Kasun Wijayagurusinghe (he/him) was recently named a Joseph Cohen Equity and Justice Fellow for 2023. We sat down with Kasun to learn more about him.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Sri Lanka. An island of magical proportions, once known as Serendib, Taprobane, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, and Ceylon. Sri Lanka is famous for its exotic beach resorts, flavorful cuisine, tea production, and incredible biodiversity amongst diverse landscapes.
I am the youngest in my family. I grew up very close to my parents and my sisters. After completing high school, I got the opportunity to attend Marshall University. Before coming to the U.S., I never heard of West Virginia. As a young teenager, who travelled across the world to find a new home, I was quite surprised when I arrived in West Virginia. But the last 10 years in West Virginia have been nothing but good memories.
After finishing my undergraduate and master’s in accounting, I worked in a multinational accounting firm in the U.S., Cayman Islands, U.K., & Sri Lanka. Currently, I am focused on pursuing my doctoral degree in Information Systems.
What are you most looking forward to about this work?
I have mostly worked in the finance sector in my previous career opportunities. This fellowship is an important opportunity for me to gain experience in the nonprofit sector. As a person of color from a developing nation, I understand the importance of civil rights, proper policy reformations, and access to basic human needs. Hence, I look forward to learning the importance of the ACLU and the procedures they follow to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to everyone.
What issue areas will you be working on with the ACLU this summer?
I will be working closely with the policy department at ACLU-WV during my fellowship. However, the Joseph Cohen Equity and Justice Fellowship also allows me to work with various other departments. Currently, I am working with the Advocacy Director in relation to criminal legal reforms. I look forward to all the amazing experiences that I will be able to gain through this fellowship. I am also grateful for all the support and guidance that I am receiving from the ACLU staff.
What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?
I am a person who strongly believes that traveling is the best way to educate and improve yourself. Whenever I have spare time, I make sure to utilize that spare time to go explore a new place and meet new people. I love learning about different cultures, history, and their stories. Apart from traveling, I like to stay active. I like working out in groups, cycling, and hiking. However, I also love to try new cooking recipes and try different cuisines whenever possible.