Sri Lankan Student Nureshi Hettiarachchi’s Remarkable Journey to Gold at the SEAMO 2025 Finals

A remarkable achievement by a young Sri Lankan student has brought international recognition to the country after she outperformed 334 talented children from 22 countries to emerge as a global champion.

Nureshi Ruvithma Hettiarachchi, a Grade 3 student of Lyceum International School, Kurunegala, won the Gold Medal at the South East Asian Mathematical Olympiad (SEAMO) 2025, proudly placing Sri Lanka at the top of the international competition.

Competing in the 6–8 age category, Nureshi first secured her place in the international finals in Malaysia by obtaining the highest marks in Sri Lanka’s national qualifying competition.

She went on to deliver an exceptional performance at the finals, scoring a perfect 100 out of 100 marks. Her achievement came after successfully tackling challenging questions covering Geometry, Algebra, Arithmetic, Number Patterns, Probability and Logical Reasoning.

Her outstanding performance earned her first place in the competition and the coveted Gold Medal.

Following her international success, Nureshi was invited to the Presidential Secretariat in Sri Lanka, where she received special recognition for her remarkable achievement.

The only daughter of a doctor father and a lawyer mother, Nureshi has developed her abilities with the constant love, encouragement and guidance of her parents. Their support has helped her pursue a wide range of interests while nurturing her exceptional mathematical talent.

Beyond mathematics, Nureshi has demonstrated talent in singing, writing, public speaking and swimming. Looking ahead, she dreams of becoming either a paediatric specialist or an astronomer.

Her success at SEAMO 2025 is not only a personal milestone but also a proud moment for Sri Lanka. Competing against hundreds of talented young students from around the world, Nureshi has demonstrated the talent, determination and potential of Sri Lanka’s younger generation.

Her remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to other young Sri Lankans, showing that with dedication, encouragement and perseverance, they too can reach the highest levels of international competition.

Nureshi Hettiarachchi’s Gold Medal victory is a proud achievement for her family, her school and the entire nation, and a shining example of the extraordinary potential of Sri Lanka’s young minds.