Why I Founded Oh'Ceylon to World

Moving to Canada was one of the best and boldest decisions of my life.

I came alone. No family. No connections. No trusted guide. Just a dream in my heart and the determination to make it real.

I was already an undergraduate from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, but stepping into a new country as an international student came with its own set of challenges. To support myself, I worked part-time jobs while studying. It was exhausting, but I never lost focus. I built my own network, found my voice, and slowly started to create the life I once dreamed of.

All that hard work paid off when I graduated from my Canadian college as a double award winner at the Annual Leadership Awards, including the International Student Leadership Award. And right after graduation, I was offered a full-time position at the same college a moment that turned all my struggles into purpose.

But my real turning point came when one of my public speeches went viral.

Suddenly, students from Sri Lanka and beyond began reaching out to me. They shared their stories, their fears, and most importantly, their dreams. Many wanted to study abroad but didn’t know how to start. Others had already been scammed, overcharged, or simply misled. Some were scared of taking loans from random third-party websites or unsure about trusting agents they’d never even met.

That’s when I realized something deeply personal: So many talented students are left behind simply because they don’t have the right guidance.

And I knew I had to do something about it.

When I was applying to come to Canada, I couldn’t find clear, accurate guidance from inside Canada. The advice I found was either outdated, untrustworthy, or simply too expensive to access. So I used my background, including experience working in diplomacy and successfully applying for visas like Schengen, to apply for college and my Canadian study permit all by myself.

After arriving in Canada, I asked other students about their stories. Many had been overcharged, misinformed, or had negative experiences that could’ve been avoided. It hurt me to hear these stories, because I knew it didn’t have to be that way.

Over time, I worked inside a Canadian public college ( Where I studied ) as an International Student Recruitment Officer, also a student advisor. Today, I work as an International Student Counsellor for a global education company — and now, I know what works and what doesn’t.

That’s how Oh'Ceylon to World was born. Not as a business. But as a mission.

To guide Sri Lankan students with:

• Honest, one-on-one consultations

• College selection and full application support

• Referrals to licensed immigration professionals (not just agents — regulated, inside-Canada experts)

• Real insight into international student life in Canada, beyond what you see online

I started this because I was once in your shoes. I know what it feels like to dream of studying abroad but not know who to trust. That’s why this platform exists to give you the same honest, experience-backed support I once wished I had.

Because I believe:

“If you have a dream and a passion, you just need the right fuel station.”And I'm here to be that spark — so you can fuel your passion and build your future.