Lankan Ambassador for US congratulates Sunday Times Investigative Journalist Namini Wijedasa

Sri Lankan Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe congratulated renowned Sunday Times journalist Namini Wijeydasa who was one of the recipients of the distinguished International Women of Courage Award 2025 this week. 

She received the award from the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and First Lady Melania Trump, in recognition of her fearless pursuit of truth, steadfast commitment to social justice, and transparency and accountability.

The ambassador extended a warm welcome to Ms Wijedasa at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington, D.C on Monday Head of Chancery/ Counsellor Chathuri Perera also attended the meeting.

 The IWOC Award celebrates women from around the world who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership, often at great personal risk.

This prestigious honor not only highlights Namini’s remarkable impact on investigative reporting in Sri Lanka but also reinforces the enduring diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and the United States, emphasizing the pivotal role of the Sri Lankan journalist of the caliber of Namini in promoting good governance, transparency, accountability and the Rule of Law, the Lankan embassy said. 

Ambassador Samarasinghe, at the invitation of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, attended the annual International Women of Courage Awards ceremony held at the Department of State on 01st April 2025. The event featured the presence of special-guest First Lady Melania Trump. 

The ceremony was streamed live on both the homepage and the YouTube channel of the State Department as well.