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Our Panel
Krishnasamy Thurkadevi A community development and humanitarian practitioner passionate about empowering individuals and communities through compassion, inclusion and meaningful engagement. Growing up Tamil in Vavuniya in the middle of the war, Thurkadevi speaks from a place of lived experience, carrying in her body and her work the weight of what violence does to a community and what art and care can begin to restore.
Nerissa Jayasingha Co-owner of Lankan Tucker, a Melbourne-based catering organisation rooted in Sri Lankan food, community and culture. As a Burgher Sri Lankan, Nerissa knows what it is to have your identity questioned by the very community you belong to, to be told, in ways subtle and direct, that you are not quite Sri Lankan enough. She brings that experience to the table with honesty and warmth.
Meyvan Hettige Meyvan is a policy professional with expertise across youth, housing and social policy, and has worked across local and State Government. Growing up within the Sri Lankan Sinhalese diaspora in Melbourne, he speaks about how his understandings have shifted over time, and what it means to try and hold complexity when the narrative around you rarely asks you to.
The first session of the Conversation Series will be facilitated by our Founder, desh Balasubramaniam.
Support Us
Stand in solidarity with the community by joining us for this special event. Your presence helps strengthen connection and shared understanding as we build community together. Opportunities will be available to support our work through purchases or donations, further contributing to the cause.
Art by Manju Balasubramaniam
Sheree Duncan A community engagement and program development practitioner with a background in leading grassroots projects. Passionate about creating inclusive spaces where people feel valued, heard and empowered. An Australian who chose to show up, Sheree cycled 1,000km across Sri Lanka last year and is doing it again this year, riding not just through landscapes but toward communities she has come to deeply care about. She speaks to what it means to become an ally, slowly and seriously.