Sathya Karunarathne
As a Senior Policy Analyst at the Advocata Institute, her work focuses on labour reform and social protection in Sri Lanka. She also co-leads Advocata’s Fundraising and Programs, contributing to the organisation’s financial resource mobilisation.
She is a policy researcher with over seven years of experience spanning research, advocacy, strategic communications, and public policy. She has a strong track record in public speaking, report writing, and translating complex policy issues into clear and accessible insights.
Sathya first joined the Advocata Institute in 2020, where she worked on research and advocacy until 2022, before rejoining the organisation in 2025. Prior to this, she served as Strategic Communications Manager at Adfactors Public Relations, where she led the Strategic Communications Unit and supported clients on policy reform advocacy, crisis communications, and reputation management. She also previously worked as an Analyst at the Ministry of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution.
Sathya holds a Master’s by Research in Public Policy from Monash University, Australia. Her Master’s thesis examined social protection outcomes under IMF interventions in the developing world, with a special focus on Sri Lanka. She also holds a BSc in International Relations from the University of London through its International Programmes and a BA in English Literature from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
She is committed to advancing evidence-based public policy and contributing to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic and social development.
