INSS Staff

The Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the premier think tank on national security established and functioning under the Ministry of Defence (MOD), is proud to announce the appointment of Brigadier Ranjan Wijedasa WWV, RSP, USP, MHRM, MAS, LISC, ndc, psc as the 7th Director General of INSS, in addition to his present role.
The appointment took place on 14th August 2025, in a simple yet dignified ceremony held at INSS. Prior to assuming duties, Brigadier Wijedasa sought blessings and then addressed the staff warmly, inspiring everyone to continue their dedication and teamwork in fulfilling the Institute’s vital vision.
Brigadier Ranjan Wijedasa is a proud product of Dudley Senanayake Central College, Tholangamuwa, and Isipathana College, Colombo 05. He graduated from the Army Command and Staff College and earned the first order of merit at the National Defence College in 2021/2022. He was a former Secretary and Senior Directing Staff (Army) of NDC, and most recently served as Deputy Commandant of the Defence Services Command and Staff College.
Throughout his distinguished military career, He has undertaken numerous foreign trainings and visits. In academics, he holds two Master’s degrees in Human Resource Management from the University of Colombo and International and European Security from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. He also followed the Leadership International Security Course at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, Switzerland.
He is the author of The Unburied Man and Be an Officer and a Gentleman, along with several journal articles. His gallantry and dedication have been recognized with prestigious decorations, including the Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya (WWV), Rana Shura Padakkama (RSP) for acts of exceptional bravery, the Uththama Seva Padakkama (USP) for an unblemished military career, and the Deshaputhra Medal for wounds sustained on the battlefield, among a total of sixteen medals. Since 14 June 2024, Brigadier Wijedasa has been serving as the Director of Veterans’ Affairs and Rehabilitation at Army headquarters.
The Institute proudly welcomes Brigadier Ranjan Wijedasa to his new role and looks forward to his inspiring leadership in advancing INSS’s vision of research, collaboration, dialogue, and policy enhancement in the sphere of national security.

Nilmini Ulluwishewa is one of the pioneer members of the Institute of National Security Studies and she is a double Masters’ degree holder. As Director (Administration), she is responsible for executing all matters relating to Administration, Human Resource and Finance functions of the Institute. She has over 6 years’ experience in Public Sector and 14 years in Private Sector where she worked in Project Management & Investment Banking. She has vast experience and strong process knowledge in areas such as Administration, Human Resource, Project Management, Back Office Operations and Finance. She is compassionate and very interested in charity work in education for children who are less fortunate.

Charani Patabendige is an Acting Research Analyst and a Research Assistant at the Institute of National Security Studies, Ministry of Defence Sri Lanka. She is presently mentoring interns and research assistants, she is a keen researcher and a helpful supervisor for students. A versatile and self-motivated individual who topped the batch in Masters in Conflict and Peace Studies with the only Distinction of batch 2022-2023 year from the University of Colombo. She also holds a Bachelor of Laws degree with a second class from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. She holds a Distinction pass in Advanced Diploma in Transitional Justice conducted by the Bandaranaike Center for International Studies. She is also a member of the committee member for the "Review and Finalize Proposed Sri Lanka’s National Defence Policy". As a landmark achievement, she presented a paper titled, “Analyzing the Polluter Pays Principle: Enhancing Environmental Governance and Fostering Corporate Accountability in Sri Lanka” at the Environmental Security Workshop by Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies from 22-24 April 2024 in Washington, DC, United States of America. She represented Sri Lanka in the “NESAAFRICOM Workshop Series Changing Nature of Security, Transnational Threats Know No Boundaries, The Women’s Revolution: Life, Liberty, And Freedom in Bangkok, Thailand from 29th April – 7th May 2023. She also participated in Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA) Climate Change and Security Senior Executive Seminar from 14th to18th November 2022 in Washington, DC (Virtual) and participated in Women, Peace and Security Round Table by Invite only by Near East South Asia Center on 5th December 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand. She also represented Sri Lanka at the ‘International Scientific-Practical Conference on Regional Security in Asia in the Context of Preventing New Challenges and Threats’ conducted by the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) organized by the Republic of Kazakhstan on the 14th of July 2021. She is also serving in the capacity of Honorary Associate Research Fellow. She is presently a member of the National Authority to Prevent Violent Extremism. She has a plethora of international and national publications. Her publication timelines showcase her career and personal improvement, a testament to her diverse research interests.