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 Major General Ranjan Wijedasa(Retd) 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, Major General Wijedasa sought blessings and then addressed the staff warmly, inspiring everyone to continue their dedication and teamwork in fulfilling the Institute’s vital vision.
Major General 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, Major General Wijedasa has been serving as the Director of Veterans’ Affairs and Rehabilitation at Army headquarters.
The Institute proudly welcomes Major General 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 L Charithma M. Patabendige Charani L Charithma M . Patabendige is an Attorney- at- Law of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. She is currently serving as an Acting Research Analyst and Research Assistant at the Institute of National Security Studies, Ministry of Defence. Charani earned the only distinction by topping her batch in the Master's in Conflict and Peace Studies (2022– 2023) from the University of Colombo, achieving the Gold Medal for Outstanding Academic Excellence. She also holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree with a second class from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and a Distinction in the Advanced Diploma in Transitional Justice from the Bandaranaike Center for International Studies.

Charani is an Alumna of the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, Washington DC. Charani’s paper got selected after a competitive reviewing process and 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. Charani also attended the “NESA-AFRICOM 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 Climate Change and Security Senior Executive Seminar from 14th to 18th November 2022 in Washington, DC (Virtual). She has also participated in Women, Peace, and Security Round Table by Invite only by Near East South Asia Center on 5th December 2022. (Virtual). Charani has obtained the certificate for completing the CADE Tier 01 – Digital Literacy Program on Internet Governance and Digital Rights, conducted by Sarvodaya Fusion in collaboration with DiploFoundation, and by the European Union.

Charani has excelled in academic conferences, winning the Best Paper Presentation Award at the First International Conference on Business Sustainability by the University of Colombo in collaboration with ZPMC in November 2024 under the track social sustainability and the Best Poster Presentation Award at the 17th International Research Conference 2024 by General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University under the track Defence and Strategic Studies.

Charani also serves as a research supervisor for undergraduate students, a resource person, a visiting lecturer, and serves as an independent reviewer. She has more than 60+ publications ranging from human rights, counterterrorism, international law, national security, prevention and mitigation of environmental crimes, gender, cyber-crimes, public policy and peace and conflict.

You can access Charani’s publications here