Available for roles & freelance engagements

Building secure, automated cloud infrastructure that just works.

IT Systems Specialist · Systems Administrator · Freelance Developer
Founder & Operator of Merkei Solutions

I design, deploy, and harden the systems businesses run on - from Zero Trust network architecture and containerized backends to Python automation that removes manual work. I turn fragile, ad-hoc setups into resilient, self-running infrastructure.

View Selected Work → ⤓ Download CV Get in Touch
5
Cloud platforms
6
Production systems shipped
0
Inbound ports exposed
About Me

Infrastructure, security, and automation - under one roof.

I'm N.T.H.M Vinod Lakmal, an IT Systems Specialist and Systems Administrator who also builds the software that runs on the infrastructure I manage. That dual perspective is my edge: I don't just keep servers online, I architect the full stack - network, security, deployment, and application - so the whole system is reliable by design.

Through my company Merkei Solutions, I help businesses move off fragile, manually-managed setups and onto cloud infrastructure that is secure, containerized, and automated. My work centres on three things: provisioning and operating cloud environments across Azure, AWS, Google Cloud (GCP), DigitalOcean, and Contabo; locking them down with Cloudflare Zero Trust so nothing is needlessly exposed; and writing Python and Bash automation that eliminates the repetitive operational work teams would otherwise do by hand.

Whether I'm migrating an SMS gateway, standing up a FastAPI backend, or wiring a trading-alert bot to Discord, my goal is the same - ship something that runs itself, stays secure, and delivers measurable business value.

What I focus on

  • ◆Cloud Infrastructure - provisioning, scaling, and operating multi-provider environments.
  • ◆Microsoft 365 & Workspace Admin - Entra ID, Exchange, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Intune & Google Workspace.
  • ◆Enterprise Security & Networking - Fortinet, Checkpoint & Meraki firewalls, Cloudflare Zero Trust, WAF.
  • ◆Monitoring & Automation - open-source monitoring systems and Python/Bash that replace manual ops.
  • ◆Backend Engineering - FastAPI + PostgreSQL services built for production.
Career

Work experience.

15+ years across international and enterprise IT environments - from government infrastructure to fintech and digital operations.

Merkei Solutions2026 - Present
Founder & Operator · Freelance Developer
Founded and operate an IT solutions practice delivering cloud infrastructure, backend development, and security architecture - building production systems with FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Docker, and Cloudflare Zero Trust across Azure, DigitalOcean, and Contabo.
Neovation Digital2024 NOV - 2026 FEB
Senior Network & System Administrator
Managed Microsoft 365 / Entra ID, Fortinet firewalls, and Azure/Windows/Linux servers; deployed end-user monitoring and led open-source rollouts (asset management, RMM, OrangeHR, IT service desk); administered full VoIP environments (Sangoma, Issabel, PBX, SIP trunking).
Global Tote Lankan - BETMAKERS Group2020 NOV - 2024 NOV
IT Administrator
Configured Checkpoint & Meraki firewalls and Cisco switches; administered Windows/Linux servers with backups and DR planning; managed Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Active Directory, and CCTV/fingerprint access systems; supported users via ServiceNow and Jira.
Ktronix Lanka2019 FEB - 2020 OCT
Senior IT Technician
Built and upgraded systems, configured routers, and provided LAN/WAN network setup for clients; administered CCTV, fingerprint systems, and domain controller maintenance.
Ministry of Public Works - Kuwait2015 APR - 2018 APR
IT Systems Administrator
Implemented and managed domain controllers; administered network printers, fingerprint systems, and CCTV; ensured smooth IT operations through troubleshooting and end-user support in an international government environment.
Beyond Computers Pvt Ltd2009 MAY - 2015 MAR
Senior IT Technician
Supported IT infrastructure across Windows, Linux, and Mac systems; administered email systems (Outlook, POP/IMAP/SMTP, Exchange - cloud and on-prem); handled troubleshooting, installation, and client network setup.
Selected Work

Projects, by the value they delivered.

Each engagement framed using the STAR method - situation, task, action, and the measurable result.

eSIM Inventory & Delivery Platform

FastAPIPostgreSQLPythonAutomation
Situation
eSIM orders and fulfilment were handled manually, creating delays and a high risk of human error as volume grew.
Task
Build a backend that could create orders and trigger delivery reliably, without staff intervention.
Action
Engineered a FastAPI + PostgreSQL service handling order creation, inventory state, and automated delivery notifications end to end.
Result
Fulfilment became hands-off - orders flow from creation to delivery automatically, cutting manual effort and turnaround time to near-zero.

