Right is right and wrong is wrong. The truth of your character will be expressed by the choices you make. Perfect Prefect features Head Boy of Richmond College, Galle, Anupama Wickramasingha, who believes that your character will be what you choose to make it.
Honesty is his hallmark he says, but the story of his life goes way beyond simply being honest. For Wickramasingha telling right from wrong and putting that into practice is imperative. He has a strong character and if someone points out a fault or weakness in his character, he is always ready to correct his own faults. For Wickramasingha a person’s beauty or his/her attractive personality will never make him compromise his core values. Right is right and wrong is wrong. No one is above the law.
“We cannot change society completely. But I think if a person can change his/her attitude and stand up for what is right, he along with others will be able to change society to some extent. As one example I wish to point out Mahatma Gandhi. He was a small, bespectacled and unassuming man who championed non-violence. Everyone knows about the man who lead the successful campaign for India’s independence from British rule. Mahatma Gandhi permanently changed not only India. The lives of thousands of people all around the world have been changed by his message. Students around the world look to him for inspiration in their day to day lives. Workers in the public and private sector do the same. I think he was able to lead India to independence because of his patriotic spirit and of course because of his strong set of values,” explained Wickramasingha.
Wickramasingha says that we come into the world with nothing. Once more he points out that the quality he values the most about himself is honesty. According to Wickramasingha you have to be honest and you need to work hard. That is his formula for success. He also added that if you want to see change in the world, well then you need to work on yourself first of all. Gandhi was taken seriously by his followers because of his conduct.
 Head Boy Anupama Wickramasingha |
June 7, 1893, during a train trip to Pretoria, South Africa, a white man objected to Gandhi’s presence in the first-class railway compartment although he had a ticket. Refusing to move to the back of the train, Gandhi was forcibly removed and thrown off the train at a station in Pietermaritzburg. He could have allowed himself to become embittered and incite his followers to violently resist the British. But he chose Non-violence. This endeared him to many.
“Some of my favorite quotes from Mahatma Gandhi is –‘You must be the change you want to see in the world’ and ‘As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world – that is the myth of the atomic age – as in being able to remake ourselves’.
Just how many entrepreneurs are there? According to the editors at asianentrepreneur.org just 400 million globally. That is around five percent of the total population. His goal is to create his own business and he goes onto explain how it should be done. His advice to young people who want to start their own business will certainly be of interest to young people.
“As a leader, you must always listen to others and lead your team in the right direction by overcoming challenges and making the right decisions while managing your time. For school leavers I would say that when you leave school, never forget the skills you learned in school. Never forget the legacy of your alma mater. What you learn from school will contribute to your success. Never forget your school. You owe your school a huge debt. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and honor your school. Someone in your team might have a solution to a problem and that solution may be more effective than the one you have come up with. Therefore, it is so important to encourage discussion and discourse. A leader should always be an example for others.”
Wickramasingha described the Richmond College crest/logo.
“Education is the first step when it comes to progress. That is what is meant by the ship sailing on the waves. The waves symbolize life. The ship symbolizes education. The bright stars symbolize the triple gems (Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha) and the holy trinity (the father, the son & the holy spirit) The three bright stars illuminate the path of the ship called Education. School children can learn a lot from the logo itself,” said Wickramasingha.
Another leader he admires is Dr. C.W.W Kannangara, an old boy of his school. As Minister of Education in the State Council, Kannangara and the Committees of Education introduced extensive reforms to the education system of Sri Lanka making education free for all students.
“What he did in my opinion was a great service for economically disadvantaged children. At present a large number of students are still enjoying free education. To me he is one of the most talented and successful leaders in Sri Lankan history,” said Wickramasingha.
His hero is his father who has guided him since childhood and given him the strength to overcome the challenges he has faced in life. He says his father is behind his every victory. He did not forget to mention his dear mother who along with his father is the reason for where he, Wickramasingha is today. Last but not least he thanked his Principal and teachers for supporting him right throughout.
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