Students of Gateway College delivered an exceptional performance at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) National Competition 2026, emerging as one of the most successful schools at the event and securing multiple top awards across categories.
The competition, organised by Burhani Serendib College in Colombo, was held under the theme “Robots Meet Culture” and drew participation from 66 teams and over 500 students from across the island. The event underscored the growing national priority of technological innovation, a value prominently championed by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who graced the opening ceremony as Chief Guest.
Gateway College distinguished itself by securing the highest number of awards at the competition. In the Senior Category, Team MechRE from Gateway College Negombo, comprising Nethika Rangajeewa, Ometh Pathirana, and Sineth Pathirana, claimed 1st Place, while Team Tour Guide, also from Gateway College Negombo, with Rusiru Madanasinghe, Buddhika David, and Netulto Suriyage, secured 3rd Place.
In the Junior Category, Team TEC Code from Gateway College Dehiwala, consisting of Sanul Dewsithu, ThinukaIllankoon, and Sithil Perera, was awarded 2nd Place.
Further recognition came in the Elementary Category, where Team Steel Sparks, represented by Pavara Hettiarachchi and Vidura Basnayake from Gateway College Negombo, received the Young Innovators Award. Team Peralikatuma, consisting of Akain Karunarathna, Praveen Alaguraj, and Marino Perera from Gateway College Negombo, was honoured with the Technical Excellence Award.
Both Team TEC Code and Team MechRE were selected among the top five teams in Sri Lanka to represent the country at the international stages of the World Robot Olympiad. Team TEC Code will compete at the World Robot Olympiad 2026 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, while Team MechRE will represent Sri Lanka at the WRO Asia Championship in Hyderabad, India.
These accomplishments reflect not only the students’ technical expertise and creativity, but also their dedication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities, qualities that are essential in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Gateway College’s success in robotics is underpinned by its longstanding commitment to technology-driven education. For several years, the school has implemented comprehensive Robotics and Artificial Intelligence programmes while introducing coding to all students from the Foundation stage at the age of five through to Secondary grades, delivered via an in-house developed Computing curriculum. As a recognised Microsoft Showcase School, Gateway continues to integrate cutting edge digital tools and innovative teaching practices into its curriculum, fostering a culture of creativity, critical thinking, and future readiness among its students.
The achievements of Gateway students at the World Robot Olympiad National Competition stand as a testament to the school’s vision of empowering learners to excel both locally and globally, and to contribute meaningfully to the future of technology.
