Top scorers at A/Levels from Matara
View(s):Three students who obtained the island’s best results at the GCE Advanced Level examination in 2017 are from schools in Matara.
The students who came first in both the bio science and commerce streams at the exam are from Sujatha Vidyalaya, Matara while the student who emerged first in the engineering technology stream is from Mahinda Rajapaksa Vidyalaya, Matara.
Dilini Sandunika Palihakkara (19) emerged first in the island in the bio-science stream. The elder daughter of mechanical engineer L.P. Palihakkara (53) and H.B.R. Sunethra (46), Dilini said she studied according to a time-table and did not let the impending exam become a burden to her. A keen chess player since childhood, Dilini has won numerous victories for her school and has also served as a junior school prefect.
She thanked the school’s principal, Hemanthi Mala Wanasinghe, her teachers at school as well as her tuition masters for guiding her to achieve this success.
Dilini’s dream is to become a doctor one day and treat the country’s poor. Dulani Rasanthika (19), also from Sujatha Vidylaya, Matara had initially hoped to study maths. She is the daughter of S.A. Gunaratne (59) who works as a driver at a pharmacy in Colombo and K.H.G. Lalitha, a housewife. After battling economic hardships to obtain eight As and a B at the GCE Ordinary Level examination while a student at Kokawala Madya Maha Vidyalaya, Dulani gained admission to Sujatha Vidyalaya in the hope of studying in the physical science stream. However, the principal Hemanthi Mala Wanasinghe had recommended that it would be better for her to study commerce.
Prompted by the principal and encouraged by her parents, Dulani said she worked hard but did not expect to come first in the island.
She thanked her parents, elder sister, school principal and both her teachers at school and her tuition masters for their work in helping her achieve this honour. She hopes to become an accountant one day.
Prasadi Ransarani Hettiarachchi from Mahinda Rajapaksa Vidyalaya, Matara came first in the engineering technology stream. Prasadi’s father T. Hettiarachchi (56), is the Chief Planning Officer at the Southern Province Engineering Services Department. Her mother Ramani Suraweera (50) had been a typist at the Dickwella Pradeshiya Sabha before retiring in 2004 to bring up her three children.
Prasadi obtained her primary education at Dickwella Vijitha Vidyalaya before entering St.Thomas’ College, Matara after passing the grade 5 scholarship exam. She entered Mahinda Rajapaksa Vidyalaya after obtaining nine As at her O Levels.
She said she first became interested in engineering technology after it was introduced during a seminar she attended while doing her O Levels. She said her father also agreed to it as it was related to his area of work. She thanked her school’s principal, Dulani Kamal Renuka and teachers for their hard work and dedication. - Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk