Attending TEDxColombo yesterday left me genuinely moved.
Each speaker brought something unique — not just ideas, but lived experiences, challenges, and raw honesty.
🎬 Jason Rajasinghe spoke about the power of visualization. His story—from a Sri Lankan YouTuber to a filmmaker with a global audience—was a reminder that imagination can shape reality. The way he tied it back to Arthur C. Clarke and Sri Lanka’s potential in film was powerful.
🧠 Vickum Nawagamuwage had one of the most relatable talks on stress I’ve heard. He traced it back to sorrow, something many of us carry silently. His message was simple: “It’s okay. This is life.” That stuck with me.
🌿 Anya Ratnayaka shared about the fishing cats in Colombo’s wetlands—and why these ecosystems matter more than we realize. It made me think about how disconnected we can be from the nature around us.
🏎️ Yevan David, the young Formula 1 driver, talked about patience, timing, failure—and meditation. Not what I expected, but honestly, one of the most grounded talks of the day.
🌎 Sanjiva Weerawarana used cricket as a metaphor for Sri Lanka’s tech scene. His vision? Build products, not just services. It was ambitious, and exactly the kind of thinking we need more of.
⚖️ Sonali Silva delivered maybe the most courageous talk—on abortion. It was heavy, necessary, and made me reflect on how often silence protects injustice.
☕ Kevin Wilson closed with a beautiful story about his father and Chai. It was a lesson in identity, culture, and finding meaning in the ordinary.
And of course, Ashok Ferry opened the event perfectly — sharp, funny, and full of character.
Massive respect to the organizers. 15 years of TEDxColombo — all run by volunteers. That’s something special.
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