TEDxKandy

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Akein Randeniya

  Student

  Akein Randeniya is a young and enthusiastic student from St. Anthony’s College, Kandy, with a strong passion for public speaking and drama. He enjoys expressing ideas, performing on stage, and connecting with audiences through confident communication and storytelling. His love for drama has given him an appreciation for creativity, character, and different perspectives, while public speaking has helped him develop his confidence and ability to communicate meaningful ideas. Making his TEDx debut, Akein brings the fresh perspective and enthusiasm of a young speaker who is eager to learn, explore, and inspire. He hopes to use this opportunity to encourage others to step beyond their comfort zones, find their voice, and have the courage to share their ideas.

• Dillon Alexander

  Student

  Dillon Alexander, 11, is a three-time TED speaker with a curious mind, a love for creativity, and a passion for discovering new possibilities. He loves playing the piano, exploring classical music, building with LEGO, and creating intricate origami designs. His curiosity also takes him outdoors, where he enjoys hiking and outdoor photography, capturing the beauty of the world around him. Beyond his creative interests, Dillon is passionate about making a difference in the lives of other children. He initiated “Smiles After Storm,” a community project supporting economically disadvantaged children who have experienced major setbacks in life. The project aims to help children move beyond grief and hopelessness by introducing them to new skills, future-focused opportunities, and new dreams, while building confidence, resilience, creativity, and essential soft skills.

• Dr Thiru Sayandhan

  CEO _ Sunshine Holdings

  Dr. T. Sayandhan is a transformational business leader, educator, and lifelong learner whose remarkable journey proves that great leadership begins with serving people. With more than 35 years of experience in Sri Lanka's healthcare industry, he has built a career at the intersection of business excellence, innovation, and human development. As the Chief Executive Officer of Sunshine Medical Devices and Lina Manufacturing, and a Director of Sunshine Healthcare Lanka Ltd., he has led organizations through periods of rapid growth, industry transformation, and economic uncertainty while remaining committed to improving healthcare outcomes for thousands of Sri Lankans. Under his leadership, these businesses have consistently achieved outstanding commercial performance and operational excellence. Before joining

• Gayantha Niyangoda

  Marketing Mentor

  Gayantha Niyangoda is an award-winning brand strategist, certified canyon guide, adventure sports advocate and leadership coach who believes that courage is a skill that can be developed. With over 15 years of experience across the FMCG, Alcobev, Shipping, and Logistics industries, he has built and transformed some of Sri Lanka's most recognized brands through innovative marketing, strategic thinking, and consumer insight. Today, he continues his leadership journey with Lactalis-Mainland Dairy.

• Mithila Rozairo

  student

  Mithila Rozairo is a student of St. Anthony’s College, Kandy and a second-time TED speaker with a passion for sports, public speaking, and community service. A dedicated sportsman and confident orator, Mithila brings together discipline, communication, and a strong sense of purpose in everything he undertakes. Beyond the classroom and the playing field, Mithila is actively interested in serving his community and making a positive difference in the lives of others. His experiences have shaped his belief in the importance of leadership, teamwork, empathy, and giving back. As he returns to the TED stage for the second time, Mithila hopes to inspire young people to discover their own voice, embrace challenges, and use their talents not only for personal growth but also to create a meaningful impact on the world around them.

• Nadia John Nagpal

  Student

  Nadia John Nagpal is an A Level student at The Elizabeth Moir School in Colombo, where she has embraced an unconventional combination of subjects—Biology, History, Mathematics, and English Literature. Her diverse academic interests reflect a curiosity that extends beyond traditional boundaries and a willingness to explore ideas from multiple perspectives. Nadia is drawn to TED and TEDx because of the powerful intersection of Technology, Entertainment, and Design, and the way these platforms make meaningful ideas accessible to a global audience. She particularly values the inclusivity of TEDx and its ability to give local communities a voice while connecting them to a wider world of ideas. With her curiosity, interdisciplinary outlook, and appreciation for accessible knowledge, Nadia brings a thoughtful and open-minded perspective to the TEDx stage.

• Romesh Karalliyadde

  Attorney-at-Law & Legal Consultant

  Romesh Karalliyadde is an Attorney-at-Law with a distinguished legal career spanning nearly three decades. Enrolled as an Attorney-at-Law in 1996, he specializes in Civil Law and has extensive experience in litigation, legal practice, and corporate advisory. Throughout his career, Romesh has practised in the private sector while also serving as State Attorney, representing the Hon. Attorney General in matters before the Civil Appeal and High Courts. His experience in both public-sector legal practice and private litigation has provided him with a broad and practical understanding of the Sri Lankan legal system. In addition to his legal practice, Romesh has served as a Legal Consultant to several multinational companies, advising on a range of legal and corporate matters. His diverse professional experience has enabled him to bridge the worlds of law, business, and corporate governance, bringing a practical and insightful perspective to the issues he addresses.

