imno.expert
Highlighting South Asian Voices.
Episodes
Escaping One Passport, One Tax System | Nirbhay Handa | imno.Expert Podcast #39
Nirbhay Handa is the Co-founder and CEO of Multipolitan, the platform for borderless living, founded alongside Lee Smith, Co-founder and former CTO of Japanese fintech unicorn Paidy.Driven by the belief that geography should be an enabler of opportunity rather than a constraint on ambition, Nirbhay is building Multipolitan to help people live, move, and thrive across borders.Previously, he served
Convinced Sri Lanka Its Own Crab Was World-Class | Dharshan Munidasa | imno.Expert Podcast #66
Dharshan Munidasa is Sri Lanka’s most celebrated chef and restaurateur, renowned for putting the country on the global culinary map. Born in Tokyo to a Japanese mother and Sri Lankan father, he launched his career in 1995 by opening Nihonbashi, an acclaimed fine-dining Japanese restaurant. He later co-founded Ministry of Crab alongside cricket icons Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara, alongsi
Why Sri Lanka Doesn't Need More Tourists | Hashan Cooray | imno.Expert Podcast #65
Hashan Cooray is a third-generation hotelier who serves as the Director of Marketing and Development at Jetwing Hotels, one of Sri Lanka’s premier hospitality brands, founded by his grandfather, Herbert Cooray.As part of the third generation, Hashan works alongside his family and colleagues in shaping the continued growth, development and marketing of the brand. Today, Jetwing Hotels spans more th
Fashion Week, AC Milan, and 23 Years in Sri Lanka | Ajai Vir Singh | imno.Expert Podcast #64
Ajai Vir Singh is a visionary entrepreneur and creative catalyst instrumental in elevating Sri Lanka’s creative economy. He founded Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) in 2003, transforming it into a premier regional platform that nurtures local design talent, champions sustainable practices, and puts Sri Lankan fashion on the global map.Expanding his scope beyond fashion, he co-founded the Ceylon Literary
Built Sri Lanka's First Global Animation Studio | Sachitha Kalingamudali & Pradeepa Jeeva | imno.Expert Podcast #63
Sachitha Kalingamudali is an executive, engineer, and the General Manager of Mogo Studios. Overseeing the digital operations for Derana—Sri Lanka’s premier broadcaster—he leads a diverse team of over 250 professionals across media, technology, education, and animation.Throughout his career, he has achieved significant recognition in higher education and professional training, driving initiatives t
Threatened For What He Wrote About Cricket | Andrew Fidel Fernando | imno.Expert Podcast #62
Andrew Fidel Fernando is a Sri Lankan author, journalist, and cricket writer. He has written for international cricket publication Cricinfo for 14 years, and is a Senior Writer there, gaining international acclaim for his sharp, witty, and insightful sports reportage. Beyond sports journalism, he has written long-form features and op-eds for global outlets like Al Jazeera, The Guardian, The Hindu,
He Bet on Sri Lanka’s Potential, Built a Restaurant | Dom Fernando | imno.Expert Podcast #61
From boardrooms to backstreets — Dom Fernando left a career in accounting to redefine how the world sees Sri Lankan cuisine and hospitality.Since 2019, his London restaurant Paradise in Soho has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, pairing single-origin Sri Lankan spices with seasonal British produce. Now, with his ten-seat chefs table Open Door Policy (ODP) in Colombo, he’s bringing that vision home —
Carrying 18+ Sri Lankan Crafts to the World | Prathibha Liyanaarachchi | imno.Expert Podcast #60
Prathibha Liyanaarachchi is an accomplished Sri Lankan technical designer, fashion entrepreneur, visiting lecturer, and model who gained national prominence after being crowned Miss World Sri Lanka. A graduate of the University of Moratuwa, her career seamlessly bridges creative design with social impact. She has represented Sri Lanka on global stages—including the Miss Intercontinental pageant—an
Survived Riots, a Bombing, a Tsunami & COVID | Harpo Gooneratne | imno.Expert #59
