COLOMBO — Over 100 Sri Lankan podcasters, digital content creators, and media innovators gathered at the Granbell Hotel in Colombo on August 20, 2026, for a landmark event organized by the Podcasters’ Association of Sri Lanka.
Titled Exploring the New Media Landscape, the forum addressed the central theme: “Navigating Sri Lanka’s Evolving Media Landscape: Challenges, Opportunities, and Sustainable Creator Growth.”
The event established a collaborative space for independent creators, legacy media representatives, and government officials to lay the groundwork for a more resilient and sustainable local creator ecosystem.
Key Highlights & Statements
Government Support for Creators: Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Deputy Minister of Mass Media, opened the forum by reaffirming the government’s support for the expanding creator economy. She emphasized the impact of independent voices on public discourse and expressed the state’s intent to help creators build sustainable long-term careers.
Civic Engagement & Collaboration: Namini Panditha, President of the Podcasters’ Association of Sri Lanka and Attorney-at-Law, explained that podcasts encourage active civic involvement on economics, governance, and politics, driving public transparency. She called for closer collaboration between independent creators and legacy networks rather than viewing them as opposing forces.
Industry Standards: Bruno Diwakara, founder of SLVLOG and founding member of the Association, highlighted the need for collective action to keep local creators adaptable to technological changes while raising production quality across Sri Lanka’s digital media landscape.
Expert Panel Insights:
The forum featured an expert panel offering actionable guidance across three core areas:
– Digital Transformation & Entrepreneurship: Lahiru Mudalige (Founder & CEO, Hari TV) shared insights on transitioning from traditional production models to build digital-first media enterprises.
– Monetization & Audience Growth: Udara Dharmasena (Regional VP, Roar AdX) outlined strategies for demographic targeting, platform monetization, and securing brand partnerships.
– Legal Frameworks & Compliance: Dr. Sunil Abeyratne (Chair, LAWASIA IT Law) detailed digital media regulations, intellectual property protections, privacy rights, and data protection compliance.
– The Podcasters’ Association of Sri Lanka reiterated its mission to support local creators by defending creator rights, offering legal literacy, and expanding strategic growth opportunities across the island.
