Visakesa is an interdisciplinary researcher and practitioner, working in the areas of law, justice, human rights, and creative arts. In Sri Lanka, Visakesa worked as a human rights lawyer. Later, he worked in the community legal centre sector in Australia, applying arts-based methods to deliver community legal education to culturally and linguistically diverse communities and people with intellectual disabilities. Visakesa also worked in several NSW Government Departments including the Department of Justice and the NSW Police Force as a diversity and inclusion practitioner. In 2018, he joined the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, to work as a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Law. He was a Creative Fellow at Sydney Social Sciences and Humanities Advanced Research Centre and ANU Humanities Research Centre in 2024. Visakesa has written several works of fiction and stage play scripts. He has directed three feature films: ‘Frangipani’ (2014); ‘Paangshu’ (2019); and ‘Munnel’ (2023). He has
EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy [2012], Australian National University: Do Tigers Confess? An interdisciplinary research on the use of confessionary evidence under counter-terrorism laws in Sri Lanka.
Master of Laws [2006], Australian National University
Masters of English Literature [2005], Macquarie University
Master of Mass Communication [2001], University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Bachelor of Laws [1996], University of Colombo
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Law, Multidisciplinary
Publications
An interdisciplinary study on the use of confessionary evidence in Sri Lanka, [2016] Amsterdam University Press.
Constitutionally Recognised "Other": The Fundamental Rights of LGBTI People in Sri Lanka' [2022] in Sri Lanka Journal of International Law, 2020 JIL 28, 117.
'Respectful conduct in public school community in Sri Lanka: Exploring the policy and program framework' [2021] in International Journal of Governance and Public Policy Analysis, 03, 01.
Art of Human Rights Education [2010] in Political Cross Roads, 17/1.
'There is more to bullying and harassment; Examining workplace violence within the context of fundamental rights jurisdiction of Sri Lanka' [2021], in Law in defence of human integrity, University of Colombo.
One Confession, Two Confessors: A forensic Linguistic analysis of Confessions Submitted in the High Court Cases of Nallarathnam Singarasa and Sellapulle Mahendran [2016] ICES.
Whole school culture fostering social cohesion in Sri Lanka [2020] The British Council.
Creative Equity Toolkits: Authored four Sri Lankan community-arts based case studies [2022, Diversity Arts Australia in collaboration with the British Council].
'Aragalaya: Sri Lanka’s ‘Occupy’ moment, plural political enactments, and the end of the Rajapaksas', ADS #85 Special Issue [article; co-author Tyne, Matthew].
GRANT DETAILS
Gender Justice and Security GCRF Hub Grant for an applied arts project, using film and theatre-based innovative research methods (grant co-author). A video art exhibition and a film-essay were developed and the materials were presented at academic conferences and film festivals in 2023 and 2024.
Law Society & Trust (Sri Lanka) grant to offer 15 documentary filmmaker fellowships on justice theme, targeting law undergraduates of government universities of Sri Lanka (grant author). Short documentaries developed in creative development labs were screened at public events and published online in 2023.
Right to Life (Sri Lanka) grant to develop the documentary film titled '32' on the endemic nature of torture in police custody in Sri Lanka (grant author). The film and a video installation are currently being developed.
NSW Office of Women grant to deliver a traditional classical dance-based community education program on prevention of family violence, targeting South Asian communities in Western and South Western Sydney areas (grant author, 2004). Six community-based performances were delivered in 2005.
NSW Law & Justice Foundation grant to develop and deliver a forum theatre-based community legal education program targeting migrant and refugee communities in South West Sydney areas (grant author, 2004). Five community-based performances were delivered in 2005.
CONSULTANCY
Consultant, Innovative research methodologies, Gender Justice and Security GCRF Hub UK [2019-2024]
Board of Studies Member, FGS, The University of Visual and Performing Arts, Sri Lanka [2023]
Consultant, LGBT+ equity, The Westminster Foundation for Democracy, UK [2021-2022]
Consultant, Social cohesion in education, Save the Children International [2018-2021]
Board member, Home for Human Rights, Sri Lanka [2005-2010]
