Sri Lankan Entrepreneurs on Forbes

Sri Lanka celebrated a key milestone when three of its young and emerging entrepreneurs—Yanika Amarasekera-Siyaguna, Charith N Silva, and Nikin Matharaarachchi—were named to the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025 list. Their achievements highlight the intersection of new media innovation, digital entrepreneurship, and regional influence.

Contextual Background

Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list recognizes high-impact talents across diverse sectors, from technology and media to social enterprise. Inclusion on this list brings international visibility, serving as a barometer for emerging markets like Sri Lanka, where digital transformation and startup culture have accelerated post-2019 economic reforms.

Key Contributions and Theories

Yanika Amarasekera-Siyaguna (Silver Aisle, 2019): Founded Sri Lanka’s first online wedding registry platform, leveraging e-commerce theory and user-centered design to digitize a traditionally offline process. Her platform applied principles of network effects and social commerce, demonstrating how new media can streamline cultural rituals.

Charith N Silva (Wild Cookbook): Turned pandemic-era outdoor cooking videos into a global phenomenon. By applying participatory culture theory, Silva engaged audiences through interactive recipe tutorials and community challenges on YouTube and Instagram. His rustic culinary adventures amassed over 10 million YouTube subscribers and 2.3 million Instagram followers.

Nikin Matharaarachchi (Synapse AI Labs, 2021): Founded the AI-powered social listening tool Kommon Poll, which employs natural language processing and sentiment analysis to deliver marketing insights. His work illustrates the application of big data theory and algorithmic governance in regional contexts, helping businesses monitor online discourse across news sites, blogs, and social media.

Real-World Example

Each entrepreneur leveraged new media platforms to scale rapidly: Silver Aisle partnered with local vendors through targeted Facebook and Instagram campaigns; Wild Cookbook’s viral TikTok clips drove cross-platform subscriber growth; Kommon Poll’s AI dashboards became an essential tool for Sri Lankan SMEs during product launches and political campaigns.

Local Content 

Their ventures showcase strengths in localized content, cultural adaptation, and technological innovation. Forbes recognition boosted investor interest and catalyzed regional expansion into India and Southeast Asia.

Limitations: Challenges include infrastructure constraints—such as inconsistent broadband in rural areas—and the need for ongoing user education on digital tools. Scaling beyond Sri Lanka requires navigating diverse regulatory and linguistic landscapes.

Broader Implications: These cases underscore how new media entrepreneurship can drive economic growth, foster digital inclusion, and position South Asian startups on global stages.