Manusha was a Junior Researcher with the Data, Algorithms, and Policy (DAP) team at LIRNEasia. He held a Bachelor of Computing (Honours) in Computer Science with a minor in Economics from the National University of Singapore. His work focused on leveraging data science and machine learning to generate policy-relevant insights for the public good. At LIRNEasia, Manusha worked on AI governance and explored the impact of generative AI on information disorder. 
Manusha was a Junior Researcher with the Data, Algorithms, and Policy (DAP) team at LIRNEasia. He held a Bachelor of Computing (Honours) in Computer Science with a minor in Economics from the National University of Singapore. His work focused on leveraging data science and machine learning to generate policy-relevant insights for the public good. At LIRNEasia, Manusha worked on AI governance and explored the impact of generative AI on information disorder. 
Joined LIRNEasia in July, 2024 as a data science intern, Nithusikan Thasavaran contributed to the TAF Media Disinformation project, applying his skills to address challenges in media integrity and combatting misinformation. Nithusikan is a final-year undergraduate specializing in Computer Engineering at the Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, where he is pursuing a BSc Eng Hons. With a keen interest in artificial intelligence and machine learning, he was particularly focused on advancements in natural language processing. 
Pasindu was an intern at LIRNEasia’s Data, Algorithms, and Policy (DAP) team, where he contributes to the LACUNA project, bringing his expertise in data science to tackle real-world challenges. Pasindu Rangana is a final-year undergraduate from the Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at the University of Peradeniya, pursuing a BSc. (Hons.) in Computer Engineering. His academic interests lie in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computer vision. 
Krithiga joined LIRNEasia in May, 2024 and served as a communications intern at LIRNEasia for four months. Her responsibilities included updating communication monitoring databases regularly, helping to create and edit social media content, providing logistical support for events, assisting in project-related communication campaigns, monitoring social media metrics, assisting with website management, and formatting reports. She was a first year undergraduate in software engineering. 
Dayan Surendranathan worked as a Senior Researcher at LIRNEasia. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences from Quest University (British Columbia), focusing on computational mathematics and critical theory applied to security and intelligence studies. Before joining LIRNEasia, Dayan’s experience included extensive work in public policy research, particularly in political media. He also provided consulting services for various political parties and NGOs in Canada and Sri Lanka, specialising in elections analytics. Recently, he worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company, advising clients in sectors such as apparel, FMCG, sustainability, public finance, and digital transformation across Asia. 
Lainitha Krishnakumar is currently interning with the Data, Algorithms, and Policy (DAP) team, focusing on data science, machine learning, and deep learning. She started her journey at LIRNEasia during her Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Moratuwa. She is actively involved in data engineering for the Lacuna project, specifically studying time series forecasting and LSTM models to create a machine-learning dataset on household electricity consumption in Sri Lanka. With her academic background and passion, she is excited to explore how data-driven solutions can address complex challenges and drive innovation, expressing a strong passion for machine learning and data analysis. 
Thilakna Kumaratunga joined LIRNEasia as a data science intern as a part of her internship associated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Honours, specialised in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Moratuwa. She is a member of the Data, Algorithms and Policy (DAP) team. Her research interests include machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing. She is currently engaged in a project that utilises machine learning techniques to analyse satellite imagery data, generating geospatial maps specifically tailored for studying the urban heat island effect in Sri Lanka and providing valuable insights for policymaking. 
Anah Cassim is currently a research intern at LIRNEasia with an interest in poverty and public policy based research. Her passion for this field was stoked by her experience as a competitive debater and involvement in Model United Nations as a journalist. Prior to joining LIRNEasia, Anah was a communications intern at Advocata Institute where she gained valuable insight into the workings of think tanks and the process of advocacy. 
Piyumi Fonseka served as the Communications Manager at LIRNEasia, where she led and executed strategic communication initiatives. She was responsible for distilling complex policy research into accessible and engaging content for diverse audiences. Before transitioning to strategic communications, she worked as the Deputy Editor – Investigations at the Daily Mirror, Sri Lanka’s most circulated daily English print outlet, where she specialized in social issues investigations. Since 2014, she covered many local and regional issues. Piyumi is currently pursuing her Master’s in Media Research at the University of Colombo. 
Ali worked at LIRNEasia as a research intern from June-August 2023. He is a rising junior at the University of Chicago pursuing bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science. At UChicago, he is involved with the Environmental Research Group, which seeks to increase sustainability in Chicago through data-driven solutions. He is also a member of TAMID, which offers consulting services to startup businesses in Israel. Prior to working with LIRNEasia he was a campaign intern for Lafazan for Congress. 
Isuruni joined LIRNEasia as a Research Manager and Statistician in June 2023. She came with 19 years of experience from the market research industry, having worked at leading market research agencies in Sri Lanka in the capacity of a senior manager and in a private company as the Manager-Research where she built the research division. Her expertise lies mainly in the field of customised quantitative research where she has designed and handled many large-scale studies with all-island coverage. Isuruni holds a BSc (Honors) specialised in Statistics, and is also an Associate Member of The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM – UK). She is also a visiting lecturer at the Department of Statistics of the University of Colombo. 
Viren joined LIRNEasia as a Junior Researcher in May 2023, where he worked on the Social Safety Nets project and was involved in multiple initiatives during his time there. He graduated in June 2021 with a BSc (Honours) Economics from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. Following which, he completed his Masters at King’s College, London in September 2022 (MA International Political Economy). Viren was awarded Honorary Life Membership from the University of St. 
Safa served as a Communications Intern at LIRNEasia between March and June 2023, committed to democratising policy and research for the general public. She was the youngest member of the UNOCT’s first regional Youth Engagement and Empowerment to prevent and counter violent extremism in South Asia and represented Sri Lanka on a global stage. She was the Founder and Executive Director of Harmony, a youth organisation with a pledge to combat food insecurity between 2020 and 2022. As part of her efforts to advocate for gender equality, she worked with the Sisterhood Initiative, a grassroots organisation committed to uplifting Muslim women’s rights in Sri Lanka between 2021 and 2022. Alongside these pursuits, Safa has volunteered with and represented organisations such as Youth STEM 2030, BridgingtheGap Ventures and the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society as a youth delegate. 
Chanuka was a Researcher with the Data, Algorithms, and Policy (DAP) team at LIRNEasia. He holds a BSc (Honours) in Computer Science from the University of Kelaniya and has a keen interest in machine learning and artificial intelligence, particularly in the field of computer vision. During his time at LIRNEasia, Chanuka contributed to several cutting-edge projects at the intersection of technology and public policy. His work focused on using remote sensing for public policy applications and developing machine learning datasets related to climate change and energy. He played a key role in the Lacuna project, contributing to data engineering efforts to build a machine-learning dataset on household electricity consumption in Sri Lanka. 
Zewei (Whiskey) worked at LIRNEasia as a research intern during the summer of 2022. While at LIRNEasia he worked on research to understand the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic in Asia. Originally from Shenzhen, China, he was at the time an undergraduate at the University of Chicago studying sociology and statistics. Previously he was also a student at Wesleyan University where he attended the College of Social Studies. He is an assistant manager at an independent news site tracking and analyzing China’s latest legal changes made at the top legislative level. 
Kavisha worked at LIRNEasia as an intern during 2022. At the time she was a third year undergraduate at the University of Colombo majoring in Economics. Her research interests include Gender Economics and Policy Implementation and Regulation.