About Me

I am a native of Sri Lanka, a victim of human trafficking and modern-day slavery. I moved to the United States to escape the stigma of slavery and in search of Freedom. I published In Contempt of Fate, a memoir of my life in Sri Lanka and my experience as a slave in Lebanon, which became my entrée into a life of activism in human rights. I have worked with the Boston-based American Anti-Slavery Group and founded the Nivasa Foundation, where I served as president, spearheading its flagship campaign to aid the families of victims of human trafficking in Sri Lanka.

I address audiences across the United States about my experience as a slave and my activities as a human rights activist. I have spoken at Harvard University, MIT, University of Miami, Ohio, University of Illinois, Drew University, Quinnipiac University, Unitarian church, and Baptist church, and in 2005 testified before Congress to support the reauthorization of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. I have been interviewed by the Boston Globe, Vision Magazine, Bold Faces, and Magic 106, and appeared on Night Beat Cable Television. My story has also been published in the book Enslaved: True Stories of Modern Day Slavery, Palgrave Macmillan 2006. Speaking on behalf of the millions suffering in the grip of modern-day slavery, I inspire my audience to be concerned about the issue and to become activists in the fight for humanity and freedom.

Over the past couple of years, I took the initiative to accomplish my childhood dream of becoming an actress.  Amazingly, I got the opportunity to play a few roles in movies and commercials with a couple of leading roles. I am waiting for my big break where I get to play a lead role on the big screen; my last wish on the bucket list!