Currently an environmental specialist working as a freelance technical advisor to UNDP and other organizations. She worked as the Team Leader and Policy Specialist for Climate Change and Environment at UNDP in Sri Lanka (2014-2020). Previously, Tharuka has also worked as a consultant on environmental sustainability and climate change in Nepal, Laos and Sudan; and for numerous agencies such as World Food Programme, OXFAM, Global Water Partnership and Practical Action.

She counts over 12 years of experience in environmental programme design and management. She has been a visiting lecturer at University of Peradeniya and University of Colombo. She was also a Journalist, Desk Editor and Columnist for national and international print media.