Overview

Founder
Mr Nandasiri Wanninayaka, a young English teacher from Mahavilachchiya, initiated the Horizon Lanka concept in 1997. It began as a handwritten journal at Saliyamala Public School in Mahavilachchiya with a set of students.

Later, due to the constant resistance from the conservative staff of the public school and despite his students achieving high standards of English in local and provincial level competitions, Mr Wanninayaka resigned from his job as a government schoolteacher.

Due to the parents’ pleas to continue education for their children, he started a new “school”- a totally independent one – under a huge mango tree in his garden for these interested students. From then onwards, Mr Wanninayaka was able to bring Horizon Lanka from meagre beginnings to an institute of renowned excellence by fighting against all odds.

Now Mr Wanninayaka’s expertise is sought after by both governmental and non-governmental organizations, and in the private sector locally and internationally. He has been hired by the Ministry of Education on the premise to replicate the Horizon Lanka model of educational programs in 50 schools in rural villages in all 9 provinces in Sri Lanka. He is also helping some independent village level programs voluntarily.

Contact Nandasiri Wanninayaka
Email: wanni@horizonlanka.net wanni77@gmail.com
Skype: wanninayaka
Blog: http://wanni.wordpress.com
Mobile: 077-7702678 (Local) 0094-777702678 (IDD)

Board of Directors

1. Mr. Tikiri Bandage Nandasiri Wanninayaka – Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer
2. Mr. K. Godwin Perera – Director
3. Mr. Buddhika Prasad Hettiarachchi – Director
4. Mr. G. R. Saman Wijitha Kumara – Director
5. Mr. P. K. M. Thilakarathna – Director
6. Mr. B. M. Ajith Balasuriya – Director
7. Shanthi Rathnayaka – Director
8. Gangani Nimalika Dissanayake – Director
9. Achala Priyangani Wanninayaka – Director
10. Wickramasingha Malalarathna – Director

Staff

1. Manager

Ms Gangani Nimalika Dissanayake – Gangani is an experienced non-governmental sector professional with more than 10 years under her belt and specializes in community development, savings and credit, microfinance, livelihood development, and competency building, amongst others. She has worked in Care International, Sewa Lanka Foundation, Oxfam GB and Christian Children’s Fund and gained a wealth of experience locally and internationally. She has been part of the Horizon Lanka team since January 2010.

2. English Instructor

Miss Achala Priyangani Wanninayaka – Achala has over 5 years of experience in teaching English. She completed a Diploma in English at the University of Rajarata and was trained as a teacher at the English Academy. She also followed a secretarial course at the Technical College, Anuradhapura and worked as an intern at Sri Lanka Telecom. She joined Horizon Lanka in January, 2010.

3. Computer Instructor

Mr Sisira Rajapaksha – Sisira has ample experience in ICT education having taught the subject for the last 16 years, in addition to his local and foreign exposure. Currently he works as the Manager of the Zonal ICT Education Center. He also works as an IT consultant and provides teacher training aswell. He possesses a Diploma in ICT teaching obtained from Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT.)  He joined the Horizon Lanka team in 2004.

4. Technical Assistant

Mr Ajith Balasuriya – Ajith joined Horizon Lanka as a volunteer and gained experience in networking, internet, wireless technology and hardware repairs over the years. He also works in the Civil Security Force. He joined Horizon Lanka in 2003.

5. Caretaker/Sports Officer

Mr Anura Champika Dissanayaka – Anura is a village youth who joined Horizon Lanka as a volunteer. He looks after the sports activities while working as the caretaker of the institute as well. He joined Horizon Lanka in 2004.