Mr. G. T. Bandara, a visionary educationist from the enchanting Sri Lankan hill capital of Kandy, founded Royal Institute (RI) in 1971. With over five decades of experience and expertise as an educationist, Mr. Bandara has seen the emergence and sturdy growth of Royal Institute into a network of five branch schools and Royal Institute of Colombo, its higher education wing.
On completion of his formal school education at Science College, Matale, young Mr. Bandara found entry to the University of Peradeniya, where he pursued his first Bachelor of Science degree with specialization in Mathematics. Commencing his career as a teacher of Mathematics, he earned remarkable reputation and served both in the state and private sector schools and other educational institutes.
Exemplifying his thirst for further education, Mr. Bandara holds several degrees including LLB (SL) and MBA (Edith Cowan University) and is entitled to serve in the highly rewarding and intellectually challenging capacity of a Solicitor (UK).
Mr. G. T. Bandara is a renowned and highly prominent figure in the premier international education in Sri Lanka. He, as the Founder and Chairman, has strived to earn and uphold the standards, integrity and authenticity of his brainchild, Royal Institute International School.
He believes that it is wholehearted commitment, empathy and experience which have brought RI this far. He ensures that his teams carry out responsibilities and perform their duties with much sincerity, empathy, dedication and dignity and uphold the core values of Royal Institute. As a school that always holds its learners at core, Mr. G. T. Bandara envisages Royal Institute serving the future generations with empathy and excellence.
Dr. Nirodha Bandara, one of the youngest PhD (UK) holders in Sri Lanka, having obtained it at the age of 24, makes an immense contribution as the Academic Director, in maintaining and uplifting standards of teaching and learning at Royal Institute International School and Royal Institute of Colombo.
A proud product and a prominent alumna of Royal Institute International School, Nugegoda branch she pursued her first degree, BA (Hons) in Economics and Management, at the University of Sheffield, UK and proceeded with her Masters’ degree in Economics, at the University of Warwick, UK. The very young Dr. Bandara earned her PhD in Economics from the University of Nottingham, UK.
Apart from her field of study in Economics, she demonstrates her passion in theatre and performing and is an Associate of Trinity College of London (Performing) – Speech and Drama.
With deep driven roots back here in motherland and with a strong will to continue the vision of the Chairman towards educating the children of the nation, Dr. Nirodha Bandara was determined to return to Sri Lanka and serve her alma mater.
Mrs. Iranthi Gunawardena, the Coordinating Principal of Royal Institute International School, carries with her, nearly five decades of exceptional expertise and experience in the ever changing field of education.
A notable alumna of Ave Maria Convent, Negombo, Mrs. Gunawardena graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Peradeniya. Adding to her incomparably extensive years of service and experience in the industry, she also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Education. Furthermore, Ms. Gunawardena earned her MPhil in Education from the University of Colombo. She had served in the capacity of a Master Teacher attached to the Open University of Sri Lanka and also served as a Marking Examiner for Economics at the National Advanced Level examination for over 10 years. Thirty two years in her career, from 1974 to 2006, were dedicated to serving as the teacher of Economics and Business Studies at Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya, besides handling the responsibilities of the AL Sectional Head.
Since 2006, Mrs. Gunawardena has been with Royal Institute International School, and works tirelessly towards implementing novel strategies and strengthening the prevailing good practices in order to enhance and maintain the quality and standards of education the entire Royal Institute International Schools’ network provides to the nation. Moreover, she is the guiding light, the great matriarch figure, all Principals, Vice Principals and teachers look up to with such fondness.