Harpo Gooneratne, CEO and Founder of Harpo’s Cafés & Restaurants, is a prominent hospitality pioneer in Sri Lanka. Beginning as one of the country's early DJs and its first 5-star hotel entertainment manager, he held key management roles at major landmarks, including the Ramada Renaissance, Colombo Hilton, World Trade Center, Millennium Theme Park, and Crescat Boulevard. Internationally, h
Brewing Success: Eco-Tourism & Ceylon Tea | Malik Fernando | imno.Expert #58
Malik Fernando is the Co-Chair of MJF Holdings and Director of Dilmah Tea, continuing his family’s pioneering legacy in ethically produced, single-origin Ceylon tea. A visionary business leader, he expanded the group’s footprint by founding Resplendent Ceylon, creating acclaimed luxury boutique resorts—including Ceylon Tea Trails, Cape Weligama, and Wild Coast Tented Lodge—that redefined Sri Lanka
Transcending the Noise to Redefine Sri Lankan Music | Ridma Weerawardena | imno.Expert #57
Ridma Weerawardena is a prominent Sri Lankan vocalist and composer celebrated for modernizing traditional Sinhala folk melodies through contemporary pop and fusion arrangements. Rising to fame with hit anthems like "Kuweni", "Sandawathiye", and "Naadagam Geeya", he has earned prestigious accolades, including Derana Music Video Awards and Raigam Tele'es honors for
How Carnage Became Sri Lanka's Premier Activewear Brand | Joel Tillekeratne | imno.Expert #56
Joel Tillekeratne is a visionary Sri Lankan entrepreneur best known as the founder and CEO of Carnage, the island’s premier activewear and lifestyle brand. Pioneering a modern e-commerce and social-media-driven apparel ecosystem, he revolutionized Sri Lanka's retail landscape by merging high-performance sportswear with contemporary street culture. Through Carnage, Tillekeratne has proved that
Reclaiming the Global Voice of Lankan Cinema | Yasas Ratnayake & Chathra Weeraman | imno.Expert #55
Yasas Ratnayake is a Producer and Line Producer for film and TV. His company, Circle 360 Creative Solutions, promotes Sri Lanka as a filming destination for international productions. Yasas has worked with world renowned names such as Warner Bros, Netflix, A24, and HBO Max on multiple productions in Sri Lanka. "Āyu" is his first feature film as a Producer.Chathra Weeraman is a filmmaker with over
The Reality Behind the Runway | Sadani Peiris | imno.Expert #54
Sadani Peiris is a ballet instructor, high-fashion model, and creative director who seamlessly bridges the worlds of movement, style, and visual storytelling. One of Sri Lanka’s most striking contemporary faces, she has commanded runways at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and Colombo Swim Week.Globally, she solidified her presence by winning Second Runner-Up at the 29th Top Model of the World pageant i
Reinventing Sri Lanka's Coconut Industry | Dulara de Alwis | imno.Expert #53
Dulara De Alwis is a Sri Lankan entrepreneur recognized for strengthening the country's value-added coconut export industry through Ceylon Exports & Trading (Pvt) Ltd., the company behind the Nootz brand.Under his leadership, the company has expanded Sri Lanka's presence in international markets by exporting premium coconut products to over 40 countries, creating employment opportuniti
Redesigning the System for Better Governance in Sri Lanka | Dr. Harsha de Silva | imno.Expert #52
Dr. Harsha de Silva is an economist, parliamentarian, and one of Sri Lanka's most distinctive voices on public finance and reform. As Opposition MP for the Colombo District and Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, he brings PhD-level rigour to the country's most consequential fiscal debates. The founder of 1990 Suwa Seriya, recognised by the World Bank in 2024 as one of the most technologi
Sailing the Wind: Regenerative Tourism in Kalpitiya | Dilsiri Welikala | imno.Expert #51
Dilsiri Welikala is the co founder of Kitesurfing Lanka, one of Asia's most recognized kitesurfing and wingfoiling destinations. After leaving a corporate career to pursue his passion for the ocean and wind, he spent the last 15 years building a business that combines adventure, hospitality, community, art and purpose.Along the way, he developed a creative practice that explores environmental them
The True Cost of Putting Sri Lankan Art on the World Stage | Saskia Fernando | imno.Expert #50
