An Inspiring Tech Enthusiast Shaping the Future.
Growth happens when we choose to take on tough opportunities instead of waiting for the easy paths. It’s about taking risks, learning from real experiences, and valuing what we learn along the journey-not just the outcome. Amith’s story exemplifies this mindset. He started with a love for technology and didn’t hesitate to jump into challenges that pushed him beyond what he knew. By learning from his experiences and not giving up after setbacks, Amith turned those tough moments into stepping stones, building a rewarding and inspiring career in tech. His journey shows how grabbing the right opportunities and learning through them can lead to real growth and success. The first chapter Growing up in Wennappuwa, Amith attended St. Joseph Vaz College, where he received a strong educational foundation that shaped his future. From a young age, he showed a strong interest in mathematics, which naturally led him to pursue his Advanced Levels in the Maths stream. Alongside his passion for equations and theorems, Amith was also drawn to computers and spent hours immersed in computer games and this dual interest was an early sign of the tech enthusiast he would one day become. After completing his A/Ls, Amith joined an apparel company as a staff officer, taking up the role of planning assistant. It was here, in the midst of spreadsheets and production schedules, that a friendly encounter changed his life. A colleague from the IT department introduced him to the world of coding. Watching his colleague write programs and solve problems with logic fascinated Amith, sparking a new interest in computer science. This interaction provided him with an initial exposure to the vast possibilities within Computer Science. University Life Inspired by this newfound curiosity, Amith applied to the University of Peradeniya and was thrilled to be accepted into the Computer Science Degree Program. He got selected for the BSc. Honors Degree in Computer Science as one of the best 20 students out of 200 students in the Department of Statistics and Computer Science, University of Peradeniya. University life was a transformative period for Amith. He eagerly acquired knowledge across a broad spectrum of subjects, ranging from theoretical concepts to practical technical skills. Fields like computer networks, machine learning, data mining, artificial intelligence, neural networks, and human-computer interaction left a lasting impression on him. The seamless integration of Software Defined Networking (SDN) with traditional network systems particularly intrigued him and this passion culminated in his final year research project, titled “Interoperability Between VLAN-based Networks and Software Defined Networking.” Under the guidance of Dr. Namal Karunarathna from the Department of Computer Engineering, Amith explored how SDN could be used to optimize network management by integrating VLANs with the RYU controller, seeking ways for the two protocols to coexist effectively. During a three-month internship at the university’s Network and Communication Service, he encountered various challenges, from finding computational resources to accessing physical testing devices. Yet, these obstacles only strengthened his resolve. He learned vital skills in areas such as Wi-Fi configurations, LDAP authentication, server testing, and Microsoft Entra Admin for user and license management. So, this internship became a vital opportunity to gather learning experiences for his professional voyage. Leadership and Volunteering Amith didn’t limit himself to academics. As the secretary of the Computer Society at the University of Peradeniya, he developed strong leadership, organizational, and teamwork skills. One of the most notable initiatives under his leadership was organizing a virtual web development course during the COVID-19 pandemic. The course connected students from universities across Sri Lanka, enabling them to collaborate and learn during challenging times. These extracurricular experiences shaped Amith not only into a skilled developer but also into a compassionate individual with a deep sense of community. By the time he graduated with a GPA of 3.59 and a Second Class Upper Division, he had not only excelled academically but also grown tremendously on a personal level. Stepping into the Professional World Amith’s early project experiences and university exposure paved the way for his first professional opportunity. Through a friend, he was introduced to Drifting Desk LLC, where he began working part-time as a Junior Java backend developer during his final year of university. Thanks to the flexible nature of remote work, Amith was able to balance his academic and professional responsibilities. Even during exams, university responsibilities, and the internship program, the work environment remained supportive and flexible, offering guidance without pressure. He found immense joy in creating automation logic and developing impactful software solutions. In his first project, he had the opportunity to learn about Cloud Native Applications, deployment, and Microservice architecture with the help of his friends Aruna and Pawan. Collaborating with peers, he took on responsibilities both in the backend and frontend, stepping confidently into the role of a full-stack developer. After a year of dedication and consistent performance, Amith was promoted to the position of Software Developer. In this new role, he encountered entirely new technologies and challenges. Yet, true to his character, he embraced them with enthusiasm, always eager to learn and evolve. Future Focus As Amith looks to the future, his ambition remains clear, he plans to pursue a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence while continuing to grow in his software development career. With a solid foundation in both academic theory and practical application, coupled with a deep-seated passion for technology, he is well on his way to making meaningful contributions to the world of AI and beyond. Amith’s story isn’t just a roadmap for aspiring tech professionals-it’s a telling example that the future belongs to those who dare to experiment, adapt, and lead with both heart and intellect. His path shows that when we pursue something with genuine commitment, meaningful results often tend to follow. As Amith continues to explore new territories in the tech world, his journey encourages us all to find inspiration in the unexpected, to seek out learning in every challenge, and to build communities that grow together.
