Biography

Ranil Fernando’s story begins in a small factory in Sri Lanka, producing toys for export to places around the world, including The Walt Disney Company. When he first joined, the work was simple, basic toy mice made from single molds with little detail. Starting as an ordinary employee, Ranil quickly revealed a natural gift for artistry. Soon, he began sculpting detailed clay figures of well-known Disney characters, pieces that would go on to become some of the company’s most successful products. His talent did not go unnoticed, and he soon became an integral part of the factory’s success.

It was during this time that he began experimenting with a new approach, working with fiberglass in ways that had not yet been explored in his field. Yet despite his growing recognition, something within him felt unfulfilled. As his first daughter was on the way, he made the difficult decision to leave his job, with no backup plan, no certainty, only faith to guide him.

Working out of a small shed beside his home, Ranil began again. He explored everything from Halloween masks and toys to decorative ornaments, continuing to refine his technique. Gradually, his work began to shift, moving closer to something more personal. He started to merge his craft with his faith, seeing his work as an offering to the hands that created him.

One day, he received a call from a priest at St. Jude’s Shrine Church, inviting him to view a newly built church with the possibility of work. Filled with hope, he made the journey in his three-wheeler. But upon arrival, the priest was uncertain, doubtful of both his new methods and the idea of creating sacred statues in fiberglass. Still, seeing something in Ranil, he offered him a small task, to create decorative ornaments for the church windows.

Though it was not the opportunity he had hoped for, Ranil accepted it as a beginning. Without receiving any advance payment, he placed the only money he had, a single 20-rupee note, into the church offering box before returning home. That moment became the foundation of everything that followed, a life rooted in faith, sacrifice, and trust.

Over time, that small beginning grew into something far greater. Today, that very church holds numerous custom pieces shaped by his hands. Across Sri Lanka, nearly every town and village carries a piece shaped by his hands, his work quietly woven into the sacred spaces and everyday lives of communities across the island. What began in a small shed has grown into a full workshop, built on the same ground where his journey first started.

Many of his creations now stand in places of deep spiritual significance around the world, including sites connected to Holy Land and Lourdes. Yet for Ranil, these are not achievements, but reminders. He believes all that has come from his hands is a testament to God’s grace and goodwill.

Today, he continues to live by that truth, with a quiet desire to let his work reach beyond borders, to carry faith, meaning, and devotion into the hearts of people around the world.