Saskia Fernando is a prominent figure in Sri Lanka’s contemporary art scene and the founder of the Saskia Fernando Gallery, established in 2009. Through her work, she has played a significant role in promoting Sri Lankan contemporary artists both locally and internationally. Fernando has been instrumental in professionalizing the country’s art industry, creating opportunities for emerging and esta
The Secrets of a Tea Master: Inside the World’s Most Premium Blend | Anil Cooke | imno.Expert #49
Mr. Anil R. Cooke is a distinguished leader in the global tea industry, serving as the Managing Director of Asia Siyaka Commodities PLC and Asia Siyaka Warehousing (Pvt) Ltd. With over 40 years of expertise as a senior tea taster and marketer, his contributions to Ceylon Tea are extensive.He chairs the Colombo Tea Traders Association’s Ceylon Tea Road Map 2030 Initiative and actively drives modern
Redefining What's Possible After Losing His Sight | Khalid Oshman | imno.Expert #48
Khalid Oshman is a Sri Lankan para athlete known for his determination, resilience, and passion for endurance sports. Despite being visually impaired, he has achieved remarkable success in athletics and boxing, winning gold medals at the South Asian International Games in both blind boxing and the 5000m running event. His journey continues to motivate many aspiring athletes across Sri Lanka. Addin
Taking Sri Lanka's Underground Sound to the World | Dimuth K | imno.Expert #47
Dimuth Karunarathne, artistically known as Dimuth K, is a Sri Lankan-born, Canada-based electronic music DJ and producer renowned for his deep, driving underground sound. Bringing a transformative energy to the global nightlife scene, he has commanded the decks at iconic venues like Toronto’s Coda and Montreal’s Stereo, sharing stages with industry legends such as Eric Prydz and Sasha.His emotiona
The Masterclass in Building Businesses for the Future | Bhanuka Harischandra| imno.Expert #46
Bhanuka Harischandra is a self-taught entrepreneur focused on building and scaling modern businesses through technology, data, and digital strategy. Starting his journey at just 18, he founded TheGamersCottage, a YouTube multi-channel network that helped creators monetize over 500 million eSports views globally.He later launched Surge, a design, marketing, and technology firm that attracted strate
Is the Upcountry Community Still Being Sidelined? | Jeevan Thondaman | imno.Expert #45
Jeevan Thondaman is a Sri Lankan politician, trade union leader, and Member of Parliament currently serving as the General Secretary of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress. Elected to Parliament at just 25 years old, he later became Sri Lanka’s youngest Cabinet Minister, leading major reforms in water supply and estate infrastructure development under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.Known for his a
A Rebel in the Presidential Secretariat | Thisuri Wanniarachchi | imno.Expert #44
Dr. Thisuri Wanniarachchi is a Sri Lankan economist, State Literary Award–winning author, and public policy practitioner who has worked with governments, kingdoms, and multilateral development banks across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa on social protection, investment, and policy reform.In this episode, she reflects on her journey from government service to international development, and discu
You Don't Question Me on Sri Lankan Food | Sav Perera | imno.Expert #43
Sav Perera is a Sri Lankan-Australian chef who gained global recognition on MasterChef Australia, where she secured an impressive third-place finish by championing the bold, unapologetic Sri Lankan flavors.Originally a banking consultant in Adelaide, she transitioned into food by blending her psychology background with a deeply personal mission to preserve her mother’s recipes. Today, she continue
I went to Prison in Sri Lanka over a Joke | Nathasha Edirisooriya | imno.Expert #42
Natasha Edirisooriya is a Sri Lankan stand-up comedian, writer, and content creator known for her bold, thought-provoking humor and fearless social commentary. She rose to widespread attention not only for her sharp, satirical performances but also following her controversial arrest in 2023 over material from her comedy show that sparked a national debate on freedom of expression and religious sen
