Bhagya Abeyratne
Bhagya Abeyratne | |
|---|---|
භාග්යා අබේරත්න | |
| Born | c. 2002 |
| Known for | Environmental activism |
Bhagya Abeyratne (Sinhala: භාග්යා අබේරත්න; born c. 2002), also known as Bhagya Abeyrathna, is a Sri Lankan environmental activist from Kajugaswatta, Sabaragamuwa Province.[1] In March 2021, Abeyratne received wide media attention for exposing the deforestation of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve.[1][2]
Biography
Abeyratne was born c. 2002, and attended Rahula National School.[1] In 2020, Abeyratne completed her Advanced Level examinations.[1]
In March 2021, Abeyratne took part in the reality television show Lakshapathi in which she made revelations about the deforestation of the Sinharaja forest.[3] She said that the environment surrounding the Sinharaja forest has been subjected to deforestation. Her comments regarding Sinharaja were scrutizined by 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 get involved without knowing the facts.[2]
She became a talking point on social media and was compared to Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg. Several activists urged the government to stop the investigation and the harassment of Abeyratne.[6][7]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Police questions young environmental activist: Little Bhagya unmoved by undemocratic forces". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
- 1 2 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.
- 1 2 "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.