Having successfully completed University education in Engineering over 40 years ago Navin Gooneratne embarked on his professional career joining the Private Sector. While gaining technical expertise he branched into the tourism sector in 1970 and has provided consultancy in both fields with the passage of time. Volunteering to provide services in the social sector, he acquired in-depth knowledge of rural development activities…

Professional

In 1996, he was invited by the President of Sri Lanka to head a State Agency to uplift the undeveloped Southern Region of Sri Lanka. He functioned as Chairman / Director General of the Southern Development Authority and was instrumental in preparing the Master Plan for the development of the region. The plan for Ruhunupura, now under implementation envisages the development of a Seaport which will be one of the largest in the world, with an Airport in close proximity to it which will make it a “Hub” for the transshipment of goods paving the way for the economic resurgence of the region and the country.

With the destruction of the coastline in 2004 by the Tsunami, Navin Gooneratene was invited to head the Committee to Master Plan the Ampara District in the Eastern Region of the country which was the most affected .All these professional assignments were undertaken on a honorary basis as a service to the nation.

Several of the designs carried out under his stewardship are landmarks. The 5 star Trans Asia Hotel, The Deer Park Resort, Kosgoda Beach, The National Academy of Dramatic Arts. In 2005, the Sri Lanka Tourist Board invited him to Master Plan the 3600 Acre Kalpitiya Peninsular which is the most exotic waterfront location in Sri Lanka.
Navin Gooneratne has also provided designs for projects in Japan, China and the Seychelles.

POLITICAL

He has devoted greater part of his time to political, social and cultural programs on a voluntary basis to enrich the society he interacts with. In 1994/5 Navin Gooneratne was invited to be a member of the Government Peace Delegation that initiated talks with the LTTE and served till a peace accord was signed in January 1995. He was a “Central Committee” member of the United National Party from 1975 to 1977, which was in opposition until it was returned to power in 1977. In the new millennium, he spearheaded a Gandhian movement and was the Genaral Secretary of the Swarajya Party. The Party now functions as the Swarajya Foundation where he is the Honorary Chairman. He has served in the Central Council of the
Sarvodaya Movement. He is also the Patron of the Mahathma Gandhi Centre in Colombo, and is actively involved in creating a model at rural level to give “power to the people”.

Social 

With the destruction caused by the Tsunami, Navin Gooneratne served as the Honorary Chairman of the Help Sri Lanka Consortium Trust to rehabilitate victims of the disaster and continues his efforts after completing over 500 Houses, Community Centers, Medi Clinics and Nursery Schools to help communities to recover from the tragedy.When communal violence broke out in 1983, he incorporated the Sama International Trust, a foundation for peace, with Trustees drawn from all communities and religions in Sri Lanka. The Trust promotes inter religious dialogue, provides encouragement for the Performing Arts and upliftment of under privilege communities.

CULTURAL

Navin Gooneratne’s involvement for over 25 years made it possible for hundreds of rural artistes in Sri Lanka to participate in international festivals worldwide.He is also the Founder of the Sama Ballet and the Ruhunu Ballet Troupes, encouraging the traditional dance forms of Sri Lanka. He was responsible for bringing artistes from several countries to produce the feature film “A 1000 Flowers”- an anti war film, shot in France, Thailand and Sri Lanka.
His promotion of the traditional dance, music, art and craft was recognized by the appointment as President of CIOFF Sri Lanka, its central body being affiliated to UNESCO.

ENVIRONMENTAL

His commitment to the preservation of the environment and development of nature parks brought him in contact with Lyn de Alwis- one of Asia’s leading wild life specialists, who was responsible for the concept of the “Night Safari” which was created in Singapore. Navin Gooneratne worked for several years under the guidance of Lyn de Alwis until his death, in developing several designs for Night Safaris, Nature and Bird Parks,Mangroves, Lakes and Forests.

 Global

Devoting his energies to the communication of the pristine philosophy of Buddhism, he initiated the Light of Asia Foundation. He was successful in engaging acclaimed personalities in Bollywood and Hollywood to undertake the making of the Motion Picture on the life of Prince Siddhartha until enlightenment.

Navin Gooneratne now works tirelessly towards theestablishment of the Centre of Radiation for Buddhism- a Global Village dedicated to enhancing the understanding and the practice of Buddhism, and a sanctuary to explore a simple way of sustainable and harmonious living, protecting all forms of living beings and the bounty of nature.

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