass Media Studies at the University of Colombo, Prof. Weerasinghe has established a distinguished research record within the national university system.
He received the Vice Chancellor's Award for Research Excellence at the University of Colombo in 2025 and has secured Senate Awards for Research Excellence consecutively since 2023, while regularly hosting broadcast discussions on social issues.
Prof. Weerasinghe brings extensive public sector experience, having served as a National Communications Consultant for the Asian Development Bank Health System Enhancement Project and as a director at the Regional Development Bank.
His career includes chairing the National Media Reforms Secretariat, managing programmes at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, and serving as an international expert at the Beijing International Radio and Television Institute in China.
Having managed policy training and strategic planning as an SJB Working Committee member and Hali Ela organiser since 2023, Prof. Weerasinghe represents a broader shift toward deploying academics in frontline politics.
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