About
At The Insights Initiative, we believe that sustainable change begins by listening deeply and amplifying the voices of those too often unheard. In an era of widening societal divides, we are committed to fostering reconciliation and social cohesion by centering the priorities and lived realities of diverse communities.
Our Vision
We strengthen ethical, independent public interest research as a cornerstone of democratic practice, social justice, and accountable governance, in Sri Lanka and internationally. Through accessible, rigorous, and contextualised insights, we help bridge the gap between citizens and decision-makers, empowering a broad range of actors across civil society, academia, media, government, and the private sector to pursue inclusive, evidence-informed interventions.
Our research outputs function as public resources that supports collaboration, knowledge exchange, strategic dialogue, and meaningful action across sectors. The organisation also ensures the long-term continuity of the Sri Lanka Barometer — its flagship initiative — while expanding its broader commitment to amplifying voices and informing change.
Our Areas of Research
Reconciliation
Governance
Democracy
Civic Engagement
Social Cohesion
Gender Equality
Transitional Justice
Socioeconomic Development
Our Story
The Insights Initiative emerged from the need to establish a long-term institutional home for the Sri Lanka Barometer (SLB), which had been implemented under GIZ’s Strengthening Social Cohesion and Peace in Sri Lanka (SCOPE) programme until November 2025. To ensure the SLB’s sustainability, local ownership, and continuity, a group of individuals who had shaped the SLB during the SCOPE period came together to create an organisation that could steward its future.
While the SLB remains at the heart of our work, Insights also undertakes broader research in peace, reconciliation, social cohesion, and governance - areas that reflect the expertise and passion of its founding members.
People Behind Insights
Dr. Natasha Palansuriya
Executive Director/ Founding Member
Natasha holds a PhD in International Politics and has over a decade of experience in academic and development sector research. Her areas of expertise include peace and conflict, transitional justice and reconciliation, diasporas and transnational engagement, activism, governance, and democracy.
Saranie Wijesinghe
Senior Manager (Programmes)/ Founding Member
Saranie is a development professional with expertise in policy research and social development. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics (Honours) and a Master’s in Regional Development and Planning from the University of Colombo.
Dr. Mario Gomez
Director
Mario serves on the Board of Directors at Insights and is the Executive Director at the International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES), an independent think-tank in Sri Lanka. He has a doctorate in law, and has worked in academia, human rights, and peace building. He previously taught public law and legal theory, at the University of Colombo.
Dr. Mohamed Munas
Director
Munas serves on the Board of Directors at Insights and is a Senior Researcher and Team Leader for Social Cohesion at the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA). He holds a PhD from Radboud University, Netherlands. His expertise spans poverty and conflict, post-war development, transnationalism, religious identities, diaspora engagement, and evaluations.
Aaranya Rajasingham
Director/Founding Member
Aaranya is a Founding Member and Director of Insights. She brings extensive experience in peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and social justice, having previously worked on programmes that amplify youth and women’s voices in peace and reconciliation.
Jannike Riesch
Director/Founding Member
Jannike holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and Peace and Conflict Studies from Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany. Her areas of expertise include social cohesion, reconciliation, and transitional justice. Between 2022 and 2025, she has led various public discourse initiatives under the Strengthening Social Cohesion and Peace in Sri Lanka (SCOPE) programme.
Prof. Rajen Govender
Advisor
Rajen is an independent researcher, academic, and consultant with over 35 years of experience. He has published widely, authored a book, and co-edited Rethinking Reconciliation: Evidence from South Africa. He serves as Professor Extraordinaire at the University of South Africa, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), and Expert Trainer with the Afrobarometer Pan-African Network.
Radhika Hettiarachchi
Advisor
Radhika is a development practitioner, curator, and researcher with over 20 years of experience in conflict transformation, peacebuilding, and development. She has worked with development partners, government, civil society, the private sector, and the media, and has led complementary initiatives involving the arts, oral history, memorialisation, and community-based peacebuilding.
Prof. Kalinga Tudor Silva
Advisor
Kalinga is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Peradeniya, where he served for nearly four decades, including as Dean of the Faculty of Arts. He has served as Chief Editor of the Sri Lanka Journal of Social Sciences, and is a member of the Sri Lanka Academy of Sciences and the Governing Council of the University of Colombo. He has authored and co-authored several publications.
Indika Perera
Advisor
Indika is a Sri Lankan lawyer, lecturer, and storyteller whose 25-year career bridges courtrooms, classrooms, and conflict zones. Known for his work in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), anti-corruption, conflict and political transformation, he has taught across South Asia, Europe, and the US, and is a regular lecturer at the University of Kelaniya, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, and the National Defence College.