Thathsara Nanayakkara on how AI can help a new generation embrace their traditions
Artificial intelligence (AI) is often associated with futuristic technologies and advanced digital systems. AI models such as ChatGpt and Grok are often popular with helping students with homework and assignments as well as helping working professionals and companies with their own projects.
However, a group of Sri Lankan researchers in South Korea demonstrated that AI can also be used to preserve cultural heritage by modernising traditional games played during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
By combining computer vision, sensor technologies and interactive design with traditional games, two engineers have created an experience that introduces local traditions to a global audience.
From engineering research to cultural innovation
The project was developed by Engineer Thathsara Nananyakkara and his colleague Sankalpa Lokuliyanage, both of whom are involved in engineering research in South Korea.
According to Nananyakkara, the idea emerged after observing how South Korea has embraced AI across multiple sectors, including education and cultural preservation.
“When we looked at how South Korea is using AI to promote its traditions and cultural attractions, we felt that Sri Lanka could also use technology to showcase our own heritage,” Nanayakkara said.
He explained that the team wanted to create a platform that would introduce traditional Sri Lankan games to both local and international audiences while making them attractive to a generation increasingly immersed in digital technologies.
Community celebration
The innovation was developed for the annual Sri Lankan New Year festival organised by the Sri Lankan student community in South Korea.
The event is coordinated through the Sri Lankan Students’ Association in South Korea, which brings together Sri Lankan students studying at universities across the country. The association operates with guidance from the Sri Lankan Embassy in South Korea and regularly organises cultural events that help maintain connections to Sri Lankan traditions.
This year, organisers wanted to introduce something different. Discussions among students led to the idea of integrating technology into traditional games, creating an experience that would both entertain participants and demonstrate the possibilities of AI-driven innovation.
Reimagining traditions with AI
One of the team's most notable creations is an AI-powered version of the traditional game Aliyata Aha Thabeema, commonly known as placing the eye on the elephant.
Unlike conventional digital games, the system does not require a mouse or physical controller. Instead, players interact using hand gestures detected by a camera.
The technology relies on computer vision and an AI model capable of identifying and tracking hand movements in real time. Players move their index finger to guide the elephant's eye across the screen and use a specific gesture to place it in position.
“The camera acts like a digital eye,” Nananyakkara explained. “The AI model recognises the movement of the player's hand and instantly converts those movements into commands within the game.”
The system then calculates how close the placement is to the correct target and automatically generates a score. All processing takes place within milliseconds, allowing players to enjoy a smooth and responsive experience.
Beyond gaming, Nananyakkara noted that similar computer vision technologies are increasingly being used in robotics, medical applications, industrial automation and advanced human-computer interaction systems.
Bringing games into a virtual world
The second innovation is a digital adaptation of Kana Mutti Bindeema, the traditional blindfolded pot-breaking game.
In this version, players use their smartphones as motion controllers while interacting with a three-dimensional virtual environment.
The system utilises the phone's built-in accelerometer and gyroscope sensors to capture movement data. Information is transmitted in real time to a processing engine that calculates player actions and determines whether they have successfully reached the target.
The result is an immersive digital experience that recreates the excitement of the traditional game while introducing modern technological elements.
“We wanted players to feel the fun of the original game while experiencing it through a completely new medium,” Nananyakkara said.
Inspiring the next generation
The researchers believe technology can play a crucial role in reconnecting younger generations with cultural traditions.
Many young people today spend significant amounts of time using smartphones, tablets and computers. By presenting traditional games through interactive digital platforms, the team hopes to spark renewed interest in Sri Lankan heritage.
“Young people are naturally attracted to technology,” Nananyakkara said. “If we can combine technology with culture, we can encourage them to learn about traditional games and appreciate their value.”
He added that the same technological approach could eventually be expanded beyond cultural activities to educational games focused on science, mathematics and problem-solving skills.
Looking ahead
Although the games are not yet publicly available, development has largely been completed and the team plans to launch them as a free, open-access online platform before the next Sri Lankan New Year season.
Future versions are expected to feature additional improvements and potentially include more traditional Sri Lankan games.
For Nananyakkara and his colleague, the project represents more than a technological achievement. It demonstrates how innovation can serve as a bridge between tradition and modernity, ensuring that cultural practices continue to evolve and remain relevant in an increasingly digital world.
“Our goal is not only to build technology,” Nananyakkara said. “It is to use technology to share Sri Lankan culture with the world and help preserve it for future generations.”