Vipula Wanigasekera

Last updated

Vipula Wanigasekera is a Sri Lankan tourist official who was previously Diplomatic Envoy, Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism Authority / Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Convention Bureau. In the 1990s, he worked at Hecht Heyworth & Alcan UK, Sherman Sons, Deldem Group HK. He is also an author on socio political analysis, a consultant business diversifier and academic. He became a meditation teacher, EU wellness tourism expert and Reiki healer. [1] [2] [3] [4] He is former Senior Lecturer for University of Kelaniya, Open University of Sri Lanka, Plymouth University, UK and lecturesg at Edith Cowan University, Perth/Sri Lanka.

Contents

Education and career

Wanigasekera, a product of Royal College, Colombo, holds a degree from the Chartered Institute of Marketing - UK, an MBA from the PIM - University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and PhD in philosophy from IIC University of Technology. He is also a qualified Carnatic musician from the Institute of Fine Arts, London.

Career

He worked for 15 years as Trading Manager - Hecht Heyworth & Alcan UK, Shipping Manager -Sherman Sons, and Sales Manager - Deldem Group HK before becoming Director of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board [5] in the mid-1990s. He was later seconded to the Sri Lankan foreign office and held diplomatic positions in Malaysia as Counsellor and Norway as Consul General/Head of the Mission since 1997, having established the first Sri Lankan Diplomatic Mission in Oslo in 1999. [6] [7] Later in Sri Lanka, he held the position of CEO, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau [8] [9] [10] from 2005 to 2016 with a two-year concurrent post as Director General of the Sri Lanka Tourism Authority from 2011 to 2013, [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] both under the Ministry of Tourism. [16] He entered academia full time in 2016 [17] serving Plymouth University UK and Edith Cowan University, Perth. His PhD is in Spiritual tourism in relation to Buddhist philosophy and modern non dual concept. Following the launch of his book Pointers to Enlightenment he began to offer meditation and healing sessions for spiritual seekers based on Non dual and Buddhist teachings. [18] [19]

Wanigasekera was a columnist on socio cultural affairs but curtailed his work from time to due to changing situation in Sri Lanka.[ citation needed ] He published a book with a controversial cover Pointers to Enlightenment in 2013 and embarked on spiritual work offering meditation sessions specially for tourists while visiting Sri Lanka. He later extended this service to other countries including Australia. [20] [21] [22] [23]

Wanigasekera has been featured as a resource person in spiritual discussions on TV which came to a halt on the notion that his version is too modern and out of the box. His you-tubing is attracting a large number of people while being subject to criticism. [24] [25] [26]

Research

Controversies

Wanigsekera's articles in newspapers, Youtube interviews [33] [34] [35] TV interviews on spirituality, involvement in music, [36] his book Dabbling with the Devil [37] and his research on various topics, have raised questions on his role as an author, spiritual teacher and healing therapist.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Sri Lanka</span>

The culture of Sri Lanka mixes modern elements with traditional aspects and is known for its regional diversity. Sri Lankan culture has long been influenced by the heritage of Theravada Buddhism passed on from India, and the religion's legacy is particularly strong in Sri Lanka's southern and central regions. South Indian cultural influences are especially pronounced in the northernmost reaches of the country. The history of colonial occupation has also left a mark on Sri Lanka's identity, with Portuguese, Dutch, and British elements having intermingled with various traditional facets of Sri Lankan culture. Additionally, Indonesian culture has also influenced certain aspects of Sri Lankan culture. Culturally, Sri Lanka possesses strong links to both India and Southeast Asia. For over 2,500 years, India and Sri Lanka have nurtured a legacy of historical, cultural, religious, spiritual, and linguistic connections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mangala Samaraweera</span> Sri Lankan politician (1956–2021)

Mangala Pinsiri Samaraweera was a Sri Lankan politician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Hero of Sri Lanka</span> Highest award of Sri Lanka, bestowed by the president

National Hero is a status an individual can receive in Sri Lanka for those who are considered to have played a major role in fighting for the freedom of the country. The status is conferred by the President of Sri Lanka. The recipients of the award are celebrated on a Sri Lankan national holiday, National Heroes’ Day, held annually on 22 May. Every year, the President and general public pay tribute by observing a two minutes silence in their memory. The individuals are also celebrated on Sri Lanka Independence Day, held on 4 February. In this, the President or Prime Minister will typically address the nation with a speech honouring the National Heroes. The award has only been awarded to Sri Lankan citizens, but is not limited to this group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalpitiya</span> Town in North Western, Sri Lanka

