Computer coding captured Neth Dharmasiri’s imagination at the tender age of 11 when his father introduced him to Python, one of the world’s most popular programming languages. Now 17, Neth reflects on his journey, stating, “Here I am, six years later still coding. 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 luminaries like 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,” Neth explained.
Education experts emphasize that coding skills are becoming as essential as numeracy and literacy. However, Neth, who migrated from Sri Lanka to Australia, is acutely aware that access to these skills is a luxury not afforded to every student. “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 Sri Lanka last year, Neth experienced a pivotal moment that would shape his future endeavors. In a small rural village, he discovered a computer lab where children were watching YouTube tutorials. “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, engineered to function offline in areas with unreliable internet, has been released to the market. It comprises 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 with Philanthropists
The young entrepreneurs have partnered with renowned Sri Lankan philanthropist Kushil Gunasekera, whose efforts to bridge the urban-rural divide have earned him international accolades, including a 2018 humanitarian award from the British government. Gunasekera is enthusiastic about the app’s potential, stating, “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 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.
While Thadus CodeLabs, Neth’s start-up, operates as a for-profit venture, the app is offered free to not-for-profits and charities, underscoring a commitment to education access.
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 further noted that Neth and Chinmay’s creation of Thadus exemplifies the critical thinking benefits of coding. Neth himself believes that with the right mindset, anyone can learn to code. “I’m not gifted, I’m not particularly intelligent,” he stated. “There’s so many resources at our disposal, it’s just a matter of making sure everyone has access to them.”
The launch of Thadus represents a significant step forward in democratizing access to coding education, offering hope and opportunity to students in underserved regions worldwide. As the app gains traction, it could serve as a model for similar initiatives aiming to bridge educational gaps through technology.
