Kaitlyn Alcala
Director of Volunteering & Outreach
Kaitlyn Alcala is a Latina from Los Angeles, CA. Raised by a single mom and immigrant grandparents, Kaitlyn knows the importance of working hard to pursue your dreams.
Kaitlyn is currently pursuing her undergraduate studies at UC Merced, majoring in biological sciences with human emphasis and minoring in psychology. She has served as the SLYO Volunteer Coordinator since 2019 and hopes to continue to allow those in her community to volunteer and make a difference, and also unite the Sri Lankan and Latino communities in the process. Both communities are largely underrepresented and she hopes that with SLYO she can amplify those voices as well as give back to her community through events.
Kaitlyn is also a part of SLYO’s Medical Pathways Program, and plans to become a Physician Assistant. Although she loves science and health, she is also very creative and loves to crochet, bake, read and paint.
Ravindi Gunasekara
Director of Social Media Marketing
Ravindi grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, after immigrating from Sri Lanka as a young baby. Ravindi grew up with an awareness of the lack of representation of Sri Lankan culture in her community. As a result, while growing up, Ravindi’s family made it a point to become active members within the Sri Lankan community in Manitoba, setting a good example for Ravindi to follow. Participating in cultural events and shows deepened her love for her Sri Lankan culture and motivated Ravindi to follow in her dad’s footsteps and become an elected board member of the Sri Lankan Association of Manitoba. Ravindi also went on to become one of the two founding members of the University of Manitoba Sri Lankan Students’ Association.
Despite having to move away from her extended family in Sri Lanka—Ravindi never felt their absence in Winnipeg due to the strong sense of family that the tight-knit Sri Lankan community had surrounded her with since her youth.
After graduating from high school, Ravindi began executing the steps needed to become a leader in her community by securing her Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba. Ravindi is currently an MD Candidate at the Medical University of the Americas in Nevis, West Indies, and resides in the US where she is completing her 4th-year elective rotations while pursuing research in various medical specialties. Ravindi is a proud Sri Lankan-Canadian and aspires to uplift and support global Sri Lankan communities by empowering the youth.
Shany Thabrew
Director of Development
Irosha Liyanarachchi
Leadership Council Director of Sri Lanka
Irosha was born in Gampola, Kandy, Sri Lanka, and holds a degree in Mass Media from the University of Jayewardenepura.
Currently, Irosha is working as an announcer at Maha Nuwara Kadurata, a Kandyan radio station attached to the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. She also completed courses related to professional editing, recording and producing while working.
Irosha has been part of the SLYO Sri Lanka Chapter since 2011. Irosha is devoted to making a difference in Sri Lanka by helping SLYO find educational projects that need support and contribution. During her free time Irosha likes to travel the island with her family.
Prabuddi Umanda Weerasinghe
Director of SLYO USA Youth Chapter
Prabuddi Umanda Weerasinghe was born in Bangkok, Thailand and moved to the United States when she was 8. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience with a minor in Biology and Communications from American University in Washington D.C. With her dedication to science and her interest in community health, Prabuddi aspires to find a career in public health. She is passionate about community service and serves on the New Futures Alumni Committee, where she helps high school graduates transition to college life.
Even though she has a very busy schedule, she finds time to serve her Sri Lankan Community. Prabuddi got involved in SLYO when she looked for opportunities to give back to her community and her country. Currently she serves as the Director of the SLYO Junior Chapter in the Greater Washington area. Prabuddi believes that by offering youth a chance to create meaningful changes allows them to become more empowered to create changes within their own communities, and schools. “Engaging youth in community activities not only builds their leadership skills, but also helps them to feel like an integral part of a bigger purpose”.
