Dhanika Perera — The Digital Visionary Powering Sri Lanka’s Tech Future

The Founder of Bhasha and Creator of Helakuru, PayHere, and HelaPay

By rebuildsrilanka.com | Entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka Series | 03

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By RebuildSriLanka.com | Entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka Series

A Vision Rooted in Language and Innovation

In a world driven by technology, one Sri Lankan entrepreneur stood out by asking a simple but powerful question:

“How can we bring technology closer to the people — in their own language?”

That question became the foundation of Bhasha, founded by Dhanika Perera, a pioneering tech company dedicated to empowering Sri Lankans through digital innovation in Sinhala and Tamil.

From humble beginnings, Dhanika built a suite of platforms that now reach millions of Sri Lankans daily, bridging language, commerce, and convenience.

The Bhasha Ecosystem: Innovation for Every Sri Lankan

Dhanika’s work didn’t stop at one product. Under the Bhasha Technologies umbrella, he launched a powerful ecosystem of apps and platforms that serve Sri Lankans in every aspect of digital life.

Helakuru — Sri Lanka’s Most Downloaded App

Helakuru (meaning “Hela Keyboard”) is Sri Lanka’s No. 1 digital communication app, with over 10 million downloads and millions of active users.

It revolutionized how Sri Lankans type, communicate, and express themselves in Sinhala — both online and offline.

What began as a simple keyboard app has grown into a complete digital platform offering:

• News and local updates
• Weather and astrology info
• Government service portals
• Digital payments via HelaPay

Helakuru is now a symbol of national digital identity — proudly local, yet globally functional.

HelaPay & PayHere — Powering the Digital Economy

Recognizing Sri Lanka’s need for secure online payments, Dhanika launched PayHere, the country’s first comprehensive online payment gateway.

PayHere enabled thousands of Sri Lankan businesses — from startups to corporates — to receive payments online safely and efficiently.

This innovation helped accelerate the nation’s e-commerce transformation, especially during the COVID-19 years.

Building on that momentum, he introduced HelaPay, a mobile payment solution within Helakuru, connecting digital wallets, banks, and services under one roof.

Together, PayHere and HelaPay are empowering Sri Lanka’s move toward a cashless society.

HelaGo, Helaru & Beyond

Dhanika’s innovation didn’t stop at communication and payments.

Through HelaGo and Helaru, he’s expanding into mobility and digital lifestyle services — creating a homegrown ecosystem that can compete with international tech giants, but designed for Sri Lankan people, in Sri Lankan style.

Each new launch represents his broader vision: a digitally sovereign Sri Lanka, powered by local creativity and global technology standards.

The Entrepreneur Behind the Movement

Dhanika Perera’s success is no accident. Educated at the University of Moratuwa, he combined engineering, vision, and national pride to build technology that resonates with people.

He once said:

“I wanted to build technology that helps every Sri Lankan — not just those who speak English.”

That philosophy made him a role model for young entrepreneurs, showing that innovation doesn’t need to come from Silicon Valley — it can come from Colombo, Kandy, or Jaffna, and still reach the world.

Awards & Recognition

• Founder, Bhasha Technologies (2011–present)
• Creator of Helakuru — Sri Lanka’s No. 1 Mobile App
• Creator of PayHere — Award-winning Payment Gateway 
  
• Featured in global publications as one of South Asia’s emerging tech leaders

Inspiring a Digital Nation

Today, Dhanika Perera is more than an entrepreneur — he’s a digital architect of Sri Lanka’s future.

Through Bhasha, he has built a framework for a truly connected island — where language, payments, and mobility unite under one digital ecosystem.

He represents the new generation of Sri Lankan founders: bold, visionary, and deeply patriotic.

His story shows that rebuilding Sri Lanka begins with empowering its people — in their own language, on their own platforms.

“Bhasha isn’t just a company — it’s a movement to make technology truly Sri Lankan.”

— Dhanika Perera

Rebuild Sri Lanka’s Commitment to Entrepreneurs & Social Responsibility

At RebuildSriLanka.com, we celebrate innovators like Dhanika Perera because they embody our mission: to rebuild our nation through creativity, technology, and community.

Our Entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka series is more than storytelling — it’s a commitment to:

• Recognize local founders driving national change
• Support sustainable, inclusive innovation
• Promote digital literacy, job creation, and social impact

We believe entrepreneurship is not just about profit — it’s about purpose.

Every founder we feature carries the responsibility to uplift communities, protect culture, and create opportunities for others.

Together with pioneers like Dhanika, we aim to inspire a generation of socially responsible entrepreneurs who see business not only as innovation — but as nation-building.