Sri Lanka- Visually impaired student overcomes hurdles, achieves academic excellence

Brian Kingston has achieved outstanding academic excellence, obtaining the highest 9 A* in the 2020 GCE Ordinary Level examination. As a visually impaired student, 16-year-old Kingston stands as a source of inspiration to his peers to take the cue and learn how positive minds can overcome all obstacles ahead. Born as the second son to a family in Mattakuliya, Brian is visually impaired, yet his disability is never an obstacle to achieve his high ambitions. “I will exert my utmost efforts to make my mother happy and proud,” Brian says, adding, “My mother has been my biggest strength, my mentor and my everything. She guided me through each and every step of my journey and the faith she has in me has given me the strength to achieve my dreams and to make her the happiest mother on earth.” Brian, a student at the Ratmalana College for the Blind, made history as the first visually impaired student in the school to score 9 A’s in the GCE Ordinary Level Examination. Brian has never attended extra classes through his entire school life and he hopes to become a lawyer by pursuing a career in arts.