Tamil journalist Hamshika Krishnamoorthy has brought light to the faces of South Asians by becoming the runner-up at the 2026 Migration Journalism Awards held in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Applications for the 2026 awards opened in October 2025. Over 800 applications were submitted from over 44 countries in five categories: Special Reporting Award, Innovation Award, Investigative Journalism Award, Immigration
Journalism Award, Publicity Award As in previous years, the judges were given the power to award a special prize for particular excellence.
The preparatory committee, from each submission, created a shortlist of 25 works, which were announced at the International Journalism Festival held in Perugia in April. The judging panel then selected the winners and runners-up, who were announced in Lisbon on the night of June 3rd, and the winners were awarded prizes.
The preparatory committee read each submission and created a shortlist of 25 works, which were announced at the International Journalism Festival held in Perugia in April. The judging panel then selected the winners and runners-upWhich was announced in Lisbon on the night of June 3rd and the prizes were handed over to the winners. The winners were announced at the European Press Prize Lisbon 2026 ceremony held at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation on June 3. Each prize is worth 10,000 euros, which should be spent, if possible, on a personal project that will enrich the practice of journalism.
Expressing her feelings on receiving the honor and award, Hamshika Krishnamoorthy said, "Growing up in Sri Lanka, I faced poverty, financial hardship, neglect, and countless obstacles." As a woman in the journalism profession, I have been subjected to suspicion, neglect, slander, and criticism.
Many people told me I would never succeed. Many people underestimated my dreams. But every obstacle turned into inspiration. Every failure turned into strength. When I was broken, I pushed myself forward. I learned to believe in myself, to believe in my dreams, and to rely on hard work. No matter how difficult the path was, I never gave up.
Today I am proud to stand on the international stage as the first Tamil journalist to be honored as the runner-up in the Migration Journalism Award at the European Press Awards 2026. Hamshika Krishnamoorthy Honored to the First Journalist from Sir Lanka and the second Journalist from Ashia to be recognized by the European Press Prize 2026 Migration Journalisom Award as Runner-up.
Hamshika has contributed to international reporting projects and publications covering migration routes, refugee experiences, and humanitarian issues. Her work has appeared in international media where she has reported on migration, asylum, and the experiences of displaced communities. She has also documented the post- war lives of Sri Lankan Tamils and broader human rights issues affecting vulnerable
populations. Hamshika is committed to amplifying underrepresented voices and producing journalism that fosters accountability, understanding, and social impact.
She continues to report on humanitarian crises, migration, conflict, and human rights issues across international contexts.
