For many Sri Lankan students, studying abroad represents more than earning a qualification. It is an opportunity to build global careers, gain international exposure, and create better opportunities for the future. Recognizing both the aspirations and challenges faced by students, Amrith Weerasekara – Director of Campus Direct and Colombo International Campus (CIC), set out to make overseas education more accessible, transparent, and student-focused. Having completed his higher education in the United Kingdom, Amrith returned to Sri Lanka with a vision that would eventually reshape the local overseas education consultancy industry. What stood out to him most at the time was the fact that students were being charged simply to apply to universities or receive guidance during the admissions process.

“When I came back to Sri Lanka after studying in the UK, one thing really stood out to me, and that was that students were being charged just to apply to universities and get guidance through the process,” he explains. “To me, that felt unfair.”

This realization became the foundation of Campus Direct, a consultancy designed to remove unnecessary barriers for students pursuing international education. Since its inception, Campus Direct has operated on a student-first model, providing free personalized guidance while helping students gain admission to globally recognized universities.

Today, the organization works directly with more than 250 universities across destinations including the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, Finland, and the UAE. These partnerships include prestigious Russell Group universities in the UK and Group of Eight universities in Australia, giving students access to some of the world’s leading academic institutions. However, despite its international reach, the company’s core philosophy has remained unchanged. “The reason we started has stayed the same, to make the process more honest, accessible, and student-focused for students who want to fulfill their dream to study abroad,” says Amrith.

Over nearly two decades in the industry, trust has become one of the defining pillars of Campus Direct’s success. In an environment where students and parents make life-changing decisions, Amrith believes authenticity and personal care matter just as much as expertise. “Students and parents are not simply looking for a service,” he says. “They are placing a lot of trust in us at a very important stage of their lives, and we have always taken that responsibility seriously.”

This commitment to trust has influenced every aspect of the organization, from student counseling to team culture. Rather than treating applicants as numbers within a process, Campus Direct emphasizes empathy, personalized guidance, and long-term relationships. “We have always believed that students should feel supported, heard, and guided in a way that is honest and genuine,” Amrith explains. “Excellence does not come only from systems and processes, it also comes from empathy, consistency, and the willingness to go the extra mile.”

As Campus Direct expanded its presence across Sri Lanka, the UAE, and the UK, maintaining international standards across regions became a key priority. According to Amrith, the company’s growth strategy was never solely about increasing its footprint, but rather about improving access and support for students worldwide. “A key part of that has been building globally, not just locally,” he says. “We recruit globally, build international partnerships, and stay closely connected with universities and developments across different destinations.”

This international outlook enables Campus Direct to remain aligned with evolving global education trends while still delivering a highly personalized experience to every student and family. The organization’s commitment to quality has also been recognized through prestigious accreditations, including ICEF Agency Status (IAS) accreditation and ISO 9001:2015 certification. These achievements reflect Campus Direct’s emphasis on ethical practices, transparency, and consistent service standards.

“These recognitions reflect far more than institutional achievement,” says Amrith. “They represent our commitment to quality, credibility, and doing things the right way.”

While Campus Direct has become a trusted name in overseas education consultancy, Amrith’s vision extends beyond helping students leave Sri Lanka for higher education. Through Colombo International Campus (CIC), he aims to bring globally recognized qualifications and international learning pathways directly to local students. CIC currently offers UK qualifications such as Pearson BTEC Foundation and HND programs, creating accessible alternatives for students who may not immediately pursue full-time overseas study. For many, these pathways provide an affordable and credible route toward international degrees and careers. CIC also works closely with international institutions such as the University of East Anglia, which offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Business & Management, Law, Psychology, Computer Science & IT, Environmental Science, and Medicine & Health Sciences. “CIC was built from something we kept seeing and could not ignore,” Amrith explains. “Students genuinely wanted to pursue international education but kept facing barriers.” The reason we started has stayed the same, to make the process more honest, accessible, and student-focused for students who want to fulfill their dream to study abroad,” says Amrith.

Beyond academic qualifications, CIC focuses heavily on preparing students for real-world success. The campus emphasizes industry exposure, internships, confidence-building, and personal development to ensure students graduate with practical experience as well as academic knowledge.

“We have already signed paid internship agreements for our bio students with multiple companies and are expanding opportunities across other fields as well,” he says. “When a student leaves CIC, we want them to leave with real experience, not just a certificate.”

Located in the heart of Colombo, CIC also offers facilities such as a fully equipped gym, indoor basketball court, and recreational spaces designed to support holistic student development.
“We believe these are not extras, but part of a complete student experience,” says Amrith. “Physical activity, mental well-being, leadership, ownership, and responsibility are not built in the classroom alone.”

With plans for an upcoming rooftop multi-use recreational and sports space, CIC continues to invest in creating an educational environment that goes beyond academics.

At its core, the vision behind both Campus Direct and CIC remains rooted in empowerment, giving Sri Lankan students the confidence, opportunities, and global exposure needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.

“What we are building is not just an institution, but a launchpad,” Amrith says. “And we are only just getting started.”