Jayathma Wickramanayake
Jayathma Wickramanayake | |
|---|---|
Wickramanayake at the UN | |
| United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth | |
| Assumed office 17 July 2017 | |
| Appointed by | António Guterres |
| Preceded by | Ahmad Alhendawi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 November 1990 Bentota, Sri Lanka |
| Education | Visakha Vidyalaya |
| Known for | Human Rights Activism |
Jayathma Wickramanayake (born 22 November 1990) is a Sri Lankan born international civil servant who currently serves as the United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth. Appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in June 2017, she succeeds Ahmad Alhendawi of Jordan, who served as the first Envoy on Youth from 2013 to 2017.
Prior to taking her role as the Envoy, Wickramanayake led youth development efforts both on an international and national level in her home country, Sri Lanka. In this regard, she co-founded the youth organization Hashtag Generation, aimed at increasing the civic and political engagement of Sri Lankan young people, particularly young women. Wickramanayake also served as the country's first-ever Youth Delegate and actively participated in the establishment of World Youth Skills Day.