Join The Strivers Network and become part of a comprehensive community connecting scholars, alumni, college students, postgraduates, community organizations, faculty, university administrators, and embassies, all working together to bring the best opportunities to Sri Lankan students.
The TSN Story
The Strivers of Sri Lanka-high-achieving students from public schools and/or under-resourced backgrounds-are uninformed, misinformed, and left with no guidance on applying to the top-tier colleges of the world.
They are consistently underestimated and overlooked.
We hope to level the playing field by creating a free of charge support structure for such strivers and provide personalized guidance and support throughout their application journey.
In the long run, we hope to build, nurture, and maintain a community of students, graduates, and professionals-The Strivers’ Network-who will give back to Sri Lanka in a variety of ways. We will become a sustainable organization that actively facilitates the network in giving back
As of 6th December 2022, The Strivers’ Network has been registered under the Registrar of Companies, Sri Lanka as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
Our status can be verified using the QR code below.
Past Scholars: 3rd Pipeline 2023/24
For the 3rd year in a row, The Strivers’ Network provided free-of-charge mentorship and application guidance for a select group of Sri Lanka’s under-served high-achievers.
Past Scholars: 2nd Pipeline 2022/23
Hailing from public schools and/or under-resourced backgrounds, our scholars have gained admission to 6 of the most selective universities globally.
Past Scholars: 1st Pipeline 2021/22
We’re extremely happy to report that our scholars from public schools and/or under-resourced backgrounds have gained admission to 6 of the most competitive global universities.
Our Team
“Humans are intuitive beings. Thus, intuitively, my first step was to Google how to apply when approaching US College Applications. Bombarded by incomprehensible terms-early action, regular decision, SAT, ACT- and absurd tuition fees, / reassured myself that these colleges must be for divine beings, and, with profound conviction, struck off the US from my list.
Luckily for me, this was temporary. But for most, it is not. I do not want highly deserving students who can do so much for Sri Lanka to underestimate themselves. I do not want them to turn away just because they were not informed.”
– Suneragiri Liyanage, Harvard Class of ’24
Having spent most of my school career at a public college with a population close to 9,000, I was always led to believe my trajectory would be predetermined. After ending up as a final-year scholar at an international school with a batch size of 70, however, I found myself in a unique position.
My exposure to the sheer disparity in pastoral care and higher education guidance between the national and private education systems has had a major impact on my motivation to co-found The Strivers’ Network. We are overlooking the most deserving. It’s time we fixed that.
– Rivi Wijesekera, Yale Class of ’25
“I am a proud listener of the conversation on how studying abroad translates into brain drain.
It was during the Covid Pandemic in 2019 that I convinced myself that gaining admission to a top-tier college will give me my best chance to give back to my community.
The real investment of studying at a top-tier university is putting yourself in a position surrounded by infinite opportunities and ideas. It is this improved perspective of the world and the network of the greatest minds that will truly allow oneself to spark change in their birth country.
It is the dream of expanding this network that motivates me to be a part of this initiative.”
– Aabid Ismail, Princeton Class of ’25
“Global universities, particularly those in the US, pose a unique paradox. Many of them are incredibly inclusive in terms of admission criteria and financial aid. However, the application system to these colleges is not nearly as easy to navigate. From obtaining teacher references to taking the SAT, Sri Lankan students who lack targeted guidance and access to resources will encounter countless pitfalls. Combined with a lack of knowledge about financial aid opportunities, this keeps dozens of our most talented students out of the world’s top universities where they belong.
To talented students from the developed world, top-quality higher education is an accessible reality, not an expensive pipe dream. Sri Lankan students deserve no less. It is the gap in guidance, resources and aspiration between these groups of students that we at The Strivers’ Network are striving to bridge. “
– Thirandi de Silva, National University of Singapore Class of *24
“I am constantly blown away by the sheer ingenuity and intelligence that Sri Lankans are blessed with. Amongst my peers, / see budding authors, poets, entrepreneurs, scientists and mathematicians. I see young people overflowing with energy and aspirations. But I also see young people cutting their dreams down prematurely because studying abroad seems too expensive, intimidating, or difficult.
Our youth deserve the education of their dreams, and a lack of support should not impede that. Sri Lanka’s future is only as bright as the individual futures of every young person with a dream. I believe in the boundless potential of Sri Lankan youth – and I’m joining The Strivers’ Network because / want to help realise that hidden potential.”
– Shanya Sadanandan, Yale-NUS College Class of ’24
