“Ayubowan! Welcome to Wild Cookbook! Let’s make ‘cooking’ wild 🙂 Stay tuned for yummy experiences.” This compelling tagline reflects the essence of Wild Cookbook, which made history as the first Sri Lankan YouTube channel to achieve 10 million subscribers. This remarkable milestone has earned it YouTube’s prestigious Diamond Play Button award.
The channel’s prominence rose early, surpassing Sri Lanka Cricket to become the country’s most subscribed channel by August 2023, with nearly 5 million followers. As of March 2025, Wild Cookbook has reached the impressive milestone of 10 million subscribers, with its library of over 600 videos accumulating over 4.2 billion views—firmly establishing it as Sri Lanka’s premier digital culinary platform. Through its distinctive and engaging content, Wild Cookbook has cultivated a massive global following by offering innovative and exciting culinary experiences that resonate with food enthusiasts worldwide.
The story is about its founder, Charith N. de Silva, a young man in his twenties. He was born and grew up at the right time. Had he been born in the 1960s, as I was, his remarkable talent and enthusiasm for cooking might have led him to a career as merely probably an assistant to a chef in a modest hotel, obscuring his culinary abilities from the world. However, in the third decade of the twenty-first century, Charith has been able to showcase his talents to a global audience. The advent of the Internet has transformed him into a prominent figure in the culinary landscape, allowing his creativity and skills to shine.
He is not alone in this journey. Many other firms and individuals have made their marks on Sri Lanka’s Internet Hall of Fame. Take Dialog Axiata, for instance. As the country’s foremost telecommunications provider, Dialog Axiata has invested heavily since entering the market, pioneering mobile broadband and rolling out 4G and 5G networks that power 19.2 million mobile broadband subscriptions. Its dominance in data services and digital innovations like mobile payment solutions have generated substantial revenue while making Internet access ubiquitous, even in rural areas. By leveraging Sri Lanka’s increasing Internet penetration (52% by 2024) and mobile-first culture, Dialog has built a financial fortune and shaped how Sri Lankans connect, work, and consume online, cementing its legacy as a cornerstone of the nation’s digital transformation.
On the other hand, we have SLTMobitel earning its title as another giant “Internet Leader” in Sri Lanka through its foundational role in the nation’s Internet infrastructure and its evolution into a major player in both fixed and mobile connectivity, marking 30 years since Sri Lanka’s Internet debut in 1995. A majority state-owned entity, SLTMobitel controls critical backbone infrastructure, including access to SEA-ME-WE submarine cables, which have powered the country’s international bandwidth since the late 1990s. Its extensive fibre-optic network supports over 2.5 million fixed broadband subscriptions, while its mobile arm, Mobitel, has expanded 4G and 5G services. By offering enterprise digital solutions and affordable data plans, SLTMobitel has built significant revenue streams and influenced Sri Lanka’s digital economy, making Internet access a reality for millions and reinforcing its leadership in the nation’s online landscape.
Dhanika Perera’s Bhasha Lanka may not be as big as Dialog Axiata or SLTMobitel, but it has already achieved enough. Founded in 2011, when Dhanika was still a Computer Science and Engineering undergraduate at the University of Moratuwa, Bhasha pioneered localized digital solutions, most notably with Helakuru. This mobile Sinhala keyboard has enabled over 10 million Sri Lankans to communicate in their native language online, evolving into a lifestyle app with services like news, payments, and online doctor channelling. The company’s PayHere platform, launched in 2016, revolutionized online payments, supporting thousands of businesses with affordable, secure transactions in a market lacking global players like PayPal.
Then, how can one ignore ‘Kapruka’ and its legendary pioneer Dulith Herath? Kapruka has earned its status as an “Internet leader” in Sri Lanka by pioneering the nation’s e-commerce growth. It introduced online shopping early on, diversifying into gifting, grocery delivery, overseas shopping, and ticketing. Through technological innovation and a user-friendly platform, Kapruka has stayed relevant, serving urban and rural customers and the diaspora. Its reputation for reliability, backed by solid customer service and delivery, has boosted Sri Lanka’s digital economy and consumer trust in e-commerce. Even amid economic challenges, Kapruka’s adaptability underscores its importance.
Our next stop is Daraz, the e-commerce platform significantly shaping Sri Lanka’s e-commerce landscape by popularizing online shopping and expanding access to diverse products, driving digital transactions nationwide. It has extended market reach to remote areas, connecting sellers and buyers while empowering local businesses to grow through its platform. Daraz’s robust logistics network has improved delivery, overcoming infrastructural challenges, and its promotion of digital payments has fostered a cashless economy with faster, secure transactions. Innovative events have reshaped shopping habits and introduced new technologies, making Daraz a key driver of e-commerce growth, innovation, and accessibility in Sri Lanka.
PickMe, another Internet innovator, under the leadership of Jiffry Zulfer, CEO and co-founder, has revolutionized Sri Lanka’s transportation and delivery sector through a comprehensive, Internet-driven business model. At its core, PickMe is a mobile-first platform, connecting users with a network of drivers and service providers via a sophisticated app. This digital infrastructure enables seamless ride-hailing for cars, three-wheelers, and taxis and efficient delivery services for parcels and food. By leveraging GPS technology and real-time data, PickMe optimizes routing and pricing, ensuring convenience and affordability for customers and service providers. Its ability to diversify into food delivery, ride-hailing, and logistics, all through a single, easy-to-use mobile application, has allowed PickMe to create a robust online ecosystem.
