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    <title>Sithira Senanayake | Personal Blog</title>
    <link>https://sithira.me</link>
    <description>Personal blog by Sithira Senanayake - a software engineer writing about web development, Next.js, Flutter, AI, DevOps, science, and philosophy.</description>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <managingEditor>sithirasenanayake@gmail.com (Sithira Senanayake)</managingEditor>
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    <lastBuildDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:47:59 GMT</lastBuildDate>
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    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[I updated my Blog]]></title>
      <link>https://sithira.me/blog/i-updated-my-blog</link>
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      <description><![CDATA[A year after creating my blog and barely keeping it alive, I finally gave it the attention it deserved. What started as a simple theme change turned into a full redesign with new features, a new workflow, and a renewed excitement to actually write. Here's what changed, what I built, and why I'm genuinely happy with where it ended up.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sithira Senanayake]]></dc:creator>
      <author>sithirasenanayake@gmail.com (Sithira Senanayake)</author>
      <category>blog</category>
      <category>project</category>
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    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[My GSoC proposal got rejected]]></title>
      <link>https://sithira.me/blog/my-gsoc-proposal-got-rejected</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://sithira.me/blog/my-gsoc-proposal-got-rejected</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[I missed my chance at Google Summer of Code during my undergraduate years, and it always stuck with me. When my MSc made me eligible again, I wasn't going to let it slip by a second time. I found an interesting project, put together what I thought was a solid proposal, and gave it my best shot. It didn't work out, but I'm still glad I tried.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sithira Senanayake]]></dc:creator>
      <author>sithirasenanayake@gmail.com (Sithira Senanayake)</author>
      <category>blog</category>
      <category>gsoc</category>
      <category>open-source</category>
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      <title><![CDATA[How I prepared for the AWS SAA exam]]></title>
      <link>https://sithira.me/blog/how-i-prepared-for-the-aws-saa-exam</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://sithira.me/blog/how-i-prepared-for-the-aws-saa-exam</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[This article shares a first hand account of passing the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam with a score of 819, starting from zero cloud experience. It outlines an eight week preparation plan using Udemy coursse and Tutorials Dojo practice exams, with AI tools to fill knowledge gaps. It also covers exam day strategy, and time management tips]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sithira Senanayake]]></dc:creator>
      <author>sithirasenanayake@gmail.com (Sithira Senanayake)</author>
      <category>blog</category>
      <category>certification</category>
      <category>aws</category>
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    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Finally I started my MSc]]></title>
      <link>https://sithira.me/blog/finally-i-started-my-msc</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://sithira.me/blog/finally-i-started-my-msc</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[After missing the application deadline more than once, I finally made it into the MSc in Computer Science program at the University of Colombo School of Computing. The road there involved a surprisingly tough entrance test, a postponed interview, and a last-minute dress code decision. Here's how it all went, in case it helps someone going through the same process.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sithira Senanayake]]></dc:creator>
      <author>sithirasenanayake@gmail.com (Sithira Senanayake)</author>
      <category>blog</category>
      <category>msc</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[My first AWS certificate]]></title>
      <link>https://sithira.me/blog/my-first-aws-certifiacte</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://sithira.me/blog/my-first-aws-certifiacte</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[How I passed the AWS AI Practitioner exam with a score of 793, the cost math that led me to take it first, and how I prepared in 4 weeks starting from zero cloud experience. Plus a few tips on exam day that I wish I knew beforehand.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sithira Senanayake]]></dc:creator>
      <author>sithirasenanayake@gmail.com (Sithira Senanayake)</author>
      <category>blog</category>
      <category>certification</category>
      <category>aws</category>
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    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[How impressive is DeepMind's AlphaEvolve]]></title>
      <link>https://sithira.me/blog/how-impressive-is-alpha-evolve</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://sithira.me/blog/how-impressive-is-alpha-evolve</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[AlphaEvolve is DeepMind’s latest innovation in autonomous algorithmic discovery. Unlike traditional AI that writes code based on existing patterns, AlphaEvolve invents entirely new algorithms to solve complex, machine-gradable problems.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sithira Senanayake]]></dc:creator>
