Meet our team
Board of directors
Ravee Mahadevan
President
Ravee Mahadevan is a successful Business Owner operates their own companies and handles responsibilities. He supported Tamil community through the community sponsorship program and other activities and events for Tamil community in Winnipeg. Why he left Sri Lanka 37 years ago. The fragments of my memory of Black July 1983, I wrote this brief story, why he sponsoring Tamil refugees displaced in many countries. This narrative begins in 1983, when the events of what is now called ‘Black July’ — an anti-Tamil pogrom in Sri Lanka — took place over two weeks towards the end of that month; they reverberated for decades afterwards.
He understands the situation of the fleeing refugees displaced around the world, and humanitarian support for displaced people is very essential for protection. I am working with UCTA very closely through the community sponsorship program to support refugees to resettle to Canada. I am continuing to support sponsoring refugees. Of course I am a successful entrepreneur in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It’s my time to give back to my community.
Sam M.Ratna
Vice President
Sam Ratna graduated as a Civil Engineer from East London University, London, UK. Extensive experience over 35 years in construction management and engineering in the construction industry. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in the last few years he has travelled widely with David Matas, attending several meetings with UNHCR and government authority in Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangkok, India and other countries to address the plight of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees. He is a Co-founder and Director with David Matas of the NGO I-TRAN, the International Tamil Refugee Assistance Network.
Vaishnavi Sivaram
DIRECTOR
Vaishnavi graduated from Ryerson University with a Major in History and Politics. She has been working with the Government of Manitoba for the past 7 years. Vaishnavi has also volunteered at the Canadian Centre for Victims of torture (CCVT), where she primarily provided translation and support services for Tamil refugees; many of whom were survivors of torture. Having moved to Canada from Sri Lanka as a refugee herself, Vaishnavi is passionate about assisting and supporting refugees with their resettlement process.
“Refugees” by EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
