Theme: MADness

MADness explores the shifting boundaries of what society deems possible, logical, or even sane. Throughout history, ideas once dismissed as ‘mad’ have evolved into the very cornerstones of progress. This year’s TEDxColombo embraces that tension between the absurd and the revolutionary, highlighting the creative energy found in ideas so unconventional that they challenge the way we understand the world. As society evolves, our definition of ‘madness’ changes too. What was once deemed impossible is now part of everyday life, and it is in this transformation where true innovation thrives.
MADness is not only about the bold personalities behind the ideas but about the ideas themselves- those that seem so wildly outside the box that they might just work. It’s about how creativity stays fresh and vibrant across time, shifting our perception of normality with each breakthrough. In MADness, we celebrate the ideas that start on the fringes, the ones that provoke disbelief and skepticism, until they finally become the new normal. After all, every great leap forward begins with an idea so mad, it just might change the world.

Nelum pokuna
110 Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha
Colombo, Kŏḷamba, 00700
Sri Lanka

Anya Ratnayaka

PhD Candidate, Founder & Primary Investigator of Urban Fishing Cat Conservation Project

Anya Ratnayaka, a PhD Candidate at The University of Queensland, is a passionate researcher focused on the ecology and conservation of urban mesocarnivores in Sri Lanka. Co-founder of Small Cat Advocacy & Research (2017) and founder of the Urban Fishing Cat Conservation Project (2013), she studies Colombo’s unique hyper-urban fishing cat population and its adaptation to urbanization and wetland changes. Collaborating with government agencies, her work aims to protect this endangered species and its habitat. Anya is also a member of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group, WCN Scholar, Re:wild Associate Scientist, and part of the Fishing Cat Conservation Alliance.

Cracklepop

DJ - live electronic music

Cracklepop is a live electronic music act made up of Sweetie, Geve and a number of whimsical noise-making machines. Together they explore the endless possibilities of beat making, bass grooving, plush cushioning and quirky banter for the dance floor and beyond, inspired by the sounds of house breaks, boom bap and a healthy serving of dub.

Jason Rajasinghe

Award-winning Filmmaker & Creative Director

Jason Rajasinghe is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and the founder of iFilm Sri Lanka and RAD Productions USA. Raised between Sri Lanka and the U.S., he taught himself filmmaking through YouTube and built his first camera rigs out of PVC pipes. Today, Jason leads one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent production houses and is celebrated for elevating the country’s film industry. He was the first Sri Lankan to win a Chicago/Midwest Emmy, and his work has earned multiple Telly and regional Emmy Awards. Through RAD Productions, he bridges Sri Lankan creativity with global standards while mentoring young talent and creating new pathways for local filmmakers. Jason is committed to transforming production methods and telling stories that resonate beyond borders.

Kevin Wilson

Co-Founder of Cross Culture Tours & Cross Culture Chai

Kevin Wilson is an international speaker, ministry leader, author, and cultural intelligence strategist dedicated to helping professionals build resilient, inclusive teams by leveraging cross-cultural competence. Known as “Chaplain Chai” (@crossculturekev) to his global online community of over 500,000 “besteas”, Kevin uses chai-making as a canvas to share stories about leading well, loving well, and living well. His work has been featured in Forbes, MSN, The New York Times, Bon Appétit, and prominent American religious media. A Third-Culture Kid who grew up in multiple parts of the world by the age of 18, and a grandson of Sri Lankan tea plantation workers, Kevin brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to his work. He is the co-founder of Cross Culture Chai and Cross Culture Tours. His current life goal is to aspire to be who his cats think he is.

Sanjiva Weerawarana

Founder & CEO | WSO2

Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana received a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Purdue University, USA in 1994. He is the founder of WSO2 and serves as its CEO and Chief Product Officer. He is also the Founder and Chairman of the Lanka Software Foundation, the Lanka Data Foundation and the Avinya Foundation. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka. Previously he was a Board Member of Sampath Bank and several research institutions and university councils in Sri Lanka and served as a Direct Enlisted Volunteer Officer of the Sri Lanka Army as its IT Advisor.

Sonali Silva

Global Health Advocate & gender Equity Specialist

Sonali Silva is a global health advocate and gender equity specialist who champions youth-led change in sexual and reproductive health. She is the Director of YIELD Hub and Co-Chair of SheDecides, where she drives global efforts for bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom. A Chevening Scholar with an MSc in Global Health Policy from LSE, Sonali will begin her PhD in Demography at LSE in 2025, supported by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council. Her research explores abortion stigma and access to care in Sri Lanka. She has published work on gender and the COVID-19 infodemic and is currently studying how Sri Lankan women seek abortion information online. Sonali uses research, storytelling, and advocacy to challenge stigma and advance more inclusive, equitable systems.

Vickum Nawagamuwage

Entrepreneur & Founder of Santani

Vickum Nawagamuwage is the founder of Santani, a globally acclaimed wellness resort recognized by Time, Vogue, Forbes, Conde Nast Traveler, and Tatler. Educated at Harvard and the University of Maryland, Vickum worked in strategy at Deloitte and KPMG before shifting focus to tackle the root causes of modern mental health struggles. He developed the philosophy of Human Sustainability- an approach that reframes mental and spiritual wellbeing as essential components of human evolution. Vickum argues that today’s stress epidemic stems from an evolutionary mismatch: our minds are not equipped for the cognitive overload of the digital age. Rather than treating symptoms, he advocates for a preventative healthcare model that prioritizes mental and spiritual fitness. Santani brings this vision to life, helping people reach their full potential through sustainable wellbeing.

Yevan David

Euroformula Driver

Yevan David is a rising star in international motorsport and Sri Lanka’s most promising Formula racing talent. Born in 2007, he began karting at the age of six and soon set his sights on the global stage. By 13, he was competing in Europe’s elite karting circuits, and by 16, he had transitioned into Formula 4, marking the start of a high-potential single-seater career. Now racing in the Euroformula Open Championship, Yevan is the only Sri Lankan on the grid, and the first to win a European Formula race and lead the championship standings. Driven, disciplined, and determined, he’s on a mission to become Sri Lanka’s first Formula 1 driver, breaking new ground for the country with every lap.