Sinduja Umandi Wickramasinghe Jayaratne
Fellow Researcher and Lecturer
Ms. Sinduja Umandi W. Jayaratne is a Research Fellow and Lecturer at the Rabdan Security and Defence Institute (RSDI). She is an accomplished Sri Lankan scholar-practitioner specializing in intelligence in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency, strategic intelligence in small states, intelligence reforms, and irregular threats, such as information operations, terrorism, violent extremism, and proxy warfare.
She brings nearly fifteen years of experience spanning intelligence analysis, academia, research, humanitarian engagement, and strategic advisory roles. Importantly, she brings a rare scholar-practitioner perspective, having served as a Commissioned Officer in the Sri Lanka Army, retiring at the rank of Major.
She is a member of the International Advisory Board of the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS), Greece. She also serves as a Non-Residential Senior Visiting Scholar at the Center for National Security Studies, MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (MSRUAS), India. She is also on the editorial board of the Journal of European and American Intelligence Studies.
Prior joining RSDI, Ms. Jayaratne was a Senior Researcher at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS), Sri Lanka, and a Lecturer in Department of Strategic Studies at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. She has also served as a Research Fellow at the Michael J. Morell Center for Intelligence and Security Studies at the University of Akron, USA.
Ms. Jayaratne is an alumna of the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA), National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
Qualification
- Master of Science (Strategic Studies), S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University
- Bachelor of Science in International Relations, University of London (London School of Economics and Political Science)
Research Interests
- Intelligence in Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency
- Strategic Intelligence in Small States
- Intelligence Reforms
- Irregular Threats (Information Operations, Terrorism, Violent Extremism, and Proxy Warfare)
Publications
Books
de Silva, E., & Jayaratne, S. U. W. (Eds.). (2025). The Role of Intelligence in Countering Violent Extremism. IGI Global.
Book Chapters
Jayaratne, S. U. W. (2026). Role of Women in Building Bilateral Relations between Sri Lanka and India: Sri Lankan Perspective. In Pratap Heblikar (Eds.), India-Sri Lanka Relations: Convergence, Cooperation and Partnership.
Jayaratne, S. U. W. (2025). Islamist Politics in Post-War Sri Lanka. In G. Keerawella & A. Jayawardane (Eds.), Reflections on the Continuing Crises of Post-War Sri Lanka.
Jayaratne, S. U. W., & Walakuluge, C. R. P. (2023). Countering Violent Extremism: A Critical Analysis of Singapore and Sri Lanka. In G. Cooke, C. Attanayake, & R. Iyer (Eds.), Singapore and Sri Lanka at 50: Perspectives from Sri Lanka.
Journal Articles
Jayaratne, S. U. W. (2025). Why Does Sri Lanka Need an Intelligence Reform? Journal of Applied Operational Intelligence, 1(1), 113–120.
Jayaratne, S. U. W., Senadasa, P., & Silva, O. (2023). Resurgence of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Journal of Defence Policy Analysis, 2(1), 52–64.
Aslam, M. M. B. M., & Jayaratne, S. U. W. (2023). Tech Terror: Global Networks to Globalization of Terrorism in Digital Space. SEARCCT’s Selection of Articles – Special Issue.
Jayaratne, S. U. W. (2019). Analyzing the Impact of Daesh on Terror Groups in South Asia: Case of Sri Lanka. Journal of Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute, 1, 127–140.
Commentaries
Jayaratne, Sinduja Umandi W. (2026). From Missiles to Memes: The New Frontlines of Modern Conflict. Eurasia Review.
Thomas-Llewellyn, Jacob & Jayaratne, Sinduja Umandi W. (2026). Naval Legitimacy in the Modern Era: From the Graf Spee to the IRIS Dena. Eurasia Review.
Alexander, K., & Jayaratne, S. U. W. (2025). Daesh in 2025: A Decentralised Movement with Enduring Global Reach. S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
Jayaratne, Sinduja Umandi W. (2024). Importance of Defining the Term Terrorism in Sri Lanka: Terrorism Studies Perspectives. Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies.
Jayaratne, Sinduja Umandi Wickramasinghe. (2020). Why the World Should Not Forget the Threat of Jihadism Amidst COVID-19 – Analysis. Eurasia Review.
Jayaratne, Sinduja Umandi Wickramasinghe. (2020). Is There a Clash of Civilization between the West and Islam? – Analysis. Eurasia Review.
Newspaper Article
Jayaratne, Sinduja Umandi W. (2025). SHADOWS THROUGH TIME: Intelligence: from Ancient Empires to the Modern Age. The Morning.
Jayaratne, S. U. W. (2023). Book review – Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday Massacre: Lessons for the International Community. Ceylon Today.
Conference Presentations
Jayaratne, Sinduja. (2024). Beyond the Easter Sunday attacks: Digital Terrorism and Implications for Counterterrorism in Sri Lanka. BINS 2024 Conference, Romania.
Jayaratne, Sinduja Umandi. (2023). Nexus between Ideology and Leadership in Salafi-Jihadi Militant Organizations and Its Impact on Counterterrorism: The Case of Islamic State. Global Strategy Conference 2023, Turkey.
Jayaratne, S. U. W. (2022). National Security Strategy and Priorities in Post-War Sri Lanka: Perspective on Changing Dynamics of Terrorism. The Trinco Dialogue, Sri Lanka.
Jayaratne, S. U. W., & Rathnayaka, E. (2022). Return of the Khilafat: The Impact of the Concept of Caliphate in Modern Terrorism. 15th International Research Conference, Sri Lanka.
Jayaratne, S. U. W. (2022). Analyzing the Obligation of Strategic Intelligence in Preserving National Security. 15th International Research Conference, Sri Lanka.
Hapuarachchi, N., & Jayaratne, S. U. W. (2022). Automated Criminals: Analyzing the Use of Drones in Transnational Crime. 15th International Research Conference, Sri Lanka.
Jayaratne, S. U. W. (2021, November 24). Why Sri Lankan Intelligence Needs a Reform in the Present Context. Joint Conference: FDSS-KDU & Massey University, New Zealand.
Jayaratne, S. U. W. (2021). Analyzing the Necessity of Intelligence Reform in Post-War Sri Lanka. 3rd International Conference, United States of America.
Jayaratne, S. U. W. (2021). Non-Kinetic Next-Generation War in Sri Lanka: Importance of Countering Double-Front Propaganda from LTTE and ISIS. 14th International Research Conference, Sri Lanka.
Jayaratne, S. U. W. (2020). Re-Thinking the Sri Lankan Approach to Countering Islamist Violent Extremism. 13th International Research Conference, Sri Lanka.