In loving memory of Amodha Ratnayeke

On Tuesday, January 13th, 2026, we lost one of Corner Store Network's founding board members, Amodha Ratnayeke. We are deeply saddened by the loss of an amazing human.

Amodha was many things: a passionate environmentalist, an educator, a technologist, a mentor, a mother, a friend, and a fierce believer in fairness, dignity, and community. From the very beginning of Corner Store Network, she brought clarity, kindness, and a deep commitment to using her skills in the service of people and planet.

Born in Sri Lanka, Amodha migrated to Australia in 1990. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Colombo, specialising in environmental science, and a Graduate Diploma in Education from Monash University. Her academic career saw her teaching Ecology and Animal Behaviour at both the University of Colombo and Victoria University in Melbourne, sharing her deep love of the natural world with generations of students.

Later, Amodha brought that same care and intelligence into the technology sector, working at Infoxchange, a technology-focused social enterprise supporting the community sector. She was drawn to tech not for prestige or status, but for its potential to enable flexibility, equity, and impact, particularly for women and families.

As Amodha once shared, entering tech enabled her to stay home with her newborn son while still contributing meaningfully to the workforce. She spoke openly about the barriers women face in tech, the 'boys' club mentality that can make spaces feel unwelcoming, and the importance of visibility and representation. She deeply believed that diversity strengthens systems, and that focusing on people's capabilities, not gender, background, or identity, leads to better outcomes for everyone.

At Corner Store Network, Amodha's voice was steady and thoughtful. She asked the questions that mattered. She grounded our ambition in values. She reminded us that systems should always serve people, especially those most often left behind. Her environmental ethics, her belief in community-led solutions, and her commitment to justice shaped our organisation in ways that will endure.

Outside of work, Amodha found joy in tending her garden, working with native flora, visiting national parks, and gathering with family and friends - often around a table full of food. She understood food not just as nourishment, but as connection, culture, care, and love, which is perhaps why she fit so naturally into the heart of what we do. If you were ever lucky enough to be invited to dinner at Amo's, you knew you were in for a treat. Her Sri Lankan curries are still, without question, some of the best in Melbourne.

We are immensely grateful for the time, wisdom, and love Amodha gave to Corner Store Network. Her legacy lives on in our work, our values, and the countless lives she touched through education, technology, and quiet leadership.

From Alice:
On a personal level, I have known Amodha since I was in prep at primary school. Inviting Amo to join the Corner Store Network board was a no-brainer. She loved food, understood it as both nourishment and a powerful community-builder, and recognised how it could be used as a tool to create opportunity, particularly for women. Amodha supported, mentored, and championed me. She encouraged me to chase my dreams and wholeheartedly believed in Corner Store Network's mission and impact. Amo was a close friend of our whole family, and the grief of her loss is profound among her friends and loved ones.

From the Board:
The Corner Store Network Board are devastated to lose such a beautiful soul and integral part of our organisation’s fabric. Amodha brought to the Board a quiet, wise presence. A deep listener, she had a remarkable ability to go to the heart of an issue with clarity and insight - something we all benefited from as we worked to support our mission. From the beginning of our Board formation, Amo was a bright light, showing up right to the end with hope, optimism, and grace. For Board members, Amodha has been in our lives for many years, and her loss is felt keenly, far beyond her contributions to the Board. We will miss her greatly: her wise counsel, her laugh, her gentle presence, and fierce determination to address inequity. She gave her all to whatever she did, and for that, we are so grateful. Her unwavering support of Alice was always clear, and we wholeheartedly echo the beautiful tribute Alice has shared here.

Our thoughts and love are with Amodha’s family and friends during this devastating time, in particular, Ravi, Achintha, and Tannishka. We hold you close.

Rest gently, Amodha. Thank you for everything.