Kalpitiya is a coastal town located in western region of, Puttalam District. The Kalpitiya peninsula consists of a total fourteen islands. It is developing as a tourist destination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harsha de Silva</span> Sri Lankan politician

Harsha de Silva is a Sri Lankan economist and politician. He is a Member of Parliament for the Colombo District and former Non-Cabinet Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution; State Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs; and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. He is a member of Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nalanda, Sri Lanka</span> Village in Matale District, Sri Lanka

Nalanda is a village in Sri Lanka. It is located within Matale District in Central Province. Nalanda Gedige, a stone temple which is considered the geographical centre of Sri Lanka is located in Nalanda Village. Nalanda is a Grama Niladhari Division in Naula Divisional Secretariat. Population of the village is 945 in 2019. Nalanda has a rest house operated by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bodu Bala Sena</span> Buddhist extremist organization in Sri Lanka

Bodu Bala Sena, also abbreviated as BBS is a far-right anti-liberalist, and ultranationalist Sinhalese Buddhist organization, and a break-away faction from the right-wing nationalist Jathika Hela Urumaya party. The BBS generally opposes pluralist and democratic ideologies, and criticizes non-extremist Buddhist monks for not taking action against the rise of other religions within Sri Lanka.

Arundika Fernando is a Sri Lankan politician, and a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. He is affiliated to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

Kulappu Arachchige Don Dhammika Perera, commonly known as Dhammika Perera, is a Sri Lankan billionaire businessman and politician. A top corporate raider, he is one of the wealthiest people in Sri Lanka, controlling 23 listed companies on the Colombo Stocke Exchange. Perera owns a controlling stake in the conglomerates Hayleys and Vallibel One, a company he founded. Through Hayleys, Perera controls Amaya Leisure, The Kingsbury and Singer while Royal Ceramics, LB Finance, and Lanka Tiles are controlled by Vallibel One. Perera has been closely linked to the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, having served as chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka from 2007 to 2010 and Transport Secretary from 2011 to 2015. He was appointed a Member of Parliament in the National List in June 2022, succeeding Basil Rajapaksa from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, briefly serving President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as his Minister of Investment Promotion from June to July 2022.

Mahamood Lebbe Alim Mohamed Hizbullah is a Sri Lankan politician and state minister. He was a minor presidential candidate in the 2019 presidential elections.

Jetwing Jaffna is a hotel in the city of Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka. The seven-storey 55 room star class hotel is located in the heart of the city on Mahatma Gandhi Road, next to Cargills Square. The hotel was built on land purchased in 1975 by N. U. Jayawardena, former governor of the Central Bank of Ceylon. Originally intended to be a fourteen-storey 76 room hotel, construction began in February 2012. Owned by Yarl Hotels, a joint venture between Jetwing Hotels and MMBL Group, the Rs. 1 billion hotel opened in April 2016.

The Sri Lankan anti-Muslim riots were a series of religious riots targeting Muslims that began in the town of Ampara located in Sri Lanka on 26 February 2018, spreading to the Kandy District from March 2 until its end on March 10, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Thowheeth Jama'ath</span> Sri Lankan Islamist terrorist group

National Thowheeth Jama'ath is a Sri Lankan Islamist jihadist militant group implicated in the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings. It is believed to have ties to the Islamic State (ISIL). President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena banned National Thowheed Jamath on 27 April 2019 and designated it as a terrorist organisation along with Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim.

Kasturi Angela Chellaraja Wilson is the Chief Operating Officer of 5hour International Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yoga tourism</span> Travel with the purpose of experiencing yoga

Yoga tourism is travel with the specific purpose of experiencing some form of yoga, whether spiritual or postural. The former is a type of spiritual tourism; the latter is related both to spiritual and to wellness tourism. Yoga tourists often visit ashrams in India to study yoga or to be trained and certified as yoga teachers. Major centres for yoga tourism include Rishikesh and Mysore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ali Sabry (Sri Lankan politician)</span> Sri Lankan politician and lawyer

Mohamed Uvais Mohamed Ali Sabry, PC, MP, also known as Ali Sabry, is a Sri Lankan lawyer and politician. He is the Current Minister of Foreign Affairs serving since 22 July 2022. He previously served as the Minister of Finance until 9 May 2022. He was a Member of Parliament, appointed from the national list of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. He also served as the Minister of Justice until 9 May 2022. He served as the defense counsel of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, chief legal adviser and President of the Muslim Federation of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.