      <author>sithirasenanayake@gmail.com (Sithira Senanayake)</author>
      <category>ai</category>
      <category>deep-dive</category>
    </item>
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      <title><![CDATA[A life changing session]]></title>
      <link>https://sithira.me/blog/a-life-changing-session</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://sithira.me/blog/a-life-changing-session</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[In this post, I share insights from a transformative session on open source contributions led by Malinda Alahakoon and Jayasanka Weerasinghe, and how it inspired my career transition plans.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 07 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sithira Senanayake]]></dc:creator>
      <author>sithirasenanayake@gmail.com (Sithira Senanayake)</author>
      <category>blog</category>
      <category>open-source</category>
      <category>career</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[How to install n8n on a VPS using Docker]]></title>
      <link>https://sithira.me/blog/how-to-install-n8n-on-a-vps</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://sithira.me/blog/how-to-install-n8n-on-a-vps</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[A complete step-by-step guide to installing and securing n8n on your VPS using Docker, PostgreSQL, and Nginx or CyberPanel.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 23 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sithira Senanayake]]></dc:creator>
      <author>sithirasenanayake@gmail.com (Sithira Senanayake)</author>
      <category>tutorial</category>
      <category>devops</category>
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    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[How to Setup a VPS with Nginx Proxy Manager and Portainer]]></title>
      <link>https://sithira.me/blog/how-to-setup-a-vps-with-npn-and-portainer</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://sithira.me/blog/how-to-setup-a-vps-with-npn-and-portainer</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[A lightweight alternative to CyberPanel using Nginx Proxy Manager for reverse proxy and Portainer for Docker container management.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 18 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sithira Senanayake]]></dc:creator>
      <author>sithirasenanayake@gmail.com (Sithira Senanayake)</author>
      <category>tutorial</category>
      <category>devops</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Server Setup and CyberPanel Installation Guide]]></title>
      <link>https://sithira.me/blog/how-to-setup-a-vps-with-cyberpanel</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://sithira.me/blog/how-to-setup-a-vps-with-cyberpanel</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[This guide walks through the end-to-end setup of a new Linux server with a focus on security and usability, followed by the installation of CyberPanel, a modern web hosting control panel powered by OpenLiteSpeed.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sithira Senanayake]]></dc:creator>
      <author>sithirasenanayake@gmail.com (Sithira Senanayake)</author>
      <category>tutorial</category>
      <category>devops</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Project Proxima.ai - Live AI Chat Web App]]></title>
      <link>https://sithira.me/blog/proxima-ai-project</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://sithira.me/blog/proxima-ai-project</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Proxima.ai is a minimalistic live AI chat web app built with Next.js and Google Gemini API. It reflects my journey of overcoming perfectionism, using AI to speed up UI development, and focusing on shipping small, functional projects rather than chasing perfection. Future updates will include adding more models and fixing production streaming issues.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sithira Senanayake]]></dc:creator>
      <author>sithirasenanayake@gmail.com (Sithira Senanayake)</author>
      <category>project</category>
      <category>nextjs</category>
      <category>ai</category>
      <category>llm</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Why I Struggle to Finish Things]]></title>
      <link>https://sithira.me/blog/why-I-struggle-to-finish-things</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://sithira.me/blog/why-I-struggle-to-finish-things</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[This is a personal reflection on why I keep jumping from one project to another without finishing - driven by excitement, perfectionism, and Shiny Object Syndrome. I explore the mindset behind it and share the small but practical changes I’m making to finally break the cycle and follow through.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sithira Senanayake]]></dc:creator>
      <author>sithirasenanayake@gmail.com (Sithira Senanayake)</author>
      <category>personal</category>
      <category>blog</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[How I Built This Blog]]></title>
      <link>https://sithira.me/blog/how-i-built-this-blog</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://sithira.me/blog/how-i-built-this-blog</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[In this post, I share how I built my personal blog sithira.me using the Tailwind Next.js Starter Blog template. I cover the reasons behind building it, the tech stack I used, my writing workflow, and my future plans for the blog.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 13 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sithira Senanayake]]></dc:creator>
      <author>sithirasenanayake@gmail.com (Sithira Senanayake)</author>
      <category>project</category>
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