• Sasath Pasandul Vitharana

  Student

  V. P. Sasath Pasandul Vitharana is a 12-year-old student of Trinity College, Kandy, with a passion for sports, music, and personal development. An enthusiastic sports lover, Sasath believes that **sports are more than competition—they are a powerful way to develop discipline, perseverance, teamwork, responsibility, and self-confidence. Through his TEDx talk, Sports and Discipline, he explores how the habits developed through sports can shape young people both on and off the field. Beyond sports, Sasath has a strong love for music and guitar , using music as another avenue for creativity, expression, and learning. His interests reflect his belief that young people can grow by balancing physical activity, creativity, education, and discipline. At just 12 years old, Sasath brings a youthful perspective to an important idea: discipline is not simply about following rules—it is about building the habits that help us become the people we want to be.

• Shalini Senara De Silva

  Student

  Shalini Senara De Silva is a student with a strong curiosity about psychology, human behaviour, and the many perspectives that shape the way we understand the world. Beyond her studies, she enjoys exploring new ideas, taking part in extracurricular activities, and developing her skills through research and independent learning. She is particularly interested in understanding why people think, feel, and behave in different ways. Through learning and exploration, Shalini hopes to broaden her perspective, challenge her own thinking, and continue growing both academically and personally.

• Shihama Hanifa

  Teacher & Education Innovator

  hihama Hanifa is a secondary school Mathematics teacher at Trinity College, Kandy, with a deep passion for creating “Happy Education”—making learning meaningful, engaging, and enjoyable for young minds. She is committed to enhancing the quality of mathematics education through the effective use of 21st-century teaching and learning resources. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Applied Sciences from the Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, along with postgraduate diplomas in Supply Chain Management and Education Management and Leadership. Before entering the field of education, Shihama worked as an Executive Supply Chain Analyst in the corporate sector. Her passion for teaching and working with children inspired her to make a career transition into education, where she found her true calling. A mother, teacher, and lifelong learner, Shihama is passionate about inspiring young people.

• Thenuli Mehansa Vitharana

  Student

  Thenuli Mehansa Vitharana is a young creative voice from Hillwood College, Kandy, with a deep passion for Arts and Music. A curious and expressive young speaker, Thenuli enjoys exploring ideas through creativity, performance, and storytelling. Returning to the TEDx stage for the second time, Thenuli brings with her the valuable experience of having already shared her ideas with a TEDx audience. Her journey reflects a growing confidence in using her voice to connect with others and communicate ideas that matter. Beyond public speaking, Thenuli is passionate about the arts and music, finding inspiration in creativity and self-expression. She believes that young people have unique perspectives to share and that creativity can help us see the world from new angles. As a second-time TEDx speaker, Thenuli hopes to inspire her audience to remain curious, embrace their individuality, and have the courage to express their ideas.

• Thinuk Gunaratne

  Student

  Thinuk, 13, is a student at Elizabeth Moir School who has a powerful story of perseverance and self-discovery. Having experienced speech delay during his early years, Thinuk understands firsthand the challenges of finding his voice and expressing himself with confidence. Today, he uses his experiences to encourage others who may struggle to communicate or feel that they are different from those around them. His journey demonstrates that challenges in communication do not have to define a person's potential. Through his story, Thinuk hopes to inspire young people to believe in themselves, embrace their individual journeys, and never allow a temporary challenge to become a permanent limitation.

• Umanda Pemarathne

  Student

  Umanda Pemarathne is an 11-year-old student from Hillwood College with a deep love for animals, plants, and the natural world. She enjoys caring for wounded animals and nurturing plants, reflecting her strong sense of compassion for living things. Outside her studies, Umanda enjoys reading, computing, baking, and debating. She is particularly passionate about using her voice to raise awareness about the challenges facing our planet. For Umanda, TEDx is an opportunity to share an important message with the world and inspire others to see Mother Earth from a different perspective. She hopes that by speaking to her fellow young listeners, she can encourage them to understand the harm being done to our environment and inspire them to make small but meaningful changes for a better future.

• Yasas Gunaratne

  CEO -HasH 3

  Yasas Gunaratne is a business strategist, startup growth advisor, and innovation ecosystem leader who has spent his career helping entrepreneurs transform ambitious ideas into scalable, high-impact ventures. With extensive experience in business acceleration, venture building, and strategic growth consulting, Yasas has worked alongside founders, startups, and innovation ecosystems across Sri Lanka, the UAE, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Passionate about the intersection of technology, human behavior, and entrepreneurship, At TEDx, Yasas brings a unique perspective on innovation, decision-making, and the psychology behind growth—challenging audiences to rethink how they approach uncertainty, opportunity, and the future of entrepreneurship.

• Yuneli Sanurima Dissanayake

  Student

  Yuneli Sanurima Dissanayake is an 11-year-old student from Hillwood College with a love for reading, imagination, and exploring new ideas. Curious and thoughtful, she enjoys discovering different perspectives through books and using her imagination to make sense of the world around her. In her TEDx talk, Yuneli challenges the way we think about failure. She explores why mistakes and setbacks should not be feared or hidden, but celebrated as valuable opportunities to learn, grow, and become more resilient. Through her perspective, she invites us to see failure not as the opposite of success, but as an essential part of the journey towards it.