Computer coding first captured Neth Dharmasiri’s imagination at the tender age of 11 when his father introduced him to a beginner’s guide to Python, one of the world’s most popular programming languages. Now 17, Neth reflects on his journey, stating, “It is difficult… [but] that appeals to me because I have a curiosity within myself to fix problems.”
A year ago, Neth embarked on his most ambitious project yet. Inspired by tech mogul Bill Gates, he set out to create his own programming language. “I’ve been developing it for the past year and doing a lot of user interface changes on it, but it’s a fully functioning programming language,” he explained.
Education experts emphasize the growing importance of coding skills, equating them with numeracy and literacy. However, Neth, who migrated from Sri Lanka to Australia, understands that access to such education is not universal. “I can look around and there are tonnes of monitors around me, whereas [in rural Sri Lanka] a lot of them come from farming backgrounds. They don’t have a lot of resources, definitely don’t have a lot of technology,” he noted.
A Eureka Moment in Sri Lanka
During a visit to his parents’ homeland last year, Neth had a transformative experience. In a remote village, he discovered a small computer lab where children were using the few available computers to watch educational content on YouTube. “I just felt the technology was really empowering them and I thought that everyone should have access to this education,” he said.
Upon returning to Australia, Neth, along with his friend Chinmay Lal, also 17, began developing ‘Thadus’—a digital learning tool designed to teach coding to beginners. Fast forward to 2026, and the app, optimized to function offline in areas with unreliable internet, has been launched. It offers three courses aimed at imparting fundamental coding skills applicable to real-world industries.
“Course three is data science and I think that’s the most important course,” Neth said. “Considering data science is a really important skill because of the AI boom at the moment.”
Partnership with a Philanthropist
The young innovators have partnered with Kushil Gunasekera, a renowned Sri Lankan philanthropist recognized for his efforts to bridge the urban-rural divide. Gunasekera, who received a humanitarian award from the British government in 2018, expressed his enthusiasm for the app’s potential. “The fact [the boys] want to share the app at this very early stage gives them that special edge and I feel when you help those who cannot repay the favour, it’s a true hallmark of their character,” he said.
Gunasekera plans to distribute the app through 22 computer labs established by his Foundation of Goodness charity across rural Sri Lanka. “Most of [the students] don’t have computers at home… it’s about 18 per cent in the real estate areas, in the Up Country it’s about 5pc perhaps,” he explained.
Although Thadus CodeLabs is a for-profit venture, Neth assures that the app is free for not-for-profits and charities, reinforcing his commitment to education accessibility.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Dr. Louise Puslednik, a science education lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland, highlights the significance of tools like ‘Thadus’ in addressing the global digital divide. “Around a quarter of Australia’s population don’t have great access to digital products and services,” she said. “What that means for students in those regional areas is that they’re not able to easily engage in things such as coding programs and develop those digital competency skills.”
Dr. Puslednik commends Neth and Chinmay’s initiative, noting the critical thinking skills fostered through coding. Neth himself believes that with the right mindset, anyone can learn to code. “I’m not gifted, I’m not particularly intelligent,” he humbly stated. “There’s so many resources at our disposal, it’s just a matter of making sure everyone has access to them.”
As Thadus continues to gain traction, it represents a significant step towards democratizing education and technology, offering hope for a more inclusive digital future.