What Does It Mean To Be Sri Lankan? | Sade Greenwood | imno.Expert #41
Sadé Greenwood is a Sri Lankan model, beauty queen, and social sustainability ambassador who rose to prominence after being crowned Miss World Sri Lanka 2021. Representing Sri Lanka on the global stage, she gained recognition not only for her pageant success but also for her advocacy in environmental conservation, animal welfare, and community empowerment. With a background in international relati
imno.Expert #40 | Ransilu Jayathilake | Winning Asia’s First Pro Belt
Ransilu Jayathilake is a powerhouse in global strength sports and arguably the most decorated powerlifter in Sri Lankan history. With a staggering resume that includes being a 7-time Asian Champion, 3-time Commonwealth Champion, and the current Asian Deadlift record holder, Ransilu has consistently shattered boundaries for South Asian athletes. Most recently, he made history at the Arnold Sports F
imno.Expert #39 | Sanjiva Weerawarna | The Radical Philosophy Powering WSO2
Sanjiva Weerawarna is the visionary founder and CEO of WSO2 and a global pioneer in open-source middleware.With a career that spans from being a research scientist at IBM to building a global software giant from Colombo, Sanjiva has redefined the possibilities of South Asian innovation on the world stage. In this episode, we explore the philosophy of building world-class technology, the courage to
imno.Expert #38 | Otara Gunewardene | Why It’s Okay to Start Small and Dream Big
Otara Gunewardene is a pioneering entrepreneur, animal welfare advocate, and one of Sri Lanka’s most influential global figures.As the founder of ODEL and the first female entrepreneur to take a company public in Sri Lanka, Otara revolutionized the island’s retail landscape before pivoting her focus toward animal welfare, environmental conservation and philanthropy. Through her work with Embark an
imno.Expert #37 | Natasha Gooneratne | Decoding Global Power: A Perspective from the South
Natasha Gooneratne is the founder of Perspective South, a platform dedicated to providing a Third-World lens to geopolitical analysis & public International law.A UN University Valedictorian, Public Affairs Specialist & IR analyst, Natasha specializes in decoding the complex interplay of global power and its direct consequences for developing nations and beyond. In this episode, we explore
imno.Expert #36 | Robert Rajeswaran | How Do We Bring The Diaspora Back To Help Rebuild?
Robert Rajeswaran is a DJ, music producer, and a prominent figure in the Sri Lankan electronic music scene. From commanding the decks at the island’s most iconic venues to crafting immersive sonic experiences in the studio, Robert has spent over two decades defining the pulse of the nightlife industry.
imno.Expert #35 | Mithun Liyanage | Mastering Endurance Sports in Sri Lanka
Mithun Liyanage is a triathlete / coach and an entrepreneur in the Sri Lankan fitness and endurance landscape.As the co-founder of Endurance Lab and The Fitness Formula, and the founder of the Colombo Cycling School, Mithun has been instrumental in building a culture for both professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts. In this episode, we explore the grit behind the grind and the vision require
imno.Expert #34 - Tasha Marikkar- JAYAFLAVA
Tasha Marikkar is a Sri Lankan cookbook author, food storyteller and TV host redefining how the world sees Sri Lanka — through flavour, culture and sharp humour. A London School of Economics graduate and former advertising executive, she swapped boardrooms for burners and became the voice behind Jayaflava (HarperCollins), a modern love letter to Sri Lankan food.In this episode, Tasha talks about b
imno.Expert #33 - Annika Fernando - The Creative Visionary behind PR
Annika Fernando is an accomplished interior designer and the creative visionary behind PR, Sri Lanka’s premier design-led concept store.With a signature aesthetic that blends modern minimalism with tropical soul, Annika has shaped some of the most beautiful residential and retail spaces in the country. In this episode, we touch on her philosophy on interior architecture, the intersection of design
imno.Expert #32 - Yasas Hewage - Is Colombo the next big sporting destination?
