A New Pathway to Excellence

With the introduction of CandleAid Lanka and the University of Sydney to each other by CandleAid's longstanding sponsor, the LBW Trust of Sydney (Learning for a Better World), a new pathway has opened for Sri Lankan graduates to pursue post-graduate qualifications in Australia through the University of Sydney's newly established Sydney International Equity Scholarship programme. This is a feat beyond the wildest dreams of these graduate students of Sri Lanka.

Partnership with the University of Sydney

CandleAid Lanka is highly privileged to partner with the University of Sydney, one of Australia's leading institutions for higher education. Through this ongoing collaboration, graduates from low-income families in Sri Lanka who received financial assistance through CandleAid's education sponsorship programme during their undergraduate tertiary studies, are able to apply for fully funded scholarships to pursue their postgraduate studies at this prestigious university.

The first two graduates, Nadeera Ashani and Sachith Karunarathna who embarked on this wonderful opportunity in 2024 are pursuing Master's in Agriculture & Environment and Marine Science & Management respectively. They are due to complete their postgraduate studies in 2025. A 3rd student, Lakeesha Hasanjana, joined the University of Sydney in 2025 to read a Master's in Professional Engineering.

This partnership reflects our shared commitment to empower youth through education, creating pathways for competent students to reach their full potential. Each scholarship not only transforms the life of an individual student but also reinforces our mission of spreading light by creating opportunities for young people who have the potential to become future leaders in their chosen professional fields of expertise.

Partnership with LBW Trust – Empowering University Students

Since 2012, CandleAid Lanka has been privileged to partner with the LBW Trust, Sydney, Australia in supporting financially disadvantaged undergraduates across Sri Lanka. Through this long-standing collaboration, the Trust provides a monthly allowance to selected students, enabling them to meet essential academic expenses such as books, data, accommodation, travel, and food.

Over the years, 682 undergraduates have benefited from this partnership, with 170 students currently sponsored as of September 2025. These sponsorships have brought immense relief not only to students but also to their families, many of whom face severe financial hardship.

The relationship between LBW Trust and CandleAid Lanka has grown from strength to strength, built on mutual trust, transparency, and accountability. It is their conviction of CandleAid's integrity that led them to introduce us to the University of Sydney for the purpose of nominating worthy undergraduates to benefit from the Sydney International Equity Scholarship programme.

Sachith with his parents, twin sister, brother and sister-in-law

Sachith Anjana Karunarathna: A Journey of Perseverance

My name is Sachith Anjana Karunarathna, and I am a 28-year-old postgraduate student from Sri Lanka. I am the youngest in a close-knit family of five, with my parents, an elder brother, and a twin sister. My story begins in the countryside of Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, far from the capital, where my family faced numerous challenges. My father worked as a mason, and my mother managed a small tea cultivation, where my siblings and I would help whenever we weren't studying. My parents instilled in us the belief that education was the only pathway to a better life, and they worked tirelessly at various casual jobs to support our schooling.

After excelling in school and earning a government scholarship, I pursued Fisheries & Marine Science at the University of Ruhuna. My family faced many hardships, including medical emergencies and financial strain, which made continuing my studies difficult.

It was CandleAid Lanka that changed everything. With their scholarship support enabled by the LBW Trust, I was able to complete my undergraduate studies with first-class honors. I am now pursuing my Master's in Marine Science and Management at the University of Sydney, thanks to the fully funded Sydney International Equity Scholarship granted by the University of Sydney. I am deeply grateful for this incredible opportunity.

My journey reflects CandleAid's motto: "It is better to light a solitary candle than to curse the darkness". Today, my goal extends beyond personal achievement - I aspire to give back to my community the benefits lavished on me by CandleAid, LBW Trust and the University of Sydney.

Nadeera Ashani: A Journey of Hope

I grew up in Piliyandala, a suburb of Colombo, in a family of four. My mother worked as a government employee while my father had a temporary job as a labourer. Our family mainly depended on my mother's income, which made managing daily expenses extremely challenging. My sister's and my education often hung in the balance, especially as Colombo is an expensive city.

When I began my undergraduate studies, the COVID-19 pandemic worsened our situation. My father lost his job, and my mother was diagnosed with a spinal disorder that required prolonged medical treatment. During this difficult time, I was receiving a scholarship from LBW Trust enabled by CandleAid Lanka, which covered my education expenses throughout my four-year degree. My sister too received support through CandleAid. This timely assistance ensured that we could both continue our studies despite the financial and personal hardships our family faced.

Thanks to this support, I successfully graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Plant Biotechnology from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, earning the Gold Medal for the highest overall GPA in my programme — one of the proudest moments of my life.

After graduation, I was approached by CandleAid who informed me about the University of Sydney masters scholarship enabled by CandleAid and LBW Trust and funded by the University. I applied and was fortunate to be selected to pursue a Master's degree in Agriculture and Environment at the University of Sydney. This experience has been truly transformative, giving me international exposure, invaluable learning, and the chance to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

I also had the opportunity to conduct part of my master's research in collaboration with the University of Sydney and the Industrial Technology Institute in Sri Lanka, which was a meaningful experience that connected my studies with my home country.

I am deeply grateful to CandleAid Lanka, LBW Trust, and the University of Sydney for making my dream of studying abroad a reality. I hope to give back in the future by supporting students like me to achieve their dreams.

Nadeera with her family

Nadeera at an LBW Fundraising Event

Lakeesha Hasanjana: A Journey of Determination

I was born in southern Sri Lanka and grew up with my parents and elder sister. My father worked as a mechanic, while my mother was a housewife. From a young age, I faced financial challenges in continuing my education, relying on government and charitable support to get through school. My parents worked tirelessly and encouraged me and my sister to study hard, believing education was the path to a better life.

I completed my primary and secondary education successfully and was selected to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Moratuwa. Throughout my university years, CandleAid Lanka provided financial assistance, which helped me continue my studies without interruption.

After graduation, CandleAid continued to support me by guiding my career path. I joined their Modern English Programme, which boosted my communication skills and professional confidence. Through their network, I also secured my first job placement, gaining valuable work experience.

When I learned that I had been selected for the University of Sydney's Sydney International Equity Scholarship, it was one of the happiest moments of my life. Pursuing a Master of Professional Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) in Sydney is indeed a dream come true. Living and studying in such a diverse, dynamic environment has broadened my horizons and strengthened my career prospects.

This scholarship has opened a new chapter in my life. In the future, I hope to support children who, like me, have dreams but struggle financially - to help them believe that with determination and the right support, anything is possible.

CandleAid Lanka Representative in Sydney

Ironically, CandleAid's representative in Sydney, Chris Fernando is a senior manager ICT employed at USYD thus making the partnership even stronger as he is able to directly interact with the students. He is also a supporter of the LBW Trust who was instrumental in introducing them to CandleAid in 2012.

Chris & Betty and Shehani & Gimantha from CandleAid, Sydney with Sachith & Nadeera