Meet Yanika Amarasekera-Siyaguna: wife, dog mum, and dynamic entrepreneur. Born and raised in Sri Lanka – with a five-year detour spent between California and London – Yanika has called the island home for most of her life. 

Her days are filled with the energy and demands of running a business, but outside of work, she finds joy in life’s simpler pleasures: quality time with her husband and parents, exploring new restaurants and bars, and fitting in travel adventures whenever possible. Grounded, driven, and refreshingly down-to-earth, Yanika brings a thoughtful balance of ambition and warmth to everything she does.

How did your time at UC Berkeley and Imperial College London shape your entrepreneurial mindset and influence the creation of Silver Aisle?

While neither university directly influenced the creation of Silver Aisle, both, especially Berkeley, changed the way I think, learn, and interact. 

Berkeley was full of life, passion, and students who genuinely believed they were going to change the world. It was truly the best four years and sparked something in me. At Imperial, studying alongside so many focused and driven entrepreneurs helped hone my own focus and taught me to approach things more strategically.

What were the early challenges of launching Sri Lanka’s first online wedding registry and how did you overcome cultural resistance?

As you mentioned, cultural resistance, or more broadly, shifting consumer behaviour, was our biggest challenge. That said, once a few couples started using the registry and their guests had a great experience with it, word began to spread. 

The real turning point was seeing how much people appreciated the convenience, which encouraged more couples to get on board. It ultimately came down to being patient, giving the service time to gain traction, and letting positive feedback do the work for us.

What inspired you to expand into experiences like horse riding, pottery, and curated vacations?

While there was certainly a strategic element in helping to set our brand apart, it was more so about meeting the needs of millennials – many of whom place greater value on experiences than on material gifts. 

How do you strike the balance between innovation and sophistication in every product or brand you select?

I don’t think every product needs to be innovative, but we do aim to uphold a sense of sophistication across everything we feature. Some items, like a classic bunch of red roses, are timeless for a reason, and we embrace that rather than try to reinvent it. It’s really about curating the right balance between enduring favourites and fresh pieces that are in vogue.

What was your reaction to being listed on Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025 and what do you think it says about the future of entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka?

I was honestly pleasantly surprised. Forbes really looks for founders who bring something new to the table – something innovative or a first of its kind. Being featured alongside two other incredible entrepreneurs this year, who are also doing something completely novel, shows that Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial scene is dynamic and moving in the right direction.

As a woman leading in both tech and finance, especially as an Independent Director at LB Finance, what have been your biggest learnings about leadership and impact?

Honestly, it comes down to common sense. No matter the role, I believe common sense is what helps you solve problems and get further than almost any other skill. When it comes to impact, if you focus on creating real value, everything else will fall into place.

What do you think other South Asian entrepreneurs often overlook when trying to build scalable platforms?

I’m not sure if this is necessarily overlooked, or if it’s unique to South Asian entrepreneurs, but from my experience, scalability is far more achievable when you’re genuinely solving a real problem and keeping your business model as lean as possible – the latter makes the scalability a lot more cost-efficient. 

How do you envision the evolution of gifting in the digital age and what role will personalisation, sustainability, and experience-driven choices play in that?

A part of me hopes gifting doesn’t evolve too much further, because I truly appreciate the efficiency, speed, and convenience technology brings while retaining the magic of gift-giving. That magic might be difficult to preserve in a world of AI and full automation. 

What I find most exciting is how gifting has expanded beyond just cakes and flowers; the focus on creating lasting memories through experiences shows how our values are shifting.

With such a curated, premium feel, how do you ensure Silver Aisle remains accessible and relatable to a wide customer base without compromising on brand identity?

We have always positioned ourselves as a niche brand and we’re committed to staying that way. At the same time, we try to be accessible by widening our range of offerings. For instance, we might feature an exclusive tasting menu at a high-end restaurant, alongside a high tea package at the same venue at a more accessible price point. This way, we cater to different budgets without compromising on quality.

What’s next for you and Silver Aisle? 

There may be some regional moves that are in the works – stay tuned!