Originally from Sri Lanka, Yudara came to Canada alongside his wife in 2014, ready to relaunch his professional career after having lived in London, England. Passionate about education and community building, his initial move abroad provided an opportunity for him to build on his prior experience in Sri Lanka and earn his bachelor’s and master’s degree from the top-rated institution in his field.

Despite his extensive international experience before coming to Canada, Yudara, like many newcomers, found it challenging to land a position that matched his skill set and prior experience. Having searched in many cities, his first professional opportunity came when he was hired as a project manager for City of Hamilton – an employer that actually motivated him to settle in Hamilton.

Since then, Yudara has used his professional experience to support the most vulnerable in Hamilton. He has managed education programs for marginalized communities in the city and currently works in the post-secondary sector promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion.

A strong believer in the power of mentorship and volunteering, when Yudara is not working, he dedicates his free time to supporting newcomers and youth wherever possible. Throughout his time in Hamilton, he has been an active member of various initiatives including the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council. Now a proud father, Yudara is happy to raise his family in Hamilton and continues to look for ways to give back to the community he calls home.