Dream big,achieve bigger, the motto:

Sheer courage, the path to glory

President Rajapaksa presents gift packs to Kasun Lakmal and Rusiru Gambhiraachchi of Rajapaksa Central College, Weeraketiya, Hambantota, for their achievements in the Advanced Level examination

Studying to pass the G.C.E. A/L could be the toughest two to three years for any Sri Lankan teenager. Anyone who passed that period of preparing for Advanced Levels can never forget the stress, tension and the number of sleepless nights one had to undergo. At the end few achieve the goal while many hope for luck. Parents strongly believe and would do much to bring good luck to their children. Students write notes, rewrite notes, make short notes and create multi coloured notes with different colours for different subjects.

No one exactly knows whether luck is something that we bring with birth or something that can be bestowed upon a person with blessings. Yet few teenagers who topped the Advanced Level pass score proved that winning is within our scope. They were focused and determined and today they enjoy the fruits of their hard labour.

It was their sheer courage that paved the path for their glory in one of the most competitive and stressful exams. Two most prominent figures were Rusiru and Kasun from the Rajapaksa Central College in Weeraketiya, Hambantota. R.S.P. Kasun Lakmal scored the all-island best marks in Bio Science stream while Rusiru Gambhiraarachchi topped the scoreboard in the Maths stream.

To Rusiru his motto was dream big; achieve bigger. His experience gives many reasons to dream a big picture. I was determined to pass Advanced Level in maths stream since I was in year nine class, said Rusiru who dreams of becoming a mathematics professor. He, unlike the majority of his age, have started studying for Advanced Level Maths while in Year nine when he was just starting to prepare for his Ordinary Level examination. His parents and teachers strongly advised him not to as it would be too much for his age, not to mention it would be confusing too. "I'm very happy but really not surprised about my results since I was determined to be the first since I was in Year nine class," said Rusiru. His elder brother, Lahiru was his only supporter. When he was just fifteen Rusiru participated in Maths Olympiad organised by the University of Colombo. Out of the over 2,000 competitors at the Olympiad, Rusiru achieved the place among the best six. Following this, at the international level during the Olympiad held in Kazakhstan, Rusiru was awarded honours.

Rusiru had his primary education up to year five class in Walasmulla Model Primary School. Scoring 163 marks at the Scholarship exam, Rusiru enters the Weeraketiya Rajapaksa Central College.

"I enjoyed interesting segments in all maths subjects just like somebody would enjoy a piece of literature. Thus A/L exam was never a burden to me," he said. He was interested in only on his studies and never allowed problems out of the subject bother him. "School Principal, my teachers at school and teachers of tuition classes that I went to were a big support for my success," said Rusiru with gratitude.

To Rusiru his family has been the pillar of strength to all his successes. His father, Piyal Weerasinghe Gambhiraarachchi is a retired teacher and mother Mallika Jayasinghepathirana is an English teacher.

"He was very dedicated to studies," said his father. "He would wake up early in the morning and one of his practices in his early morning studying was watching lessons given in educational programs telecast on Rupavahini," said Rusiru's father.

With the blessings of his teachers, parents and siblings Rusiru is ready to tread towards his future of becoming a successful citizen.

Both Rusiru and Kasun have started studying at Weeraketiya Rajapaksa Central College from year six class and both are good friends too.

R.S.P. Kasun Lakmal came first from the island in the bio-science stream. Completing his primary education at Middeniya Primary School, Kasun excelled in the year five scholarship exam scoring 175 and bagging the seventh place in the Hambantota district. "I feel proud and honoured that both me and Rusiru being from the same school," said Kasun. Nothing is impossible to achieve if one is armed with self confidence, dedication and commitment, said this young man who dreams of becoming a successful cardiologist.

Kasun had been a student with a multi-pronged approach in his education. He is a prefect of the school, president of the Science Society and also a member of the Chess team. He has been a prominent player both in studies as well as in extra curricular activities. Kasun's father, R.S.P. Piyadasa is the Public Health Inspector of Katuwana and mother, N.A. Dayawathi works attached to the office of the Medical Officer of Health in Angunukolapelessa.

Kasun is on top of their world. "We never forced our son to study but he completed what he had to on a particular day", they said, commenting on the happiest day of their lives.

With great gratitude, Kasun remembers his teachers during A/L classes as well as throughout his education and school principal for their great support.

"First places in Science and Maths streams coming from the same school is a rare instance and this is a great honour to our school," said Principal of the school Athula Wijewardane Nanayakkara.

While Weeraketiya Rajapaksa College marks history, another part is written by the Devi Balika Vidyalaya in Colombo. Three young girls of Devi Balika bagged the top scores for Commerce, Arts and Information Technology streams to bring glory to their Alma Mater. Samali Liyanage became the all-island best score for Information Technology stream. She has been the head prefect for years 2010 and 2011 and somehow managed to get through the tough line in her own pace. Samali obviously had been a smart kid throughout her school career being selected as the head prefect of the school.

Completing her primary education at Agnes Balika in Balangoda and Musaeus College, Colombo Samali selected Devi Balika for her education since year six. "I just concentrated on day-to-day studies and tried not to take too much of pressure of the exam," said Samali. "I didn't go to private tuition classes but I came to school everyday. I didn't miss the revision, said Samali, revealing her secret of success. Seshani Gunathilake, who got the first place in the Commerce stream said her future aim was the key to her achievement. "I always gave thought to how close I am to my aim. It is according to my assessment I set my rules to study," said Seshani.

"I never tried to confine myself to books. But had full concentration when ever I study," she said. Completing her primary education at Sangamiththa Vidyalaya Colombo, Seshani studied in Gothami Balika Colombo until Ordinary Level examination. For Dancing and Western Music Seshani had a special interest and had been enthusiastic for sports as well.

Upeksha completed her primary education at Horana Thakshila Vidyalaya. Upeksha Sewwandi dreams of becoming a professional translator reaching possibilities beyond the island. Her dream is to become a success in a very challenging field. "I was very interested in learning languages since I was little. And it is why I selected French, English and Political Science as my A/L subjects," she said. She had been an active member of the School English Literature Society.

She had been lucky to be brought up in a family environment where education had always been number one. "My father was a Zonal Education Director and now retired. Mother is an English teacher in Horana Wawulugala Primary School," she said.

All of these achievers had their own way of facing and managing a challenge yet the secret of success had been commitment and dedication coupled with self confidence. With a solid footing established with their success, may these young people bring glory to the motherland in the same way they made their Alma Mater proud.

- DY