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20 Years of Shilpa Sayura

For 20 years, Shilpa Sayura has used education, technology and social innovation to expand opportunities across Sri Lanka. Our journey began with local-language digital learning and a commitment to making knowledge accessible to young people and underserved communities.

Over the years, our work has expanded to include national education, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, climate technology, gender-responsive development, youth media and inclusive digital services.

Today, Shilpa Sayura Foundation continues to connect local knowledge with emerging technology, preparing the next generation to learn, innovate and lead.

Highlight: Cyber Defence Initiative

Protecting communities. Strengthening support networks. Building cyber resilience.

Cyber Defence Initiative

The Cyber Defence Initiative will strengthen cyber resilience in Sri Lanka through community protection, trusted support networks, threat awareness and coordinated cyber defence. The initiative will help individuals, institutions and communities recognise emerging risks, protect critical information, improve incident readiness and build trusted networks for collective cybersecurity.

Current Projects

Cyber Shield

Building practical cyber-safety knowledge, community support networks and stronger digital resilience among young people, institutions and local communities.

Cyber Shield project

Climate Tech Girls

Supporting girls to explore climate science, environmental monitoring, digital tools and practical technology solutions for climate resilience.

Climate Tech Girls project

AI for STEM Education

Equipping teachers and students with practical skills in artificial intelligence, coding, electronics and the Internet of Things through applied STEM learning.

AI for STEM Education project

Digital National Education

Expanding access to inclusive, local-language digital learning resources and strengthening pathways for education, skills and lifelong learning.

Digital National Education project

Awards for Innovation and Impact

Shilpa Sayura has received national and international recognition for its contributions to education, technology, youth empowerment and social innovation.

Shilpa Sayura receiving international recognition
  • 2025 — AI Hackathon Sri Lanka
  • 2022 — Forbes 30 Under 30
  • 2020 — UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education
  • 2020 — WSIS Prizes Champion, International Telecommunication Union
  • 2020 — Finalist, AFS Global Citizen Award
  • 2017 — Internet Society 25 Under 25 Award
  • 2017 — TADHack Sri Lanka Hackathon Award
  • 2013 — World Summit Youth Award
  • 2013 — Adobe–UNICEF Challenge Award
  • 2013 — Two Adobe Aspire Awards: Poster Campaign and Photo Essay
  • 2013 — Microsoft–World Bank Youth Solutions Award
  • 2009 — Lien i3 Challenge, Singapore Management University
  • 2008 — Stockholm Challenge Award, Sweden
  • 2008 — DISKOBOLOS International Award
  • 2008 — Best Corporate Citizen Award, Sri Lanka
  • 2007 — Global Knowledge Partnership Award, Malaysia
  • 2007 — i4D Award, India

Partners

Shilpa Sayura Foundation partner organisations

We work with a diverse network of partners, including government institutions, grassroots organisations, universities, schools, private-sector companies, professional bodies, civil-society organisations and funding agencies.

These partnerships help us expand access to learning, deliver training, strengthen cybersecurity, support girls and young people, conduct research and pilot practical technology solutions.