Miriam Sahota
Director
Manique Wijesinghe
International Medical Students Advisor
Ruwini Dharmasiri
International Student Recruitment and Marketing Officer
Praveen Dias
Web Operations
Miriam Sahota
Miriam was born of mixed parentage. Her initial education was in Singapore and she had attained her tertiary qualification while in Toronto, Canada.
During her growing years, she had travelled extensively to the Far East, France and America where her mother had served in a foreign mission.
At a young age of 15 years, Miriam had volunteered at the Indian High Commission in Singapore helping for the repatriation of migrant workers there.
She was also an active member of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) for many years. This has left a lasting poignant impression in her mind about the plight of abused animals and their welfare.
Miriam believes that our collective destiny as humans is tied up with the destiny of one another; once progress is inextricably linked to our capability to enjoin one another; be it in families, work place, communities or nations.
She has gained this invaluable knowledge not by learning in books or formulas but by her international skills mingling with people of diverse culture at ground level learning from their ordinary everyday lives.
Miriam is currently pursuing her other interests and dividing her time at Contact Sri Lanka and other online ventures.
She shares passionately in the same vision that CSL promotes to provide services for students to gain well rounded learning opportunity which complement their academic programme and to give them the edge to thrive in the competitive workplace.
Manique Wijesinghe
Manique Wijesinghe graduated with a medical degree from the University of Southampton, in June 2008. She studied at Bishop's College Colombo, and the Colombo International School in Sri Lanka.
Manique is the advisor for International Medical Students for CSL. Whilst being the Secretary of the Southampton University Sri Lankan Society (2006/07), she was also Global Health Coordinator for Medsin Southampton [Medsin is the UK's biggest coalition of medical students], who work to educate and act upon health inequalities worldwide], and organised a Global Health Conference to educate Southampton students about improving access to healthcare. She is a regular writer for the Student British Medical Journal, and has contributed a number of articles on medical education and evidence-based medicine. She also founded the Southampton International Medical Students Society last year, and as President, organised a sold-out concert and cultural night showcasing the talents of Southampton medical students from around the world.
Ruwini Dharmasiri
Ruwini Dharmasiri joined Contact Sri Lanka in 2004 and had since been a pillar of strength to CSL's founders. She graduated from King's College London with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry followed by Potgraduate Degree in Analytical Chemistry at University of London.
She brings with her first hand experience in dealing with students and university life hence her initiative; to create an online service to assist international students studying in the UK.
At a tender age of ten, Ruwini was zealous with her passion for science projects. Her discernment to generate and grasp new ideas, adaptability and imaginative approach towards improving procedures won her the impressive award in 1986 for the Best Science Project in Sri Lanka.
An avid and competitive all rounded sports person, Ruwini captained and lead her school's teams to victory which earned her Alma Mata the prestigious title Sri Lanka Championships in1988 and 1989.
Currently working on joint projects to help showcase young talents, Ruwini also hopes to promote Sri Lanka as a top destination in both education and talents.
Ruwini's aspirations and persevering strength has brought CSL into the limelight. Her amiability, warmth and dedication will prove to be valuable for the continued success of CSL.
Praveen Dias
Praveen completed a MEng. Degree in Information Systems Engineering at Imperial College London in 2009. He was the co-president of the Imperial College Sri Lankan Society in 2007/08. He was also involved in the University Radio Station 'ICRadio' as production manager.
CSL identified Praveen's talents when he was working with the Imperial College Sri Lankan Society in 2005. CSL has given Praveen the opportunity to apply his ideas and the knowledge that he had gained through university, to help talented students and young professionals from overseas.
Over the past three years, Praveen has gained the relevant IT knowledge and the experience required to maintain the website and now handles IT work for CSL.