Environmental Foundation Limited (EFL) is a public interest litigation and environmental conservation organisation in Sri Lanka. Established in 1981, EFL seeks to protect and conserve the natural environment through litigation, advocacy, awareness and youth-engagement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Sri Lankan protests</span> Series of civilian protests against the Sri Lankan government in 2022

The 2022 Sri Lankan protests, commonly known as Aragalaya, were a series of mass protests that began in March 2022 against the government of Sri Lanka. The government was heavily criticized for mismanaging the Sri Lankan economy, which led to a subsequent economic crisis involving severe inflation, daily blackouts, and a shortage of fuel, domestic gas, and other essential goods. The protesters' main demand was the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and key officials from the Rajapaksa family. Despite the involvement of several opposition parties, most protesters considered themselves to be apolitical, with many expressing discontent with the parliamentary opposition. Protesters chanted slogans such as "Go Home Gota", "Go Home Rajapaksas", and "Aragalayata Jaya Wewa". Most protests were organized by the general public, with youths playing a major part by carrying out protests at Galle Face Green.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Sri Lankan political crisis</span> Ongoing political crisis in Sri Lanka

The 2022 Sri Lankan political crisis was a political crisis in Sri Lanka due to the power struggle between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the people of Sri Lanka. It was fueled by the anti-government protests and demonstrations by the public due to the economic crisis in the country. The anti-government sentiment across various parts of Sri Lanka has triggered a state of political instability that is unprecedented in the nation's history.

References

  1. "Lecturer Profiles". ACBT. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  2. "Tourism personality retires to enter academia". www.dailymirror.lk.
  3. "Sri Lanka is gifted with tourist attractions!". www.ft.lk.
  4. "Sri Lankan Peace Talks ââ'¬" V: An Overview of the Third Round".
  5. "WWW Virtual Library - Sri Lanka: Pinnawela". www.lankalibrary.com.
  6. "news07". www.island.lk.
  7. "news07". www.island.lk.
  8. "The Island". www.island.lk.
  9. "MICE tourism gets spotlight in Budget 2016".
  10. "Sri Lanka Tourism showcase "One Island, Thousand Treasures" at IFTM Travel Fair Paris , France 2015". www.dailymirror.lk.
  11. "Top Olympic official visiting Sri Lanka".
  12. "A bureaucratic viewpoint". www.ft.lk.
  13. "Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority". www.sltda.lk.
  14. Fernando, Jehan. "Sri Lanka wins bid to host PATA". www.srilankanewslive.com.
  15. "Sri Lanka eyes conference travellers, India is a key market: official". September 22, 2015.
  16. "Tourism personality enters academia".
  17. "Our Staff". ACBT. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  18. "Nature Meditation at Ahaspokuna". www.ahaspokuna.com.
  19. "How to develop spiritual tourism". www.ft.lk.
  20. "Vipula's 'Pointers to Enlightenment' book launch on Tuesday".
  21. "'Pointers to Enlightenment' A book focused on developing spiritual tourism".
  22. "The Island". www.island.lk.
  23. "Vipula launches book on meditation and peace of mind".
  24. "GRIN - An Analytical Study of the Modern Non-Duality Concept of Modern Spirituality. Teachings of Early Buddhist Discourses". www.grin.com.
  25. "Take a break from the rat race and reenergize your body, mind and soul at the Cinnamon Wellness Retreat". June 11, 2019.
  26. "About – Non Duality and Buddhism".
  27. Vipula Wanigasekera IIC University of Technology. "An Analytical Study of Modern Non-Duality Concept with special reference to the Teachings of early Buddhist Discourses" . Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  28. "Info" (PDF). apps.dtic.mil. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  29. "DTIC ADA469835: The Anatomy of Terrorism and Political Violence in South Asia Proceedings of the First Bi-Annual International Symposium of the Center for Asian Terrorism Research (CATR) October 19-21, 2005, Denpensar, Bali, Indonesia". May 1, 2006 via Internet Archive.
  30. Vipula Wanigasekera. "Overcoming cross-cultural differences in post-war Sri Lanka: the case of Jetwing in Jaffna" . Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  31. Wanigasekera (2013). Pointers to Enlightenment. Vipula Wanigasekera. ISBN   978-955-44434-0-2.
  32. Wanigasekera. Dabbling with the Devil. Vipula Wanigasekera. p. 40. ISBN   978-955-44434-1-9.
  33. "Adapting spirituality to find a blue ocean". www.dailymirror.lk.
  34. "Role of spirituality in management".
  35. "Polity versus bureaucracy in implementation of development work". www.ft.lk.
  36. "Sithijaya Adaraya - Vipula & Resil Wanigasekera - Hiru TV Music Video Downloads". www.hirutv.lk.
  37. "'Dabbling with the Devil' -Released online". The Sunday Times. Sri Lanka. 2 December 2018.