Anushka was a uniquely bright soul, who touched the lives of everyone she met with her kindness and joy. When she unexpectedly passed away as the result of a pulmonary embolism in the early hours of December 13th, 2020, it was a shock to all of us. Anushka touched our lives profoundly and her friends and loved ones want to create a tangible memorial to honour her memory.

UBC meant the world to Anushka, and she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2013. However for Anushka, UBC was never just about academics. She loved participating in UBC’s extra-curricular programs, such as being a: Peer Leader for the Arts Peer Mentorship Program, Concurrent Workshop Coordinator for the UBC Student Leadership Conference (SLC) in 2012, Student Leader for the UBC Community Learning Initiative (CLI) – Trek Program, VP Communications for the UBC Human Resources Management Club (HRMC), and Co-President of the Sociology Student’s Association. In 2010, she was featured in a UBC story on community service learning and volunteering. Her numerous involvements while at UBC speak to her love for the campus, dedication to community work, knack for leadership, and zest for life.

To further broaden her experiences at UBC, she joined UBC Arts Co-op Program and worked as a policy co-op student with the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada in 2013. She fell in love with working in Ottawa, and this led her to move there shortly after. She went on to obtain a Master of Information Studies from the University of Ottawa in 2016.

Anushka was very career-driven and accomplished a lot during her short life. In addition to working at Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, her career involvements included: Project Analyst with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) (October 2015 – September 2017), Project Management Officer with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs (CIRNA) (September 2017 – September 2018), Business Analyst with the Consular Services and Emergency Management Division at Global Affairs Canada (GAC) (September 2018 -Jun 2019), and Business Analysis Team Lead with Environment and Climate Change Canada, (Jul 2019 – Dec 2020).

She truly exemplified UBC’s motto “Tuum Est”. She took everything that UBC had to offer and went on to attain management and leadership positions despite only being in her late 20s. She also always took the time to mentor students and recent grads, to share her knowledge and ensure they had the tools needed to succeed. In addition to her achievements, she was the most humble, down to earth, and positive person. She would light up every room by her simple presence. Her true kindness was unparalleled, and her personality was as unique as her name. I don’t think any of us in our lifetime will meet another Anushka Samarawickrama. She has touched so many people, that there will forever be a space in all of our hearts for her.

In memory of Anushka, please consider making a donation to the UBC Arts Co-op Program. Your gift will pay tribute to Anushka’s life by supporting students following in her footsteps at UBC.