{"id":3655,"date":"2025-06-04T12:54:04","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T07:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/economictimes.lk\/?p=3655"},"modified":"2025-06-04T12:54:05","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T07:24:05","slug":"tedxcolombo-2025-brings-madness-to-life-a-stage-for-the-bold-the-brave-and-the-brilliantly-unreasonable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/economictimes.lk\/index.php\/2025\/06\/04\/tedxcolombo-2025-brings-madness-to-life-a-stage-for-the-bold-the-brave-and-the-brilliantly-unreasonable\/","title":{"rendered":"TEDxColombo 2025 Brings \u2018MADness\u2019 to Life -A Stage for the Bold, the Brave, and the Brilliantly Unreasonable"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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TEDxColombo Stage <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What once seemed absurd now shapes the future. That spirit was alive and electric at TEDxColombo 2025<\/strong>, which returned for its milestone 15th edition on Sunday, June 1st, filling the iconic Nelum Pokuna Theatre with over 900 attendees and one compelling idea: \u2018MADness.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s theme wasn\u2019t chaos for its own sake. It was a deliberate celebration of thinking that challenges the norm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting the tone with irreverent humour and sharp intellect, Ashok Ferry<\/strong> opened the event with a blend of satire and sincerity that had the audience laughing and thinking in equal measure. From there, the day unfolded in waves of emotion, intellect, and inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jason Rajasinghe<\/strong>, speaking from the heart of Sri Lanka\u2019s film industry, challenged the country to imagine itself on the global cinematic stage- with vision, pride, and persistence. Vickum Nawagamuwage<\/strong> dug into the emotional architecture of stress and sorrow, reframing them as symptoms of a disconnected world in desperate need of compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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TEDxColombo Speakers 2025 (L to R) – Sanjiva Weerawarana, Kevin Wilson, Vickum Nawagamuwage, Sonali Silva, Anya Ratnayake, Jason Rajasinghe, and Yevan David,
 <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Environmental scientist Anya Ratnayake<\/strong> delivered a quietly urgent talk on Colombo\u2019s wetlands –  not just their ecological value, but their emotional and cultural importance. Yevan David<\/strong>, the young Formula 1 prodigy, defied expectations by speaking not of speed, but of stillness – how patience, meditation, and silence helped shape him on and off the track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tech entrepreneur Sanjiva Weerawarana<\/strong> called for a radical shift in Sri Lanka\u2019s tech mindset- from service delivery to product innovation, likening the transformation to the evolution of Sri Lankan cricket. Sonali Silva<\/strong>, in a moment of courageous clarity, broke the silence around unsafe abortions, challenging societal stigma and advocating for justice and bodily autonomy. And closing the day with warmth and poetic storytelling, Kevin Wilson<\/strong> traced the journey of Chai Tea<\/em> – a metaphor for migration, identity, and belonging, leaving the audience with a rare, resonant stillness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding another dimension to the event\u2019s creative tapestry was a special performance by Cracklepop<\/strong>, a live electronic music act made up of Sweetie<\/strong>, Geve<\/strong>, and a delightful ensemble of whimsical, noise-making machines. Blending the textures of house, breaks, boom bap, dub, and unfiltered curiosity, their set offered a playful yet immersive sonic experience- plush, strange, and irresistibly groovy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, these talks wove a narrative of \u201cmadness\u201d not as instability, but as the essential ingredient in real change. They reminded us that every meaningful leap begins with a moment of doubt, a raised eyebrow, or someone saying, \u201cThat will never work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSome of the world\u2019s most transformative breakthroughs began as \u2018mad\u2019 ideas,\u201d said Safra Anver<\/strong>, Licensee and Organizer of TEDxColombo. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TEDxColombo 2025 was made possible through the support of forward-thinking partners, led by John Keells IT<\/strong>, as Main Partner in a partnership that has spanned over 10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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TEDxColombo Organising Team (L to R) Koshal Krishnakumar, Hamza Alibhoy, Johanns Rogers, Shabeeb Muzammil, Safra Anver, Juzer Kaed, Moiz Mustafa Naria.


<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIdeas spark change \u2014 and TEDxColombo 2025 lit the fire. It brought together fearless voices, disruptive minds, and bold dreams,\u201d said Ramesh Shanmuganathan<\/strong>, EVP\/Group CIO of John Keells Holdings & CEO of John Keells IT. \u201c At John Keells IT, we\u2019re proud to stand with those who challenge the status quo and lead with purpose. Because real change begins with those brave enough to imagine it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TEDxColombo has long been more than just a stage. The energy in the theatre carried through every break, where ideas spilt into hallways, lobbies, and impromptu circles of conversation. Volunteers, partners, speakers, and guests shared more than just space; they shared a sense of collective curiosity. The best ideas- the ones that change minds, move hearts, and reshape futures- often start with someone brave enough to sound a little mad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A wide range of supporting partners brought the event experience to life. From brand collaborators to technical specialists, each played a critical role in building a TEDx that was immersive and world-class: Ceccato Colombo, Ilgelato, Illy Coffee, Titanite, Richardson Outdoor, Acumen Intelligence, Daily Mirror, Daily FT, Hii Magazine, Bling Events, VIDA Medical Services, Audio Technica, E-Maan Digital, Ushan Gunasekera Photography, Anim8, PR Wire, EnCare, Book Studio, Nuts on Top, American Water, Mailchimp<\/strong>, and BoxOffice.lk<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Videos and full talks from TEDxColombo 2025 will soon be available at <\/a>www.tedxcolombo.org<\/a>. Follow @TEDxColombo<\/strong> and join the ongoing dialogue under #TEDxColombo2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About TED<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, often in the form of short talks delivered by leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED conferences, intimate TED Salons and thousands of independently organized TEDx events around the world. Videos of these talks are made available, free, on <\/a>TED.com<\/a> and other platforms. Audio versions of TED Talks are published to TED Talks Daily<\/a>, available on all podcast platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TED’s open and free initiatives for spreading ideas include <\/a>TED.com<\/a>, where new TED Talk videos are posted daily; <\/a>TEDx<\/a>, which licenses thousands of individuals and groups to host local, self-organized TED-style events around the world; the <\/a>TED Fellows<\/a> program, which selects innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities; <\/a>The Audacious Project<\/a>, which surfaces and funds critical ideas that have the potential to impact millions of lives; <\/a>TED Translators, which crowdsources the subtitling of TED Talks so that big ideas can spread across languages and borders; and the educational initiative <\/a>TED-Ed<\/a>. TED also offers TED@Work<\/a>,<\/a> a program that reimagines TED Talks for workplace learning. TED also has a growing library of original podcasts, including <\/a>The TED Interview<\/a> with Chris Anderson, <\/a>WorkLife with Adam Grant<\/a>, <\/a>Far Flung with Saleem Reshamwala<\/a> and How to Be a Better Human<\/a>.
Follow TED on Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a> and on LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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