Ms. Vidjaya Lakshmi Ramkhalawan

Vidjaya Lakshmi Ramkhalawan currently serves as the Acting Managing Director of the Environmental Management Authority (EMA). She has over 24 years of experience in regulatory systems, legislative implementation, and institutional leadership. She built her career at the EMA, starting as Regulatory Assistant and held progressively senior roles, most recently as Manager, Permitting. 

A recognized contributor to environmental governance, she has played a pivotal role in advancing national legislation, including the revision and implementation of the Water Pollution Rules, and has led regulatory initiatives such as the designation of the Scarlet Ibis as a protected species and the development of permitting systems. Her leadership extends to managing multidisciplinary teams, guiding complex decision-making processes, and strengthening institutional performance.

She has regional and international experience representing Trinidad and Tobago and currently serves as National Focal Point and Chair of the Project Steering Committee for a Global Environment Facility programme aimed at eliminating hazardous chemicals from supply chains and is a member of the Small Intercessional Working Group on Improving the Prior Informed Consent Procedure under the Basel Convention on the transboundary movement of hazardous waste. 

Ms. Ramkhalawan holds a Master of Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University, a Diploma in Law from the University of London, and an Honours Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Toronto. She is a proud graduate of St. Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando.