Tharindu Kalhara

Cloud & DevOps Platforms Engineer Intern | DevRel Engineer | AWS Community Builder | Lecturer at IDET

Not everyone finds their calling early! I found mine at the intersection of cloud infrastructure, open-source community, and the joy of teaching others. I'm Tharindu, a Cloud & DevOps Platform Engineer currently interning while completing my Bachelor of Information & Communication Technology (Honours) in Software Technology at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. What drives me isn't just building systems, it's making the complex feel approachable. Over the years, I've had the privilege of training more than 7,500 students and professionals, from school-aged learners to corporate teams, both in classrooms and enterprise settings. I currently serve as a lecturer at the Institute of Digital Engineering Technology (IDET), delivering AWS and Cloud Operations programs.

As an AWS Community Builder (Containers category), I'm deeply invested in growing the cloud-native ecosystem in Sri Lanka, organizing community meetups, speaking at universities, and serving as a judge at national-level competitions including Beauty of Cloud (Sri Lanka's first cloud hackathon) and IDEALIZE by the University of Moratuwa. My professional journey has taken me through ML production work at OREL IT and a DevRel engineering role at CertDirectory.io, a globally recognized certification platform with CNCF partnership.

As the founding chairperson of CryptX (Sri Lanka's first island-wide triple-tech event combining a Hackathon, CTF, and Designathon), I believe innovation thrives when communities are built with purpose. That belief also led me to host a podcast series with prominent IT industry personalities, and to run an active YouTube channel where I break down DevOps, cloud computing, and career strategies for a global audience.

I run mentorship programs for fellow students and am a consistent voice in Sri Lanka's tech community, recognized as the LinkedIn Rising Star (Sri Lanka, October 2025) and ranked in the Top 10 Tech Voices twice by Favikon. My mission is simple: make Cloud and DevOps practical, scalable, and human. Whether through a webinar, a Kubernetes walkthrough, or a conversation over coffee, if it moves the community forward, I'm in.

Academic background

Jul 2023 – Jul 2027
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
BICT(Hons) in Software Engineering (UG)
Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte.
Apr 2022 – Jul 2023
University of Moratuwa
Trainee Full Stack Developer, Computer Software Engineering
Virtual Course Program
Completed all the 6 courses successfully.
Dec 2021
Richmond College
Engineering Technology, General
Galle, Sri Lanka
I scored 4 A's with 2.6341 GPA in Engineering Technology Stream and I was able to obtain the 4th rank of Galle District, and 51st rank of Sri Lanka.
- Engineering Technology - A
- Science For Technology - A
- Information & Comm. Technology - A
- General English - A
Aug 2019
St. Anthony's College Baddegama
GCE Ordinary Level
Baddgema, Galle, Sri Lanka
I scored 8 A's and 1 B in my Ordinary Level Examination in year 2018

Jul 2023 – Jul 2027

University of Sri Jayewardenepura

BICT(Hons) in Software Engineering (UG)

Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte.

Apr 2022 – Jul 2023

University of Moratuwa

Trainee Full Stack Developer, Computer Software Engineering

Virtual Course Program

Completed all the 6 courses successfully.

Dec 2021

Richmond College

Engineering Technology, General

Galle, Sri Lanka

I scored 4 A's with 2.6341 GPA in Engineering Technology Stream and I was able to obtain the 4th rank of Galle District, and 51st rank of Sri Lanka.

Engineering Technology - A
Science For Technology - A
Information & Comm. Technology - A
General English - A

Aug 2019

St. Anthony's College Baddegama

GCE Ordinary Level

Baddgema, Galle, Sri Lanka

I scored 8 A's and 1 B in my Ordinary Level Examination in year 2018

Honors & Awards

LinkedIn Rising Star – Sri Lanka (October 2025)
Top 10 Tech Voice in Sri Lanka (3×, by Favikon)
Best Performance Awards - FOT, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

What Industry Experts Say

“I have known Tharindu Kalhara for some time, and what stands out the most is his unwavering commitment and dedication to everything he pursues. Tharindu has a remarkable ability to work well with others, fostering an environment of trust and collaboration. He is the kind of person who always puts in the extra effort to ensure that goals are met and that those around him are supported in their efforts as well. Tharindu’s dedication is admirable; he is known for being dependable and passionate, with a strong focus on making a positive impact. Even though I haven’t had the opportunity to work directly with him, I have no doubt that his team spirit and drive for success make him an exceptional professional. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for someone who embodies teamwork, commitment, and a strong sense of purpose.”

Damith Jayasinghe

Chief Operating Officer at Gensoft

“Tharindu was a valuable member of our team. In his role an Associate, Tharindu consistently demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and strong performance. He was contributing positively to our projects and workplace. I recommend Tharindu for any future opportunities he pursue.”

Piyumi Sithara Hansamali

Assistant Manager - HR | HR Generalist

“Tharindu had worked with me on the same organization where he showed tremendous commitment and hard working skills on his allocated work load. As a new employee on the organization he had adopted to the working environment very easily and improved himself in a quick succession. He was a quick learner & a good team player who we allocated to manage a small group of employees with regard to his ability to perform under pressure and skill set he had in people management. All and all he would be a "great asset" to any company who will be looking to hire him.”

Praveena Nirmana

Manager - Cluster Operations at OREL IT

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Tharindu for a while, and I can confidently say that he possesses a vast amount of knowledge and hands-on experience in cloud, DevOps, and software engineering. He has a strong technical foundation and is always eager to explore and work with various technologies. What truly sets Tharindu apart is his friendly and approachable nature, making him a great teammate and someone who’s very easy to work with. He is a hardworking individual who is passionate about sharing his knowledge with others through platforms like LinkedIn and YouTube, helping many in the tech community grow and learn. I highly recommend Tharindu to anyone looking to work with a skilled, dedicated, and collaborative professional.”

Koshila Sandaru

Cloud Engineer @ NEXT

“It is a pleasure to recommend Tharindu Kalhara, who reported to me during his tenure at Orel IT. During his time with the team, Tharindu consistently stood out for his proactive approach and technical agility. He is a remarkably fast learner; regardless of the complexity of a project or a new toolset, he was able to get up to speed quickly and deliver results with minimal supervision. Beyond his technical capabilities, Tharindu is a self-motivated professional who takes true ownership of his work. He doesn't just wait for instructions; he looks for ways to improve processes and add value. He is also a natural team player—the kind of person who elevates the group’s morale and is always willing to support his colleagues to meet a deadline. Tharindu would be a significant asset to any organization looking for a dedicated, quick-thinking, and collaborative professional. I am confident he will excel in any challenge he pursues.”

Kaushalya Ranasinghe

Head of Operations | Senior Program & Transformation Leader

“Tharindu is someone who is not only technically curious but also has the drive. He explained the intricacies of getting my start with YouTube, and his level of patience and knowledge is hard to find. As someone who has worked with many students looking to break into the software engineering industry, I can confidently say that Tharindu is someone with the enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge that differentiates him from the rest. I believe Tharindu is more than ready for any task in the realm of Software Engineering, Cloud, or DevOps.”

Heshan Perera

Senior Security Engineer

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Tharindu and have been consistently impressed by his dedication and talent.Tharindu has a great attitude towards teamwork and is always ready to take on challenges and manage responsibilities beyond expectations. His ability to quickly grab complex concepts and combined with his positive mindset make him an asset to any team.”

Achintha Bandaranaike

Associate Tech Lead at MillenniumIT ESP

“Tharindu is a passionate Cloud and DevOps professional with a remarkable drive for learning and sharing knowledge. His commitment to simplifying complex cloud concepts and empowering others through training and community work is truly inspiring. With strong expertise across AWS, Azure, and automation, Tharindu continues to make a real impact in the tech ecosystem.”

Dulan Herath

Software Engineer - AI

“I had the pleasure of collaborating with Tharindu Kalhara on an educational YouTube video series, and it was truly an inspiring experience. Tharindu is an exceptionally passionate and creative individual who continuously pushes the boundaries of educational content creation. His ability to transform complex topics into engaging and meaningful discussions reflects both his deep knowledge and his genuine commitment to sharing learning with others. What stands out most about Tharindu is his professionalism, clarity in communication, and the positive energy he brings to every collaboration. I highly recommend Tharindu to anyone looking to work with a forward-thinking content creator who blends education, creativity, and impact seamlessly. It’s been a privilege working with him, and I look forward to seeing his continued success in shaping meaningful educational conversations.”

Dhananjaya Lahiru Bandara

Academic in Engineering and Computing

“I’ve had the pleasure of advising Tharindu, a talented software engineering student, on his career path. Throughout our interactions, he has demonstrated a strong work ethic, a keen interest in learning, and a commitment to his personal and professional growth. Tharindu is a responsible individual who takes initiative in his learning and always strives to improve his skills. His passion for software engineering is evident, and he consistently shows dedication to mastering new concepts and techniques. I’ve been impressed by his ability to grasp complex topics and apply them in practical ways. He’s a quick learner, proactive in seeking advice, and always ready to take on new challenges. I would highly recommend Tharindu for any organization looking for a bright, responsible, and driven software engineer. His technical skills, combined with his passion and responsibility, make him a great asset to any team.”

Ishani Nuwanthika

Senior QA Engineer @Axiata Digital Labs

“I had the privilege of working alongside Tharindu while handling different responsibilities, and I truly value the collaborative experience we shared. Even though I am not from a strong DevOps and cloud background, it was clear to me that his potential in this field is outstanding. He is an exceptionally talented undergraduate with a strong passion for DevOps and cloud, already well-recognized in the Sri Lankan tech community. His curiosity to learn and experiment is remarkable, and the depth of his domain knowledge at such an early stage of his career is truly impressive. Tharindu manages multiple tasks in parallel with excellent time management, focus, and the ability to perform under pressure. He is also a skilled instructor who shares knowledge effectively and supports others generously. I am genuinely happy to see how far he has come already, and I confidently recommend him as a valuable team player and an outstanding young professional who will be an asset to any organization.”

Dulanga Kalhari

Key Account Manager

“It's my immense pleasure to recommend Tharindu, His passion towards growing community and himself too, towards Cloud and DevOps is commendable. I wish him the very best of luck for his career endeavours. I vouch for him.”

Sourav Saha

Manager, IT Infrastructure & Cloud Operations @ MSM Unify

“I am pleased to recommend Tharindu Kalhara, who has been an exceptional Associate Image Processor on our team. He consistently maintains the highest standards of project quality, ensuring that all deliverables meet or exceed expectations. Tharindu Kalhara is adept at working within tight timelines, demonstrating remarkable efficiency and dedication to meeting deadlines. His adherence to industry standards and workplace ethics is commendable, reflecting a strong commitment to professional integrity. Moreover, Tharindu Kalhara possesses excellent communication skills, facilitating seamless collaboration within the team. He is also proactive in learning new technologies, which has been invaluable in keeping our projects innovative and up-to-date. I am confident that Tharindu Kalhara will continue to be a valuable asset to any team he join, and I highly recommend him for any future opportunities.”

Ashan Rathnayake

Project Manager at Colsoftware

“I had the privilege of working with Tharindu as an IT Business analyst, where Tharindu consistently impressed me with his technical skills and expertise in data analysis. He was always able to find innovative solutions to complex technical problems, demonstrating a strong ability to work well under pressure and handle multiple projects. Tharindu was also able to effectively communicate technical information to non-technical stakeholders, making Tharindu a valuable asset to any team. I highly recommend Tharindu & wish him every success in his future endeavors!”