Enterprise SMS Gateway

Jasmin SMSDigitalOceanOTPSecurity
Situation
The business needed secure, high-availability OTP delivery to authenticate users at scale.
Task
Migrate and configure a production SMS gateway capable of handling automated OTP traffic securely.
Action
Migrated and configured a Jasmin SMS Gateway on DigitalOcean, tuning it for secure, automated OTP services.
Result
A reliable, self-hosted OTP pipeline that secures user authentication while keeping delivery in the business's full control.

Zero Trust Security Architecture

Cloudflare TunnelsZero TrustWAFNetworking
Situation
Multiple servers were reachable over open inbound ports - a broad and unnecessary attack surface.
Task
Secure access to every environment without exposing services directly to the public internet.
Action
Implemented Cloudflare Tunnels and Zero Trust policies across all server environments, routing access through Cloudflare's edge.
Result
Zero open inbound ports across the fleet - drastically reducing the attack surface while keeping access seamless for authorised users.

Cryptocurrency Alert System

PythonBinance APIDiscordReal-time
Situation
Monitoring trading pairs manually was impractical and meant missing time-sensitive market moves.
Task
Automate continuous monitoring and deliver actionable alerts the moment conditions are met.
Action
Built a Python "master bot" integrating the Binance API to monitor trading pairs and push real-time alerts to Discord.
Result
Instant, around-the-clock market awareness - decisions are now driven by live signals instead of manual checking.

Merkei Mart E-commerce System

WordPressWooCommerceContabo VPSNginx
Situation
A growing storefront needed a fast, cost-efficient hosting setup it fully controlled.
Task
Deploy and optimise a production e-commerce platform with strong performance and reliability.
Action
Deployed WordPress/WooCommerce on a Contabo VPS with custom Nginx configurations tuned for speed and stability.
Result
A self-managed, performance-optimised store that keeps hosting costs low while staying fully under the owner's control.

Automated Job-Hunting Bot

PythonLinkedInScrapingAutomation
Situation
Finding and engaging with relevant IT roles by hand was slow and inconsistent.
Task
Automate the discovery of IT support and infrastructure roles and streamline professional outreach.
Action
Wrote a Python script that scans LinkedIn for matching roles and auto-generates professional engagement posts.
Result
A repeatable, low-effort pipeline for opportunity discovery and outreach - saving hours of manual searching each week.
Capabilities

Skills matrix.

Organised by the layer of the stack I work across - from cloud provisioning down to application code.

☁Cloud Infrastructure

Microsoft AzureAWSGoogle Cloud (GCP)DigitalOceanContaboVMs & StorageIAMHigh AvailabilityDisaster Recovery

🖥Microsoft 365 Administration

Microsoft 365 / O365Entra ID (Azure AD)Exchange OnlineTeamsSharePointOneDriveIntuneMFA & Conditional AccessSecurity & Compliance

🗂Workspace & Collaboration

Google WorkspaceGmail & Drive AdminShared DriveMicrosoft TeamsZoomSlack (owner-level)Active Directory

🛡Security & Networking

Cloudflare Zero TrustCloudflare TunnelsWAFNginxFortinetCheckpointMerakiCisco SwitchesVPN (IPsec / WireGuard)TCP/IP · DNS · DHCP

📊Monitoring & IT Operations

Open-source monitoring systemsAsset managementRemote monitoring (RMM)OrangeHRServiceNowJiraService Desk

⬡Containerization & Automation

DockerDocker ComposePython scriptingBashWorkflow automation

⚙Backend & Data

FastAPIPostgreSQLREST APIsBinance APIWordPress / WooCommerce

📞VoIP & Communications

SangomaIssabelJasmin SMS GatewayPBXSIP TrunkingCall Center Support

⌨Tools & Environments

VS Code Remote SSHLinux · Windows · macOSGit & SSHCCTV & Fingerprint Access
Credentials

Certifications & training.

Vendor-certified across cloud, networking, and security - continually adding to the stack.

✓Google Cloud - Associate Cloud Engineer
✓Microsoft - Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
✓Microsoft - Azure Administrator (AZ-104) · in progress
✓Aviatrix - Multi-Cloud Network Associate
✓Kuwait MPW - Certified Network Engineer
✓Cisco - Networking Essentials / CCNA 200-301
✓Checkpoint - Firewall R81 CCSA
✓Penetration Testing - Active Directory
✓Windows Server 2019 - Install & Configure AD
✓NextGen Campus - Diploma in Network Engineering with Security
✓Red Hat - RHCSA Linux Administration · in progress
✓Google Workspace - Administrator
✓Oracle Fusion Cloud - HCM Foundations Associate
✓Oracle Fusion Cloud - ERP Foundations Associate
Get in Touch

Let's build infrastructure that runs itself.

Open to full-time IT/Systems roles and freelance engagements through Merkei Solutions. Reach out and let's talk about what you're building.

✉ vinodlakmal@merkeisolutions.com ✉ vinod.lakmal@gmail.com 📞 +94 77 271 8608 in LinkedIn ⤓ Download CV