Yasas Hewage is a Cyclist, Bike and Run Organizer, and the Director of Ironman 70.3 Colombo, widely recognized as a driving force behind the endurance sports movement in Sri Lanka.By bringing world-class sporting standards to local shores, Yasas has inspired a new generation of athletes to push beyond their perceived limits. In this episode, we dive into the technicalities of elite cycling and the
imno.Expert #31 - Shalin Balasuriya - Building SPA CEYLON - The World’s Largest Luxury Ayurveda Brand
Shalin Balasuriya As the co-founder of Spa Ceylon, Shalin has spearheaded the global expansion of what is now the world’s largest luxury Ayurveda brand, blending ancient heritage with modern wellness.In this episode, we dive into the grit and strategy required to scale a local Sri Lankan brand into a global empire, and what it truly means to lead in the luxury space.
Nimmi Harasgama | imno.Expert Podcast #11
From her debut in 1997’s Mother Teresa to becoming a household name, Nimmi Harasgama’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. With roots in Sri Lanka and Britain, she’s more than just an actress; she’s a storyteller, a writer, and a producer who breathes life into every role she plays. Her portrayal in 'Ira Madiyama' earned her the Best Actress title at the 2004 International Film Festival
J. Natasha Gooneratne | imno.Expert Podcast #10
J. Natasha Gooneratne is versed in International affairs & diplomacy, and currently heads an initiative, Perspective South, that focuses on Global South perspectives to International Law & order.
Yashodhara Pathanjali | imno.Expert Podcast #9
Yashodhara Pathanjali, a certified Master Life Coach, Fine Artist and Designer, is the co-founder of the Independent Collective School, which is Sri Lanka’s first formal Alternative School.
SankhaB | imno.Expert Podcast #8
SankhaB is a singer, songwriter and a composer who is behind many hits to the Sri Lankan and global music industry, and showcased his talent for fusing modern influences with Sri Lankan music.
Catch SankhaB podcast NOW here.
Rosanna Flamer-Calderal imno.Expert Podcast #7
"Rosanna Flamer-Caldera has spent more than two decades advocating for LGBTQ rights in Sri Lanka, and her relentless advocacy led to a major victory for queer women globally." - Time Magazine
Check out Rosanna's Organization, Equal Ground here : https://www.equal-ground.org/
Sheneller l Imno.expert Podcast #6
Sheneller is the power duo who have taken Sri Lankan content to a new sphere on digital platforms!
Shenelle & Shehaan join us in the imno.expert studios to share their thoughts on South Asian content today and how we can move forward in the years to come!
Asanka De Mel l imno.expert Podcast #5
Asanka de Mel, CEO of LOVI Ceylon, shares his thoughts on how we can take South Asian culture to the world.
Philip Weeraratne l imno.expert Podcast #4
Philip Weeraratne, one of Sri Lanka’s foremost and renowned Architects talks shop and drops his thoughts on working on your own business to A.I in the workplace.
Philip and PWA Architects practice and consult on projects in Singapore, USA, India, Oman, Maldives, Nepal, and Dubai in addition to his regular practice in Sri Lanka.
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Andy Andrews l imno.expert Podcast #3
Andy Andrews is a Professional Golfer, 3 Sport National Athlete & coach who represented Sri Lanka at the 2019 Crossfit Games in Madison, WI. He is the Co-Founder of a successful Crossfit gym in Colombo.
His life's mission is to help bridge the gap between health/medical and fitness.
Johann Peries l imno.expert Podcast #2
An artist inspired by nature, Johann is a hair-
designer by profession and adventurer by
choice. He is the only Sri Lankan man to
summit Mt Everest at 8,848m (29,029 feet) ,
which he achieved on 22 May 2018.
Yashod Jayasooriya l imno.expert Podcast #1
Yashod Jayasooriya is a Personal Fitness Trainer and Coach who is changing the narrative of fitness in Sri Lanka.
#imnoexpert #srilanka
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