Programme: LLB
Year of Registration: 2010
Year of Convocation: 2014
Designation: Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Attorney-at-Law in Sri Lanka

 

My journey: From Childhood Skies to the Scales of Justice

They say that the paths we ultimately walk are rarely the ones we initially map out for ourselves. If you had asked me as a child what I wanted to be when I grew up, I wouldn’t have said a lawyer. I didn’t dream of courtrooms or legal briefs. I wanted to fly. My eyes were always fixed on the clouds, dreaming of becoming a pilot.

But life has a spectacular way of redirecting us toward our true calling, and for me, that redirection began with a father’s trust and a prestigious institution that would soon become my second home: Royal Institute Campus.

My dad, a civil engineer, placed his complete trust in the founder of Royal Institute Campus, Mr. G.T. Bandara, who had not only been his former mathematics teacher but remained a mentor he deeply respected. Guided by that trust, my dad asked me to simply sit for the Foundation Programme at Royal Institute Campus. I remember the day vividly. I walked into the campus and became the very first student to register for the program that year. My registration number was No. 1. It felt like a small, curious detail at the time, but looking back, it was the first step of a life-changing journey.

Finding My True Calling

While completing the foundation course, the trajectory of my life changed forever. I met an incredible mentor, Ms. Meepe, who ignited a spark in me that I didn’t know existed. Through her passion and guidance, I didn’t just understand the law, I fell in love with it. From that moment on, Royal Institute Campus became the fertile ground where my legal career took root. I was surrounded by educators who were not just teachers, but true champions of my success. Mr. Amithirigala, Ms. Meepe, Ms. Kottegoda and all the tutors stood behind me every step of the way, believing in my potential even when the coursework felt insurmountable. But my time at RIC wasn’t just about academics. It was where I truly discovered who I was. I threw myself into extracurricular activities, stepped onto the football field, and experienced the unforgettable thrill of winning alongside my teammates. I still smile remembering the joy of seeing my face on RI’s cut-outs and in newspaper features. I was a student who was truly seen, supported, and celebrated.

A Home Within a Home

When I say Royal Institute Campus was my second home, I mean it in the truest sense. In particular, the campus library was my sanctuary. We spent entire evenings there, lost in the pages of case law and legal theory.

The library was a place of warmth, thanks to our librarian, who went above and beyond to help us track down the best resources. In fact, I practically had a seat allocated just for me, where my books sat faithfully, reserving my spot day after day. And whenever we needed a helping hand, Kodithuwakku Uncle was always there, radiating kindness and assisting us with whatever we needed. We weren’t just students in a building; we were a family.

They say you don’t get to choose your family, but at Royal Institute Campus, I feel like I did. I made friends who walked alongside me through the most defining years of my youth, transforming from peers into lifelong siblings. Even now, no matter where life has taken us, that bond remains unbreakable.

From Colombo to Australia

The Milestones That unwavering support system carried me to heights I never imagined:

I graduated with one of the most highly prestigious universities in the world, the University of London.

I went on to finish Law College, was admitted to the bar, and had the immense privilege of working for the Attorney General’s Department in Sri Lanka.

In 2016, my journey took me across the ocean to Australia. Adapting to a new legal landscape was a formidable challenge, but the academic resilience I built at Royal Institute Campus never left me. I went on to complete my postgraduate degree at La Trobe University, followed by a Juris Doctor at RMIT, successfully qualifying as a solicitor in Australia.

Since then, I’ve had the honour of serving in a government department handling complex migration matters and practicing as a solicitor.

Forever Grateful

When I look back at that young student holding registration receipt No. 1, I am filled with profound emotion. I may not have taken to the skies as a pilot, but the education, mentorship, and love I received at Royal Institute Campus gave me wings of a different kind. It allowed me to soar across continents, break barriers, and build a career dedicated to justice and helping others.

I am who I am today because Royal Institute Campus believed in me first. To my mentors, my peers, and the entire RIC community: I will be forever grateful.