About NSHE

A collaborative initiative advancing sustainability in higher education across Sri Lanka and beyond.

Who We Are

NSHE is a collaborative initiative of academics and practitioners committed to advancing sustainability in higher education. It serves as a platform to connect academics, professionals, and institutions, while promoting sustainability in teaching, research, governance, and operations across the higher education sector.

The network brings together diverse expertise — from sustainability specialists and accounting scholars to marketing academics and governance practitioners — all united by a shared commitment to meaningful environmental and social impact.

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Academic Focus

Grounded in rigorous research and scholarly expertise across multiple disciplines.

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Local & Global

Connecting Sri Lankan institutions with global sustainability frameworks and rankings.

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Collaborative

Built on partnerships between universities, practitioners, and institutions.

Why NSHE Matters

Three urgent reasons underscore the need for a coordinated network like NSHE in Sri Lanka's higher education landscape.

01

Universities as Drivers of Transformation

Universities are key drivers of sustainable transformation — through the graduates they produce, the research they generate, and the institutional models they embody. NSHE helps them realise that potential.

02

Increasing Global Rankings Focus

There is increasing global focus on sustainability rankings such as QS and THE Impact Rankings. Institutions that embed sustainability strategically strengthen their international visibility and competitiveness.

03

Early-Stage Adoption in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan universities are still in the early stages of structured sustainability adoption. This presents a unique window to establish coordinated frameworks, policies, and practices across the sector.

Mission

"To foster a connected higher education community where sustainability is deeply embedded in everyday teaching, research, governance, and institutional practice, driving meaningful impact for society and the environment."

Collaborate. Transform. Sustain.

Steering Committee

The steering committee provides academic leadership and expertise to guide the direction of NSHE and its sustainability agenda. Click on a card to read each member's bio.

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Dr. Chalaka Fernando

Former Sustainability Manager, ANU

Sustainability and Ranking Specialist

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Dr. Chalaka Fernando

Sustainability and Ranking Specialist

Chalaka held the Environmental Sustainability Manager position at The Australian National University (ANU), Canberra and led the THE Impact Ranking and QS Environmental Sustainability integration to the University's Environmental Management Plan. He holds a PhD in Life Cycle Assessment and is a strong advocate for operationalizing sustainability.

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D

Dr. Nuwan Gunarathne

University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJP)

Senior Lecturer (Gr. I)

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Dr. Nuwan Gunarathne

Senior Lecturer (Gr. I)

Dr. Nuwan Gunarathne holds the position of Senior Lecturer in the Department of Accounting at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ), Sri Lanka. He is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka and a member of CIMA (UK). Dr. Gunarathne earned his doctorate in corporate sustainability and sustainability accounting from Griffith University, Australia. His research encompasses corporate sustainability, digitalization of sustainability reporting, waste management, and accounting education.

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Ms. Hiruni Rathwatta

Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (RUSL)

Senior Lecturer (Gr. II)

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Ms. Hiruni Rathwatta

Senior Lecturer (Gr. II)

Hiruni is currently working as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Accountancy and Finance at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (RUSL). She also serves as the representative for the Faculty of Management Studies at the university's Sustainability Centre. She completed her first degree in Accounting (Special) from USJ and holds an Associate membership in CIMA (UK). Her research interests include sustainability, accounting history, accounting from a religious perspective, and strategic management accounting.

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Ms. Warunika Hettiarachchi

Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (SUSL)

Senior Lecturer (Gr. II)

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Ms. Warunika Hettiarachchi

Senior Lecturer (Gr. II)

Warunika is a Senior Lecturer attached to the Department of Marketing Management, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. She also serves as a member of the Policy Gap Analysis of SUSL and the Process Optimisation committee under the Faculty Quality Assurance Cell. She obtained her BSc. (Special) in Marketing Management from USJ and an MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM). Warunika is a Member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing. Her research interests include sustainability marketing, hospitality and tourism management, consumer behaviour, and consumer psychology.

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