Ruvendrini Menikdiwela

Ruvendrini Menikdiwela is UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, taking up her appointment in January 2024.

Menikdiwela served as the Director of the UNHCR New York Office from February 2020 to December 2023. Prior to this, she held the position of UNHCR Representative in Pakistan from September 2017 to February 2020 and also previously served as the UNHCR Representative in Thailand.

Her career with UNHCR spans 36 years and includes a range of functions at UNHCR Headquarters as well as country operations in Thailand, Turkmenistan and the United States.

Menikdiwela obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Master of Laws (LLM) in European Community and Public International Law from the University of Paris II. She is fluent in English and French.