Redesigning Education with Kavindya Thennakoon: From Sri Lanka to Stanford, and the Future of EdTech

In this inspiring episode of Tech Talk 360, we sit down with Kavindya Thennakoon—Stanford researcher, designer, and founder of TILLI—to explore how early childhood education can be radically reimagined for the 21st century.

From Challenging School Norms to Building Impact at Scale

Kavindya shares her incredible journey from questioning rigid school systems in Sri Lanka to building an edtech startup that has already touched the lives of over 21,000 children. Discover how her volunteer teaching experiences sparked a mission to transform learning environments through empathy, emotional growth, and cognitive development.

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters

Learn why Kavindya believes emotional learning should be as fundamental as math. She breaks down the science of early childhood development and how the first 10 years shape everything from mental health to economic opportunity.

Harnessing AI to Empower Teachers

Kavindya dives into the thoughtful integration of AI in education—how it can streamline low-value tasks, personalize learning, and support teachers, not replace them.

The TILLI Model: Building Emotional & Cognitive Skills

Get a behind-the-scenes look at TILLI’s unique curriculum, how it operates across both village schools and elite institutions, and the data-backed emotional transformations it’s catalyzing in students.

️ Chapters include:

• Her early classroom experiences and lessons from Stanford
• The 8 core cognitive skills behind TILLI
• Localizing learning for Sinhala, Tamil, and English learners
• The challenges of scaling emotional learning
• The ethical use of screens and AI in early education
• Funding and the future of purpose-driven edtech startups

If you care about the future of learning, emotional intelligence, or tech for good, this episode is a must-listen.

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In this special episode of TechTalk360, we sit down with Anudi Nanayakkara – legal consultant, tech and corporate law expert, and founder of EnoughLove – to explore the evolving intersection of law, technology, and business in today’s digital world.

Key Takeaways:

• Meet Anudi Nanayakkara
• From law student to tech-savvy legal consultant, Anudi shares her journey navigating the corporate legal world, combining innovation and compliance to drive real change.
• The Future of Tech Law
• How AI, blockchain, and automation are reshaping the legal profession – and what legal professionals must know to stay ahead.
• Cybersecurity & Data Privacy
• Learn how to prepare for Sri Lanka’s new Personal Data Protection Act and implement responsible data practices in your business.
• How Legal Tech is Enabling Innovation
• Discover how legal frameworks can drive, not hinder, innovation – while ensuring accountability and access to justice.
• The Story of EnoughLove
• Beyond law, Anudi opens up about her passion project, EnoughLove, and how baking, empathy, and collaboration shape her professional mission.

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Cybersecurity & Digital Transformation with Asela Waidyalankara | Special Cyber Week Episode

In this Cyber Week special of Tech Talk 360, we sit down with Asela Waidyalankara—cybersecurity leader, digital strategist, and renowned tech futurist—for a deep dive into the evolving threats and opportunities of the digital age.

Cybersecurity at Every Level

Asela breaks down the digital security landscape across individual, organizational, and national levels. From managing personal data to shaping national tech policy, he outlines how we can all play a role in protecting digital spaces.

Digital Literacy & Responsibility

Why is cyber awareness vital today—especially for the youth and older generations? Asela discusses the growing need for digital literacy in schools, the risks of misinformation, and how we can foster safer online behavior.

AI & Digital Transformation in Sri Lanka

With powerful insights into AI’s role in agriculture, healthcare, and education, Asela shares how Sri Lanka can leap forward—or fall behind—depending on the digital policies we adopt today.

For Aspiring Cyber Professionals

From ethical hacking to national infrastructure protection, Asela offers advice to young cybersecurity enthusiasts: stay curious, stay ethical, and commit to lifelong learning.

In this episode:

• Who is Asela Waidyalankara?
• The 3 levels of cybersecurity
• Data, privacy, and the fight against digital misinformation
• Why Sri Lanka needs urgent digital literacy reforms
• AI as a tool for development, not just consumption
• Career tips for future cybersecurity leaders
• A rallying call for responsible digital citizenship

Whether you're a student, a parent, a policymaker, or a tech enthusiast, this episode will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to rethink digital safety.

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