One of Western’s very own alumni is currently running for the seat of District Court Judge for the 30th Judicial District.
Roy Wijewickrama, a prosecutor for Cherokee, attended Western his freshmen year and then during summer-sessions in the mid-1990’s while home for the summer from North Carolina State University. A Haywood County native, Wijewickrama was one of many members of his family who are proud to call themselves Catamounts.
Wijewickrama’s father, Chandra, attended Western for six years and completed his MBA in 1976. Wijewickrama’s mother, Ramanee, attended Western for her freshmen year of college. Like Wijewickrama, both of his brothers, Attorney David Wijewickrama, and Dr. Rohan Wijewickrama, also attended Western for summer sessions during their undergraduate studies. Even Wijewickrama’s wife, Jodi, graduated from Western Carolina University.
Wijewickrama graduated from Tuscola High School in Waynesville in 1993. He graduated from N.C. State with a B.A. in Political Science and a Juris Doctor degree from Cleveland State University’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.
Before becoming a prosecutor in Cherokee, Wijewickrama was a partner in the Waynesville law firm, Kersten, Davis & Wijewickrama. Before joining the private practice, Wijewickrama proudly served as Assistant District Attorney for the 30th Judicial District from Sept. 2001 until Aug. 2007.
During his time with the District Attorney’s Office, Wijewickrama was on the board for Jackson County’s Child Abuse Advocacy Center, AWAKE and also led Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings with law enforcement agencies, the Department of Social Services and the District Attorney’s Office.
It is important for Wijewickrama to be running for District Court Judge because he believes that it will allow him to serve the community he was raised in, in an honorable and prestigious manner. As displayed on his campaign website, RoyforJudge.com, Wijewickrama said, “I can pledge to the people of the 30th District that if given the opportunity I will make every attempt to run an efficient courtroom where all parties will receive a fair hearing. Moreover, I will treat attorneys, law enforcement, court personnel, and members of the public with the utmost respect. It will be an honor to serve the people of the 30th Judicial District as a District Court Judge.”
Wijewickrama and his wife Jodi currently live in Waynesville with their two daughters, Laruen and Sofia.