Differently, LankaPay and its affiliated companies, led by Channa De Silva, have spearheaded a remarkable transformation in Sri Lanka’s financial landscape. As the country’s national payment network operator, LankaPay is at the forefront of modernizing and refining the economic ecosystem, leaving a profound mark on the nation’s economy. Creating a strong, interconnected framework for electronic transactions, LankaPay enables smooth fund transfers, digital payments, and widespread ATM access across various financial institutions. This shift promotes financial inclusion, decreases dependence on cash, and boosts the efficiency of transactions, ultimately fueling economic progress. Through its subsidiaries and innovative initiatives, LankaPay drives advancements in fintech and aligns with the government’s vision of a cashless society. This empowers businesses and individuals while reinforcing Sri Lanka’s economy’s stability and global competitiveness by cultivating a more efficient, technology-driven financial environment.
The abovementioned companies present just a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s dynamic, private-sector-driven Internet landscape. Their very existence, in their current form, is a direct result of the nation’s pivotal decision to embrace the Internet 30 years ago, in May 1995. (Notably, Sri Lanka’s first real-time email was sent from the University of Moratuwa on May 11 of that year.) This is not an exhaustive overview; countless businesses now integrate Internet-based models alongside their traditional operations. Consider the commercial banking sector, where Internet banking has become a standard offering across all institutions. The impact of this digital shift is profound. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Internet-based payments in 2024 reached a staggering Rs16 trillion. To put this into perspective, compare it with the once-prevalent money order transactions, which have dwindled to a mere Rs424 million in the same period, illustrating the dramatic transformation of Sri Lanka’s financial transactions.
While the private sector has undeniably been a driving force in Sri Lanka’s Internet-driven landscape, the government has also made significant strides in leveraging digital platforms for public service delivery. Though less extensive, numerous government entities now offer online services to Sri Lankan citizens. The government’s implementation of the National Fuel Pass system just three years ago, stands as a testament to the power of Internet-based solutions in addressing critical national challenges. During the severe economic crisis of 2022, when crippling fuel shortages brought daily life to a standstill, the government’s digital quota system proved to be a lifeline. Utilizing QR codes assigned to registered vehicles, this system effectively managed the overwhelming demand and limited supply, alleviating the chaotic and prolonged queues at fuel stations. Beyond equitable distribution, the system’s digital tracking capabilities curbed hoarding and black market activities, bringing much-needed transparency to a previously opaque process.
Then, to individuals. One name stands out among the many influential figures on the Internet: Prof. Gihan Dias, often referred to as the “Father of Internet in Sri Lanka.” His significant contributions to developing the Internet in the country and promoting Sinhala language computing have been transformative. Gihan has been and still is a Professor at the University of Moratuwa, where he has been instrumental in shaping the curriculum and evolution of computer science and engineering programmes. His expertise spans Internet technologies and language processing, with a dedicated focus on facilitating the use of Sinhala in various digital platforms, such as email and other online tools. Still, his early efforts in establishing Internet connectivity in Sri Lanka, alongside his active participation in national initiatives for digital development, firmly established him as a pivotal figure in shaping the nation’s digital landscape.
Gihan’s pivotal role in shaping Sri Lanka’s Internet trajectory began during his postgraduate studies in California in the late 1980s, where he was captivated by the Internet’s transformative potential. Driven by a vision to bring this technology to his homeland, he and a group of like-minded individuals established Sri Lanka’s first email system. Though initially limited to batch processing, this was a crucial first step with a local server transmitting collected outbound emails only during brief, twice-daily connections. Unsatisfied with these limitations, Gihan sought to provide academics with dot ac.lk domain email addresses. He contacted John Postel, then head of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), for permission. Postel’s response was unexpected: the country domain dot lk was still available, and he encouraged Gihan to manage it. This led him to become the pioneering dot lk domain registrar, a position he continues to hold, fundamentally shaping Sri Lanka’s digital infrastructure.
Gihan still runs the LK Domain registry, which has issued 57,000 dot lk domain names since 1990. The registry provides a structured and reliable system for registering domain names ending in dot lk, enabling individuals, businesses, and organizations to establish a unique online identity. Beyond simply assigning domain names, the registry maintains the integrity and stability of the dot lk domain space, ensuring its smooth operation and security. This involves managing DNS records, implementing policies for domain registration and dispute resolution, and promoting the adoption of Internet standards.
To mark the 30th anniversary of commercial Internet in Sri Lanka, I asked Prof. Gihan Dias to share his thoughts. The following message, which I’ve selected as the culmination of this story, speaks to the remarkable journey we’ve undertaken for 30 years since May 1995.
“From the humble beginnings of dial-up connections and prohibitively expensive leased lines, we have witnessed a remarkable transformation. The introduction of ADSL and fibre-optic technology for fixed connections, coupled with the widespread adoption of 3G, 4G, and now 5G for mobile, has democratized Internet access across our nation. While a few pockets of connectivity may remain, the vast majority of our citizens now enjoy reasonable speeds facilitated by the affordability of devices and connections. This accessibility has been further enriched by the availability of content in Sinhala and Tamil, alongside integrated device and application support for our languages, empowering all Sri Lankans to reap the benefits of the digital realm. As we look towards the future, our focus must shift to the development of localized applications, particularly those leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, to ensure that the Internet truly serves the unique needs of our people.”
Chanuka Wattegama is a policy researcher. The ideas are personal. All ‘leaders’ highlighted here are selected purely by AI.