We are deeply saddened by the passing of Deshamanya Bradman Weerakoon, a visionary leader, principled public servant, and a staunch advocate for reproductive rights.

Deshamanya Weerakoon served as the Secretary General of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) from 1984 to 1989, bringing to the global stage the same dedication and insight he had long demonstrated in Sri Lanka. Throughout his career, he remained committed to ensuring that individuals, especially women, had the right to make informed choices about their reproductive lives.

In the 1970s, as a senior government official, he was instrumental in establishing Sri Lanka’s first family planning clinics in Galle, Ampara, and Kalutara. He believed deeply in voluntary access to contraception and information, always emphasizing that Sri Lanka’s success in family planning was rooted in choice, not coercion.

His advocacy extended beyond national borders.

At the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), he led Sri Lanka’s delegation through challenging negotiations that ultimately shifted the global approach to population policy, placing individual rights, health, and development at the center.

He also served as the editor of the progress review book ‘ICPD – 15 Years On’, launched in 2009 at FPA Sri Lanka, and contributed an article titled 'The Challenge of Natural and Man-Made Disasters in Achieving ICPD Goals for Sri Lanka'.

Deshamanya Weerakoon’s legacy is one of dignity, justice, and unwavering respect for the rights of all people. We honour his life and his immense contributions to advancing reproductive health and rights both in Sri Lanka and around the world.

May he rest in peace.