QJ16: From Bio Science to QA Leadership: The Unscripted Journey of Chanakya Dharmasiri

Chanakya Dharmasiri’s journey into Quality Assurance didn’t begin with a grand plan, and it began with a pivot. Originally from a Bio-science background, she sat for her Advanced Level Examination with hopes of entering a government university to pursue a traditional science degree. But life had other ideas. An unexpected turn led her to pursue an IT degree that also having transferred from the University of Jaffna to Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. A decision that would quietly shape the rest of her professional life.

After completing her degree, Chanakya worked as a temporary demonstrator at the university for nearly two years. During this time, she reassessed her career goals and decided to step into the IT industry, initially aiming to become a Project Manager.

She began by applying for a Business Analyst role, but was informed during the interview that no new BA batches were being hired. However, HR suggested a different opportunity and it's a QA role. It wasn’t the path she had in mind, but she accepted the challenge. That decision marked the beginning of her career in software quality assurance.

Starting from the Ground Up

Chanakya’s QA career began at Virtusa Pvt Ltd, a leading multinational software company. She joined as an Apprentice QA Engineer, undergoing three months of rigorous training. In Virtusa she earned her promotions first to Associate Engineer – QA, and then to Engineer – QA. During her two years at Virtusa, she gained a deep understanding of the software development lifecycle, honing both her technical and analytical skills. This foundational experience allowed her to see beyond test cases. She began to understand how QA fits into the bigger picture of delivering quality products.

Exploring Project Management

Still motivated by her original goal of becoming a project manager, Chanakya moved to eMarketingEye Pvt Ltd (EME), a digital marketing and web development agency. She took on the role of Project Coordinator, eventually leading multiple web project teams as a Web Project Manager. This role helped her develop leadership, stakeholder management, and multitasking capabilities, but something kept pulling her back toward quality. She realized her passion was not just about managing timelines and tasks. It was about building reliable software and improving processes.

Embracing QA Leadership

During her job search for project management roles, she interviewed for a position where her QA experience stood out. She was asked whether she would consider a QA Lead role instead. Though it wasn’t aligned with her original plan, she embraced the opportunity, seeing it as a chance to combine leadership with her growing expertise in quality assurance.

She joined Axionent Pvt Ltd (formerly ATSL Telesoft, part of the Access Group) as a QA Lead. At the time, there was no formal QA process in place. Working closely with the COO and CTO, she spearheaded the design and implementation of a structured QA process across the company. Driving change wasn’t easy. Resistance to process changes surfaced early, but with persistence, collaboration, and strategic communication, Chanakya successfully rolled out a new QA framework. Her work laid a strong foundation for long-term quality improvement across the organization.

Unfortunately, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, financial difficulties led to a company-wide layoff, and she had to part ways with Axionent.

A Pause and a Reset

The layoff coincided with the global COVID-19 outbreak. Many companies froze hiring or retracted offers, making this period one of the most difficult in her career. Chanakya moved back in with her parents during the lockdown, taking the time to reset and reflect. After nearly seven months, she re-entered the job market and received two QA Lead offers, both with managerial responsibilities.

Building a QA Center of Excellence

Chanakya chose to join iTelaSoft as the QA Lead and Head of the Software Quality Assurance Practice. When she came onboard, the QA team in Sri Lanka comprised around 22 members. Under her leadership, the team expanded to 35 members across Sri Lanka and India, and eventually grew into a 50-member team across Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan.

She championed structured training programs focused on test automation, performance testing, and security testing. Every team member who started as a manual tester was guided and upskilled to become a technical QA engineer. Her vision and strategic planning ensured that the QA function consistently delivered high-quality products, while also fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

During this period, she also contributed to the SLAACOM Quality Member Forum, actively supporting and organizing several quality-focused events, staying connected to the QA community.

Industry Recognition and Legacy

One of her proudest achievements during her time at iTelaSoft was leading the company to earn the prestigious ISTQB Platinum Partnership for the Sri Lankan branch making it one of only two such partners in the country. She later guided the Indian branch to achieve the ISTQB Gold Partnership as well. These recognitions reflected more than just certification. They symbolized the maturity, capability, and credibility of the QA function she had helped build from the ground up.

The Bigger Picture

Chanakya’s story is a proof of how career paths don’t always follow a straight line. Her journey from Bio Science student to QA Leader was shaped by adaptability, curiosity, and a passion for quality.

She believes that QA is more than just testing; it's about advocating for the user, driving engineering excellence, and building trust in technology. And sometimes, the most impactful journeys begin with an unexpected detour.

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