Curiosity came before the career title.
I grew up around computers, and I am grateful to my parents for giving me early access to technology and the guidance to explore it responsibly. Some of my strongest childhood memories involve computers, experimenting with software and trying to understand how things worked.
What interested me most was going beyond textbook explanations and creating something practical. That curiosity led me to build my first complete website at around ten years old. I continued learning independently through online resources, documentation and experimentation, and I still learn that way today.
Choosing cybersecurity
During high school I decided that I wanted to build my career in information technology. Looking at the direction technology was moving, together with my interest in hacking, system security and safeguarding information, I chose cybersecurity as the area I wanted to study in depth.
I finished school at Bandaranayake College Gampaha. I completed my Advanced Level examination in the Commerce stream, including ICT, as a private candidate within one year. That result gave me eligibility for state university admission in Management and Commerce, while I chose to continue on the technology path I had already planned.
University, work and ICTX
While studying at university I started ICTX. Building the institute helped me fund my higher education through my own work while also teaching a subject I genuinely enjoy. I completed a four-year BSc (Hons) in Information Technology specialized in Cyber Security at the age of 22, graduating with Second Class Honours, Lower Division.
My industrial placement was completed in a leading Sri Lankan bank, where I gained exposure to enterprise technology, operational risk, controls and security-related processes. That experience helped connect academic security concepts with the realities of a large organization.
Why AI security became important to me
As AI systems became more capable and more widely used, I became increasingly interested in the security questions around them. I completed my undergraduate research in AI security, focusing on safer handling of prompts, sensitive information and software context before data reaches a language model. That research continues to influence the areas I study now.
Teaching technology
Alongside cybersecurity, I focus on making ICT useful and interesting for the next generation through ICTX. I see ICT as more than an examination subject. It is increasingly part of the language students will need to understand the future world, so I try to connect classroom concepts with the technology around them.
Balance outside technology
Technology is essential, but I also believe it should be used in appropriate quantities and balanced with the physical world. During high school I trained in karate and achieved Black Belt 1st Dan through the Japan Education Karate Association. That experience reinforced the value of discipline, consistency and physical activity alongside academic and technical work.