Bhagya Abeyratne
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Bhagya Abeyratne | |
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| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Education | Rahula National School, Godagama |
| Known for | Environmental activism |
Bhagya Abeyratne, also known as Bhagya Abeyrathna (Sinhala: භාග්යා අබේරත්න) is a Sri Lankan environmental activist. In March 2021, she received wide media attention for exposing the deforestation of the UNESCO world heritage site of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve.[1][2]
Education
[edit]Abeyratne completed her primary and secondary education at the Rahula National School in Godakawela. She completed her Advanced Level examinations in 2020.[1]
Activism
[edit]Abeyratne took part in Lakshapathi, a reality television show aired on Sirasa TV and made revelations about the Sinharaja forest.[3] She claimed that the environment surrounding the Sinharaja forest has been subjected to deforestation. Her comments regarding Sinharaja were scrutizined the relevant authorities,[4] with her residence being raided by police officers to record statements of her remarks.[5][3] The government officials denied the allegations made by Abeyratne and also threatened her to not involve regarding the issue without knowing the actual facts.[2]
She also became a talking point on social media and was compared to Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg.[citation needed] Several activists urged the government to stop the investigation and the continued harassment targeting Abeyratne.[6][7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Police questions young environmental activist: Little Bhagya unmoved by undemocratic forces". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- ^ a b Staff Writer (2021-03-17). "Girl who made revelation on destruction taking place at SL's Sinharaja forest harassed by state - (Watch)". NewsHub. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- ^ a b "Forest officials visit Lakshapathi contestant over Sinharaja issue". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
- ^ Weerasooriya, Sahan. "Moving to Burqa Governance". Retrieved 2021-03-21.
- ^ "No EIA report for constructions in Sinharaja - CEA Chairman". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2021-03-15. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- ^ "'Stop harassing Bhagya & question who destroy the environment' - Clergy & Activists". www.newsfirst.lk. Archived from the original on 2021-05-09. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- ^ "FMM condemns harassment of Bhagya Abeyratne, a young female who spoke against deforestation | Sri Lanka Brief". Retrieved 2021-03-20.
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