Human rights & dignity
Respect for each person’s voice, choices and worth.
Who we are
Local leadership.
Shared responsibility.
Founded in June 2023 and based at Kanagapuram Road, Kilinochchi, LightUp Lanka is a women-led non-governmental and volunteer organization working with children, women, youth and marginalized communities across Sri Lanka’s Northern Province.
OUR PURPOSE
A more inclusive future,
shaped together.
We help women, children and young people build skills, understand their rights and shape stronger communities.
Founded in June 2023, LightUp Lanka is a women-led organization based in Kilinochchi. We work with women, children and young people across the Northern Province.
Through education, advocacy and practical training, we help people build skills, understand their rights and take part in community life.
OUR VALUES
The principles that guide us.
Women-led change
Space for women’s ideas, participation and leadership.
Education & capacity
Knowledge and skills that support informed decisions.
Community solidarity
Progress shaped with people and rooted in local knowledge.
OUR LEADERSHIP
Women leading
with their communities.
Local leadership and volunteer participation shape LightUp Lanka’s work.
Founder & Director
Dinoja Navarathnarajah
Founded LightUp Lanka in June 2023. Leads work on gender equality, human rights, digital safety and community development in the Northern Province.
Senior Program Manager & Project Coordinator
Nilavini Thavapalan
Coordinates programmes, digital safety advocacy and community field operations, working with volunteers and local partners.
Director & Education Facilitator
Vidurshi Victor
Supports education, teaching and capacity-building programmes, helping participants develop practical skills and confidence.
Women-led
Volunteer-powered.
Community-rooted.
Kilinochchi
Northern Province.
Sri Lanka.
People first
Learn aboutChildren, women, youth
and marginalized communities.
our organization
HOW WE WORK
Listening is
the first step.
Community outreach, educational initiatives and practical workshops create opportunities to learn, participate and connect. Women’s experiences, young people’s ideas and local knowledge guide our approach.
Our work spans responsible business, livelihoods, digital safety, youth leadership, community wellbeing and emergency support.
Our approach to impactPARTNERS & NETWORKS
Connected by a shared purpose.
Implementation partnerChrysalis
Collaboration on responsible business conduct and women’s and youth livelihood training.
Programme fundingEuropean UnionSri Lanka & the Maldives
Support for human rights in business and livelihood empowerment initiatives.
Network membership3ZERO HouseSri Lanka Network
LightUp Lanka is a member of the 3ZERO House Sri Lanka Network.
Centre for Equality and Justice (CEJ)Colombo & Northern Province
Partnered on community workshops in Kilinochchi addressing online hate speech, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and human rights defenders (2023), as well as the joint 2025 CEDAW shadow report on technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
DreamSpace AcademyLearn to Discern (L2D) · IREX PRO-INFO
Collaborated on cross-regional youth innovation exchange (2023) and the Learn to Discern (L2D) Media Literacy Training in Kilinochchi (2024) supported by IREX and USAID Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Red Cross Society · Kilinochchi BranchKilinochchi & Mullaitivu Relief
Joint field coordination and emergency relief delivery across Vattakachchi, Mayavanur and five GN divisions in Visuvamadu during the December 2025 Cyclone Ditwah flood response.
University of Jaffna · Thenmaradchi Student Union & Rotaract VavuniyaUniversity volunteer networks
Collaborated with the University of Jaffna Thenmaradchi Student Union and the Rotaract Club of the University of Vavuniya to pack and distribute Cyclone Ditwah emergency dry rations in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu (December 2025).
IN THE PUBLIC RECORD
Local participation.
Wider connections.
CIVIL-SOCIETY SUPPORT
A voice in digital-rights advocacy.
LightUp Lanka appears among the supporting organizations in CEJ and Equality Now’s shadow report for Sri Lanka’s 2025 CEDAW review.
View the supporter listDOCUMENTED DISTRICT PARTNERSHIP
Community connections in Kilinochchi.
CEJ’s Annual Report 2023 lists Light Up Lanka in its Kilinochchi district-partner section, documenting the relationship for that reporting period.
Open CEJ’s annual reportNETWORK MEMBERSHIP
Part of the 3ZERO community.
The 3ZERO House Sri Lanka directory includes LightUp Lanka and describes its women-led awareness, training and advocacy focus.
View the member profileBUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE FUTURE
Better futures begin together.
Your time, skills and ideas can help create new possibilities. Start a conversation with our team.