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The event’s opening was nothing short of electric, delivered by none other than Ashok Ferry, a storyteller whose wit cuts through the noise like a well-aimed arrow. His opening remarks were a deft dance between irreverent humor and sharp intellect, a blend of satire and sincerity that immediately captivated the audience
There’s a magic that happens when you gather nearly a thousand people under one roof, each hungry for fresh ideas, daring visions, and stories that shake the very ground beneath your feet. On Sunday, June 1st, the iconic Nelum Pokuna Theatre was exactly that kind of magic factory. For the 15th edition of TEDxColombo, the theme was ‘MADness.’ This year’s theme wasn’t about chaos just for the sake of it. It was about celebrating the kind of thinking that stirs things up, shakes up what we take for granted, and isn’t afraid to be a little bit brilliantly crazy.
Stepping into Nelum Pokuna that evening, the air buzzed with electric anticipation. A diverse crowd, students, professionals, artists, and curious minds filled the space, their excited chatter weaving into a lively, welcoming hum. The stage stood ready to showcase a lineup of fearless ideas and daring storytellers.
The event’s opening was nothing short of electric, delivered by none other than Ashok Ferry, a storyteller whose wit cuts through the noise like a well-aimed arrow. His opening remarks were a deft dance between irreverent humor and sharp intellect, a blend of satire and sincerity that immediately captivated the audience. Laughter rolled through the hall, not as mere entertainment but as a bridge to deeper reflection.
From that moment, the day unfolded in waves of emotion and intellect, as one speaker handed the baton to the next, each adding their unique voice to a growing chorus of change.
Jason Rajasinghe, a name synonymous with Sri Lanka’s film industry, took the stage next with a vision that felt both urgent and deeply personal. Speaking with the passion of someone who’s lived the triumphs and trials of cinematic storytelling, he challenged the nation to see itself as a player on the global film stage, not a mere observer but a proud creator. His call to action was simple yet profound.
Following him was Vickum Nawagamuwage, whose approach was less about grand gestures and more about peeling back the layers of human experience. His talk was a deep dive into the emotional architecture of stress and sorrow, emotions we all know too well but rarely dissect so openly. He reframed these feelings as symptoms of a disconnected world, one where empathy is scarce and genuine human connection is a precious commodity. Vickum Nawagamuwage’s message was a quiet plea for compassion, for understanding the invisible struggles that shape our shared humanity.
Then came environmental scientist Anya Ratnayake, whose presence brought a serene urgency to the stage. With her calm yet compelling delivery, she invited the audience to step lightly through the wetlands of Colombo, not just as ecologists studying fragile ecosystems but as stewards of places woven into the emotional and cultural fabric of the city. She spoke of wetlands not only as biodiversity hotspots but as living archives of memory, heritage, and identity. Her talk was a reminder that the natural world is deeply intertwined with human storylines and that its protection is both an ecological and emotional imperative.
The mood shifted intriguingly with the arrival of Yevan David, a young prodigy blazing trails in Formula 1 racing. Expectations might have been set for tales of speed and adrenaline, but Yevan David surprised the audience by focusing instead on stillness. He spoke candidly about how patience, meditation, and silence have been his secret weapons, tools that shaped his performance both on the track and in life. His words landed like a calming breath, a reminder that sometimes the fastest path forward is through moments of quiet and reflection.
From the world of high-speed racing, the baton passed to Sanjiva Weerawarana, a visionary tech entrepreneur with an urgent message for Sri Lanka’s technology sector. Sanjiva Weerawarana challenged his listeners to reimagine their approach, from simply providing services to becoming creators of innovative products. Drawing a compelling analogy to Sri Lankan cricket’s own evolution, he painted a picture of a tech landscape ripe for bold reinvention. His call was clear: the future belongs to those who dare to innovate rather than imitate.
Among the most powerful moments of the day came from Sonali Silva, whose speech was a courageous confrontation with silence and stigma. Speaking with raw clarity and fearless conviction, Sonali Silva broke the taboo around unsafe abortions, a topic often swept under the rug in conservative societies. Her words were a clarion call for justice and bodily autonomy, challenging societal norms that marginalize and punish women. In that moment, the room held its breath, honoring the strength it takes to voice such truths in the face of cultural resistance.
Next up was Kevin Wilson, who stepped onto the stage with warmth and poetic storytelling that felt like a gentle embrace. He traced the journey of chai tea, a simple drink whose rich history became a moving metaphor for migration, identity, and belonging, carrying with it stories of struggle, hope, and home. With his lyrical narrative, Wilson transported the audience across borders and generations, weaving a powerful reminder of the threads that connect us all. The room fell into a rare, resonant stillness shared moment of reflection and deep connection that lingered long after his final words.
Adding a uniquely vibrant layer to the event was Cracklepop, an electronic music act that defied easy categorization. Made up of Sweetie, Geve, and an ensemble of whimsical, noise-making machines, their performance was a playful yet immersive sonic journey. Blending textures from house and breaks to boom bap and dub, their set was a plush, strange, and irresistibly groovy tapestry of sound that invited the audience to lose themselves in rhythm and curiosity. It was a fitting finale to a day defined by creative madness.
Throughout the event, a powerful narrative emerge, madness is not instability or disorder but the vital spark behind every meaningful leap forward. It is the willingness to be doubted, to be challenged, and to risk failure for the chance at transformation.
“Some of the world’s most transformative breakthroughs began as ‘mad’ ideas,” reflected Safra Anver, Licensee and Organizer of TEDxColombo. “We wanted to honour the courage it takes to dream differently, to act boldly in a world that often rewards playing it safe. Each speaker today reminded us that change rarely starts with consensus.”
But TEDxColombo has never been just about the stage. The energy in the Nelum Pokuna Theatre spilled beyond its walls, weaving through hallways and lobbies, sparking spontaneous conversations and forging connections. Volunteers, partners, speakers, and guests shared not just space but a collective curiosity that feels rare and precious. It’s in these moments, between talks, in passing smiles and quick exchanges, that the seeds of future change are often sown.
For those who missed the live experience, full talks and videos will soon be available at www.tedxcolombo.org, inviting a global audience to join the conversation sparked in Colombo. Follow @TEDxColombo and join the dialogue online with #TEDxColombo2025 — because the madness is only just beginning.
