University mourns the loss of PhD student Apsara Wimalasiri
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is grieving the loss of PhD student Apsara Wimalasiri, who was killed last Sunday while visiting her home country of Sri Lanka.
“Apsara was an amazing, lovely, bubbly, friendly person,” says Dr Corinne Seals, Apsara’s PhD co-supervisor and friend. “Everyone always talked about her smiles and laughter.”
Those smiles and laughter, as well as Apsara’s passion and dedication for human rights and justice, touched many, many people at the University, in New Zealand, and around the world.
“Apsara was front and centre at the protests with the Sri Lankan community in New Zealand, and part of her reason for travelling home to visit was to support her community at home during the current situation in Sri Lanka,” Dr Seals says.
Apsara was a valued member of the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, the Samoan Studies programme, and the School of Psychology. Apsara’s PhD focused on both Sinhalese (a language spoken in Sri Lanka) and on Samoan, and as part of her dedication to her studies Apsara immersed herself fully in the Samoan community, learning the language, learning to cook Samoan food, and going to events with the community.
“Apsara was a keen learner of the Samoan language and an inspiration to many of our own students and people. She was well loved in the Samoan community, particularly by those who she crossed paths with in the Aoga Amata (early childhood) space,” says Dr Sadat Muaiava, Apsara’s other PhD supervisor. “Her passion to learn and understand the Samoan language was admirable.
“Our thoughts are with Apsara’s family, friends, and colleagues during this sad time. She will be sorely missed.”
“She was extremely dedicated to honouring the people she worked with,” Dr Seals says. “She had so many plans to keep reaching out to more and more people in the community, in academia, and in schools.”
Apsara was an outstanding scholar, having published two papers and presented at nearly a dozen conferences since beginning her studies in New Zealand. She received the Applied Linguistics prize for top student in 2021. Her PhD studies were also funded by a scholarship.
Her Master’s research focused on supporting multilingual teachers in New Zealand and helping them with the stigma of not having English as their first language. Her PhD research was investigating heritage language speakers—those who have language as part of their heritage.
Apsara also completed a Bachelor of Arts in English, Sociology, and International Relations at the University of Colombo Sri Lanka, and a Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) from the Open University of Sri Lanka. She also worked as a language teacher before coming to New Zealand.
“Apsara always said she felt so inspired and empowered by New Zealand, and particularly by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who she was very excited to meet at a Labour event,” Dr Seals says.
“She always said she was so happy, because coming to New Zealand to do her PhD was her lifelong dream.”
“The thoughts of the whole University community are with Apsara’s family,” says Professor Sarah Leggott, Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education. “The University is providing support to staff and students at this difficult time. Apsara was an integral part of so many different communities within our University and she will be missed by many colleagues and friends.”
Friends and colleagues of Apsara are invited to attend a vigil and commemorative event on Wednesday 4 May at 6 pm in the Tim Beaglehole Courtyard.
Benestar—our counselling service and Student Counselling are available to support staff and students.