The Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust (NTT) is Sri Lanka’s only local grantmaker dedicated to advancing social justice and peace. We have gone beyond being “just a grantmaker” by standing with communities in times of crises, investing in grassroots organisations, and challenging inequitable systems that silence marginalised voices. Born of a vision to nurture local leadership, we have supported hundreds of community-based, women-led and youth-driven initiatives that transform lives and strengthen civic space across the island.
Our approach is rooted in trust, empathy, and risk-taking—funding where others will not, fostering resilience amidst repression, conflict, and economic instability. Recognised globally as a “local organisation to watch” by DEVEX in 2024, we remain committed to shifting power and ensuring that civil society in Sri Lanka is not only sustained but thrives as a force for equity, dignity, and justice.
The Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust (NTT) is Sri Lanka’s only local grantmaker dedicated to advancing democracy, human rights, and social justice.
We have gone beyond being “just a grantmaker” by standing with communities in times of crisis, investing in grassroots organisations, and challenging inequitable systems that silence marginalised voices. Born of a vision to nurture local leadership, we have supported hundreds of community-based, women-led, and youth-driven initiatives that transform lives and strengthen civic space across the island.
Our approach is rooted in trust, empathy, and risk-taking—funding where others will not, enabling innovation, and fostering resilience amidst repression, conflict, and economic instability.
Recognised globally as a “local organisation to watch” by DEVEX in 2024, we remain committed to shifting power, amplifying community voices, and ensuring that civil society in Sri Lanka is not only sustained, but thrives as a force for equity, dignity, and justice.
We are dedicated to advancing social justice and peace by fostering collective responsibility and collaboration. We leverage strategic partnerships with civil society, academia and the philanthropic ecosystem to share knowledge, resources and risks, driving impactful initiatives that promote justice and progressive societal transformation.
Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam was a visionary lawyer, legislator, and peacemaker whose life was dedicated to building a just and inclusive Sri Lanka. A scholar of constitutional law, he was a tireless advocate for human rights, minority protections, and pluralism. As a legislator, he worked to advance democratic reform and reconciliation, guided by the belief that peace must be rooted in dignity and equality for all communities.
In one of his most powerful interventions in Parliament, Neelan described the sanctity of life as the most fundamental value, without which all other rights and freedoms become meaningless. Rejecting the glorification of death—whether on the battlefield or elsewhere—he urged Sri Lanka to celebrate and safeguard life as the foundation of democracy, peace, and justice. These words, delivered during a debate on the state of emergency in 1999, continue to resonate as a moral compass for the nation, reminding us that the true measure of progress is not conquest or power, but the protection of human dignity and the right of every individual to live free from fear and violence.
Sithie Subahaniya Tiruchelvam was a distinguished attorney and corporate leader. She co-founded the esteemed law firm Tiruchelvam Associates with her husband, Neelan, and was its managing partner, specialising in corporate, labour, tax, and regulatory law, while also serving on major corporate boards, including John Keells Holdings and Galadari Hotels.
Sithie’s greatest legacy lies in her unwavering commitment to human rights and intellectual engagement. She offered a rare space where activists, scholars, and young leaders from all backgrounds could connect, be inspired and be mentored. In 2000, a year after Neelan’s tragic assassination, Sithie founded NTT to honour and carry forward his legacy of peace, human rights, and constitutional reform in Sri Lanka. She recognised that the country needed more than conventional philanthropy; it required an independent, indigenous grantmaking organisation deeply rooted in community realities and guided by the value of sanctity of life.