From Novice to Expert : The path of a digital dreamer
Stories can halt moments, rewind to nostalgia, and reroute us toward novel horizons. They are like tapestries rich with threads of experience—woven from triumphs and peaks, intertwined with crossroads. This is the story of Lahiru, whose determination during his school days to thrive in the tech world has become a reality, shaping the life of a software engineer he once dreamed of. Where it all began Lahiru who grew up in the dynamic Monaragala district with its rolling hills and vibrant landscapes envisioned a future of innovation and excellence in the tech world. Have you ever felt that rush of excitement when something new grabs your attention and feels like it could lead you to success? For Lahiru, it was a Pentium 4 running Windows XP, gifted to him by his father in 2011 which welcomed him into the world of computing. From the very moment he laid eyes on a computer, a glimmer of enthusiasm unfolded before him. He was ecstatic and wondrous to walk through the realm of experimentation to see what the future held for him. As his fingertips touched the keyboard each click of the mouse and its beeping sound resonated in his young mind, sparking questions, “How did every action create a response? What else can it do? …” He studied at MO/Bandarabayake National School where dreams took flight and aspirations found opportunities. Just as a sculptor shapes clay into form, his school moulded him, sculpting his passions with knowledge. Forged to nurture this newfound passion, Lahiru chose Information Technology as a subject for his Ordinary Level examination. Learning within the confines of a classroom did not satisfy this tech-savvy guy. He craved to bridge the gap between theory and practice, bringing what he learned into real-world scenarios. As he journeyed through the school he was elected as the President of the IT club. He was more than just a tech guru; he became a mentor for fellow students, guiding newcomers as they navigated the enigma of digital learning. With his rooted visions, Lahiru chose Mathematics for his Advanced Level Examination, believing it to be a seminal step toward his dream of entering engineering college. Forging the passion for technology Lahiru’s journey into technology was fuelled by his passion for self-learning. Even before starting his higher studies, he commenced his self-explorations to learn and meet the latest intricacies in the field. He expanded his knowledge about strings and their frameworks by spending late night experiments and hustling with codes. As he entered Greenwich University, Lahiru found himself in an environment that encouraged lifelong learning and taught the art of improvisation. It made learning a holistic experience. Homework assignments were like carrying opportunities to learn and a catalyst to grapple with the on-ground scenarios. It was here that he honed his skills in Java, Java Swing, C#, and Visual Studio, laying the foundation for a career as a backend software engineer. At a time when AI resources were not abundant, he learned all these intricate concepts by delving into documentation. Beyond the technical skills, the university prepared him for the competitive job market. They paved a pathway to create the professional journey that everyone deserves. The university’s mock interview sessions were formidable. They were like a rehearsal, allowing one to step into the spotlight and refine their performance before the curtain rises. Lahiru always has a grateful spot for his university for giving him wings to fly high and groom himself into a backend software engineer. He turned the final chapter of his academic journey with countless experiences, hands-on knowledge and invaluable practice to step into the professional arena. Stepping into the job market Lahiru secured a position as an associate software engineer from his very first job interview, joining a talented team of a senior software developer and enthusiastic interns. Lahiru transformed the workspace into a lively workshop, conducting engaging KT sessions on Eclipse IDE, IntelliJ, and Java EE for interns. He shared his hands-on expertise, guiding them through the intricacies of testing frameworks and unravelling the use of application testing using tools like JMeter. The skills he gathered from university became lifesavers at work. Here he got the chance to turn his knowledge into action and expand the horizon. When the management of the company asked all the employees to leave the company due to a lack of ongoing projects his dilemma was “What now?”. Yet, his first job in the professional realm, just after donning his graduation cap, became a profound teacher. He saw this setback as a setup for something better. Challenges and hard lessons Lahiru was so excited and hopeful for his new job, but it turned out to be short-lived and a harsh lesson in professional challenges. They promised him a project team, but he was left to manage massive tasks like building a ticket booking system on his own. Consequently, he had to work on weekends too. When the paycheck came, it was only half of what he was owed. These issues overshadowed his enthusiasm for work and mounted his pressure. Despite the mounting stress, Lahiru held onto one thing: his determination to uphold his work ethic. Quitting might have been easier, but leaving his resume with a glaring gap felt like giving up on everything he worked so hard for. Yet as the weeks turned into months Lahiru slowly discovered that this is a job scam. He found himself questioning “This isn’t what I signed up for…. How did I not see this coming? “ Finally, he decided to resign and envisioned working in a company that has a friendly working environment with a collaborating team where every minute achievement will be celebrated. The dawn of a new chapter Lahiru’s professional journey took a watershed turn when he joined the Drifting Desk. He came across the job vacancy at Drifting Desk for the position of backend software engineer at LinkedIn. He still recalls this interview and how he aced the interview with his clear-cut answers, impressing the CTO,