Creative Designer
& Developer.

I started my IT journey in the year 2005, when I was just 10 years old. During my grade 5 scholarship tuition class, I saw a computer training center near our place. I observed that the seniors were using the computers to learn and play computer games. I began to develop a strong interest in using the computer, so I requested my parents if I can join them. My parents agreed, and I was allowed to use the computer training center, although I was not enrolled. I started with some simple computer games, like painting using MS Paint, typing, using Encarta, and playing Virtua Cop and Road Rash. I did not realize that it was helping me build my interest in IT.

A year later, in 2006, I was allowed to join a basic computer course called “KIDS,” designed for students of my age. The experience only fueled my curiosity, and in the following year, I attended the same course again. Not because I had to, but because I genuinely wanted to learn more. During the 2006–2007 period, my excitement and interest in computers grew even stronger, and technology slowly became more than just a hobby for me.

In 2008, I took another step forward by enrolling in basic computer courses such as the “Certificate in Computer,” which covered fundamental hardware knowledge, Microsoft Office XP, and the basics of Windows XP. Around the same time, I received my first personal computer—a Pentium III with an 800 MHz processor, 32 MB graphics, 128 MB of RAM, a CRT monitor, and basic speakers. It wasn’t powerful by any means, but it was everything I needed at the time, and it gave me the freedom to explore, practice, and learn on my own.

During 2010 and 2011, I spent most of my time mastering VB6, Photoshop 6, and several other software tools—almost entirely offline. Learning resources were extremely limited at the time. For programming, I found a book called “Visual Basic – Black Book” in my school library, and it became my bible. Since I didn’t have proper internet access, I relied on that single book, which had over 1,000 pages. I’m deeply thankful to the school library manager, who discussed my situation with the principal and allowed me to borrow it week after week, renewing the log continuously because I was the only student using it.

For design, a book titled “Photoshop 6.0” by Mr. Wijerathna, which I bought at an exhibition, opened the door to the creative world for me. “Wijaya Pariganaka” magazine was another valuable source that kept me updated with tech news and trends. Eventually, I got an internet connection—but not the kind people imagine today. It was a dial-up connection, running at around 20 kbps. I still smile thinking about it: I would enter a URL like google.com, walk around the house while it loaded, come back to check, and repeat. During those waiting moments, I often took apart household electrical items out of curiosity—joyful memories of a curious kid learning the hard way.

By the end of 2011, my life started to change in a big way, thanks in large part to Mr. Nishantha Galagoda, my school IT teacher. He guided me, shared knowledge, and provided access to the software and resources I needed. Around that time, I began taking on small side projects—not for money, but to learn and improve myself. I dabbled in graphic design, computer repair, typesetting, video and photo editing, and even some photography.

I also worked on my personal blog and built and managed a blog for "Weluwanarama - Daham Pasala." On top of that, I created custom Firefox browser themes, including college-branded designs, and experimented with making small software tools that I shared with friends for daily use. By the end of the year, I had released some free software to the world and contributed designs and support to online communities. It was a period of exploration, learning, and sharing—one that laid the foundation for everything that followed in my IT journey.