MY STORY: A JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE & GROWTH...

ROOTS IN KANDY: Early Life and Education

I was born and raised in Kandy, a city known for its spirit, heritage, and heart. Growing up in a family that instilled in me the importance of humility, discipline, and service, I developed an early fascination with leadership; what it meant, how it could shape lives and the responsibility it carried.

From my formative years at St. Anthony’s College Kandy, it was clear I was drawn to more than just the classroom. In 2010, I was honored to be appointed Head Prefect of the Primary Department and recognized as the Most Promising Prospect Student of the year. These acknowledgments were more than titles, they were early affirmations of potential, trust, and purpose.

Throughout school, I immersed myself in leadership and co-curricular activity. I wasn’t just focused on academic achievement, rather I wanted to contribute, to build, and to lead. As a Senior Prefect of the Collegiate (2018/19), I balanced academics with leadership, gaining real-time experience in managing teams, conflict resolution, and strategic planning.

Other roles like President of the Young Inventors’ Club, Secretary of the Environmental Society, Editor of the Interact Club and Chief Editor of the College Media Unit enabled me to explore creativity, innovation, and advocacy. I was also active in public speaking, debate, and event curation, which laid the groundwork for my confidence on stage and in boardrooms.

I’ve always viewed education not as a means to an end, but as a lifelong journey of exploration, transformation, and application. My academic journey took shape through a diverse mix of qualifications that blended management, finance, and technology:

    • Bachelor of Business Administration – London Metropolitan University
    • Master of Business Administration (MBA) – London Metropolitan University
    • Advanced Diploma in Credit Management – Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka
    • Level 5 Diploma in IT – British Computer Society (UK)
    • Level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Management – BTEC Pearson (UK)

Currently, I am pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at Girne American University. My research focuses on the intersection of Human Resource Management and operational efficiency in the banking sector, merging my professional expertise with a deep desire to drive institutional growth and people-first cultures. My educational choices have always reflected one belief: learning must remain relevant, applied, and transformative.

Career: Intern to Strategic banker

My professional journey began in 2018 at Pan Asia Bank, where I stepped in as an intern; but approached the role as a launchpad. I was committed to learning everything I could, from grassroots operations to client engagement. That drive paid off quickly and I was honored as the All-Island Best Performer for both Saviya SME Loans (2018) and Sammana Personal Loans (2019).

Those recognitions marked a turning point. I was no longer just “in” banking, I was building a career in it.

I rose through the ranks to become a Junior Executive Grade II – Area Credit Officer, handling complex credit portfolios and SME client strategies across regions. It was here that I sharpened my financial acumen, learned the nuances of risk, and understood how deeply trust matters in financial services.

In October 2023, Just 5 years later I joined DFCC Bank PLC as Executive – Regional Coordinator for Region VI. This role brought both challenge and reward: overseeing strategic regional growth, optimizing KPIs across branches, and engaging in business drive & Product Performance analysis. It was no longer just about executing policy it became about shaping vision and driving results.

Rotaract & Rotary: A Life of Service in Motion

Rotaract was never just an extracurricular for me, it was a calling. My journey with the Rotaract Club of Kandy Metropolitan began with passion and grew with purpose. As Director of Professional Development (2020–21), I focused on skilling up our members. As Secretary (2021–22), I created systems and structures to ensure sustainable impact. And as President (2022–23), I led our club through a landmark year of growth, partnerships, and project innovation.

That momentum earned me a place at the district level. In 2023–24, I served as Joint Director – Club Service, Regional Engagement, where I helped enhance collaboration and operational synergy across the Central Region. By 2024–25, I took on dual responsibilities as Zonal Rotaract Representative (Zone 02) and Joint Director – International Service, working to elevate Sri Lanka’s presence in global Rotaract forums, cross-border collaborations, and interdistrict exchanges.

Then came a defining honor: I was elected as District Rotaract Representative (DRR) for RID 3220 (2026–27).

This role stands as a culmination of years of groundwork. As DRR, I will lead an entire district of young leaders in Sri Lanka & Maldives. My vision is clear: create a culture of impact, elevate the Rotaract brand, and nurture next generation changemakers across RID 3220.

Simultaneously, my Rotary journey has continued to grow. With the Rotary Club of Kandy Metropolitan, I served as Assistant Treasurer / Director – Youth Services (2023–24) and Director Youth Services (2024–25), Later as the Secretary (2025-26). Finaly in recognition of my work involving Youth I was called into the Rotary District of Sri Lanka & Maldives in the Capacity of Assistant District Interact Chair (2025-26). Rotary gives me a larger canvas to integrate intergenerational collaboration and create youth empowerment programs that scale.

Challenges Faced and Lessons Learned

Behind every milestone lies a challenge overcome. One of my biggest personal hurdles was mastering the balance between academics, professional duties, and leadership responsibilities. At times, it meant sacrifice; of sleep, of social time, of comfort. But what it gave me in return was resilience.

Juggling a demanding job with doctoral research and district-level Rotaract leadership taught me time discipline, strategic focus, and the importance of mental clarity. I learned to prioritize not just tasks, but values. I learned to manage people, not just projects. And I learned that impact is often created not by doing more, but by doing what matters most with excellence.

Today, I define myself not just by my roles—but by my responsibility to inspire others. Whether it’s empowering a young Rotaractor, helping a rural entrepreneur access financing, mentoring a junior banker, or speaking to a hall of future leaders, I bring my full self—authentic, strategic, and purpose-driven. My journey has just begun. I remain committed to:

  • Empowering young leaders through mentorship and skill-building
  • Driving community-centric growth through sustainable service models
  • Bridging sectors and generations through Rotary, finance, and academia
  • Leading with vision, clarity, and compassion

If I can inspire even one person to believe in themselves, take ownership of their potential, and pursue purpose with boldness—then every step of my journey has been worth it.