Computer coding first captured Neth Dharmasiri’s imagination at the age of 11, when his father handed him a beginner’s guide to Python, one of the world’s most popular coding languages. “Here I am, six years later still coding,” the now-17-year-old said. “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 Microsoft founder Bill Gates, he set out to create his own basic 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,” Neth explained.
Addressing the Digital Divide
Education experts emphasize the growing importance of coding as a fundamental skill, akin to literacy and numeracy. However, Neth, who migrated to Australia from Sri Lanka, understands that access to learning coding is a luxury not available to all students. “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 of Sri Lanka last year, Neth had a eureka moment. While stopped at a tiny rural village, he stumbled upon a computer lab. “They had six computers and the kids were watching YouTube, doing tutorials and stuff on it,” he said. “I just felt the technology was really empowering them and I thought that everyone should have access to this education.”
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. By 2026, their app, purpose-built to function offline in areas with unreliable internet, was released to the market. It offers three courses aimed at providing users with a foundational understanding of coding concepts and their real-world applications.
“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.”
Collaboration for Greater Impact
The young entrepreneurs have partnered with renowned Sri Lankan philanthropist Kushil Gunasekera. Known for his efforts to bridge the urban-rural divide, Gunasekera has received international recognition, including a 2018 humanitarian award from the British government on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II. He expressed 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,” Gunasekera said.
Gunasekera’s Foundation of Goodness charity, with 22 computer labs across rural Sri Lanka, aims to distribute the app to thousands of students. “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 noted.
While Thadus CodeLabs, Neth’s start-up, operates as a for-profit venture, the app is offered free to non-profits and charities, reinforcing its mission to bridge the digital divide.
Bridging the ‘Digital Divide’
University of Southern Queensland science education lecturer Dr. Louise Puslednik emphasized 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 highlighted how Neth and Chinmay’s creation of Thadus demonstrates the critical thinking benefits of coding. Neth himself believes that with the right attitude, anyone can learn to code. “I’m not gifted, I’m not particularly intelligent,” he said. “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, the young innovators hope their app will empower future generations, particularly in underserved communities, to embrace the digital age and its opportunities.
