Rainbow Institute at 15: Empowering Voices, Building Confidence

When the Rainbow Institute of Communication opened its doors in 2010, its mission was

simple: to help people speak with confidence. Fifteen years later, it has trained thousands of

students, professionals, and community leaders, becoming one of the country’s most trusted

names in communication, business English, and soft skills training.

This milestone is more than just longevity—it is about impact. Across Colombo’s corporate

boardrooms, community halls, classrooms, and newsrooms, Rainbow’s influence is evident.

Take 29-year-old Anushka Fernando, for instance. She joined Rainbow as a nervous

undergraduate who struggled to introduce herself in English. Today, she works at a

multinational firm, leading client presentations. “I owe a lot of my confidence to Rainbow,” she says. “The trainers didn’t just teach us English—they encouraged us to believe in ourselves.”

It is stories like Anushka’s that reflect Rainbow’s journey. Students who once arrived shy and

hesitant have grown into confident speakers. Alumni have gone on to become news anchors, corporate leaders, and entrepreneurs. Others simply found the courage to express themselves in meetings, interviews, and everyday life.

For co-founder and Director of Academic Affairs, Mahishka Fernando, the anniversary is a

moment of gratitude and reflection.

“We never imagined that what began as a small training initiative would grow into a nationally recognized institute,” she says. “But our vision has always been clear: to give people the tools to communicate, lead, and thrive.”

At the heart of this vision is the institute’s Lead Trainer, Dr. Mahim Mendis—eminent

academic, respected public intellectual, and a powerful public speaker. His dynamic teaching style and wealth of experience have inspired thousands, strengthening Rainbow’s reputation as the premier institute for communication training.

The last 15 years have not been without challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rainbow Institute made a bold pivot to online training at a time when many organizations were struggling. The gamble paid off. Virtual classrooms attracted participants not only from Sri Lanka but also from overseas. “The pandemic taught us that communication skills are

borderless,” Mahishka recalls. Today, students from the Maldives, Korea, Japan, and the Middle East continue to benefit from Rainbow’s programmes.

Rainbow’s work has also gone far beyond corporate training. Over the years, the institute has

mentored hundreds of young journalists and civic leaders, particularly during times of political and economic upheaval. Many of them have since become strong voices in their communities, advocating for democracy, transparency, and social justice.

Experts say Rainbow’s success lies in its unique blend of professionalism and relatability.

“Rainbow has credibility because it understands the local context,” notes past student Dilani

Perera. “It’s not just about textbook English—it’s about equipping people to succeed in real

workplaces and real conversations.”

Looking ahead, the institute is expanding its reach across the country through partnerships with regional organizations. It has also recently launched its popular Public Speaking and

Presentation Skills Programme in Sinhala, offered both online and in-person, making its

expertise accessible to wider audiences.

For its alumni, the legacy is already clear. As one graduate summed it up: “Rainbow didn’t just change how I speak. It changed how I see myself.”

And perhaps that is the true achievement of its first 15 years—helping people not only to find their voices but also to believe that those voices matter.