Three young Sri Lankan innovators have been featured in Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30 list for 2025, a prestigious recognition celebrating the most impactful individuals under the age of 30 across Asia. The trio includes Charith N. Silva, the creator of the globally renowned Wild Cookbook YouTube channel, Nikin Matharaarachchi, founder of AI startup Synapse AI Labs, and Yaanika Amarasekara, the entrepreneur behind digital gifting platform Silver Aisle.
Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia: A Rigorous Selection from Over 4,500 Nominations
Forbes Asia’s annual 30 Under 30 list is compiled following an extensive evaluation process led by its editorial team and a panel of expert judges. From more than 4,500 candidates, only 300 were selected, with 30 individuals highlighted under 10 categories. The evaluation process considers innovation, impact, creativity, and future potential. Esteemed judges this year included Kai-Fu Lee (CEO of Sinovation Ventures), Solina Chau (Director of the Li Ka Shing Foundation), and Infosys co-founder S.D. Shibulal. Eligible candidates were required to be under 30 years of age as of December 4, 2024.
Sri Lankans Shine in Retail & E-commerce, Social Media, and Innovation Categories
Charith N. Silva was recognized for his creative contributions in both the arts and e-commerce sectors. His YouTube channel Wild Cookbook, launched in 2020, has surpassed 10 million subscribers and over 4 billion total views, making it Sri Lanka’s first channel to near the coveted Diamond Play Button milestone. While he is primarily celebrated for his culinary content, his work also plays a significant role in digital commerce and brand partnerships.
Yaanika Amarasekara, featured in the Retail & E-commerce category, is the founder of Silver Aisle, Sri Lanka’s first digital gift registry platform launched in 2019. Initially focused on weddings, the platform has since expanded to offer a wide range of curated experiences, including holiday packages, horseback riding, golf, pottery classes, and more. Yaanika holds a Master’s in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Imperial College Business School in London, along with degrees in Political Economy (UC Berkeley) and Communications.
In the Social Media, Marketing & Advertising category, Nikin Matharaarachchi was acknowledged for founding Synapse AI Labs, the Sri Lanka-based company behind Kommon Poll, an AI-driven sentiment analysis tool. Established in 2021, Common Poll analyzes keyword trends across websites, blogs, and social media to provide actionable marketing insights. In 2022, the startup was selected for the John Keells X accelerator and open innovation program.
Retail & E-commerce Category Highlights: A Regional Round-Up
This year’s Retail & E-commerce honorees include trailblazers such as:
- Yumi Hwang, founder of YOLO and Croket, with over 700,000 products sold through 25,000 sellers across 89 countries.
- Rachel Wild, creator of TBH Skincare, known for sustainable beauty products.
- Kamakshi Agarwala, founder of Butt-Chique, a sustainable fashion brand.
- Delugs, a luxury watch strap brand from Singapore with a robust e-commerce presence.
- HMNS, an Indonesian fragrance brand reshaping the retail landscape.
Charith Silva and Yaanika Amarasekara were also featured in this category, standing out for their influence in digital content and commerce.
Sri Lankan Excellence on a Global Stage
The inclusion of these Sri Lankan entrepreneurs in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list is a powerful testament to the nation’s growing entrepreneurial potential and innovation on a global scale. These changemakers are not only redefining their industries but also elevating Sri Lanka’s profile in the global startup ecosystem.
Their achievements reflect a new generation of visionaries who are leading with purpose, leveraging technology, and creating sustainable, scalable impact across Asia and beyond.