Uthpala Pathirana

Uthpala Pathirana, Managing Director of WhimsicalWits in Sri Lanka, embodies resilience and innovation. Raised in a village, she began her career as a web editor at TV Derana, teaching herself 3D modeling before advancing to roles as a 3D modeler and Project Manager at Mogo Games. She later founded WhimsicalWits, focusing on educational games, including “Cyber Hero”, a game funded by Internews to teach South Asian teens about internet security. 

Beyond WhimsicalWits, Uthpala serves as a Director at Digital Turtles, advocating for digital literacy and social engagement in Sri Lanka. Passionate about empowering women in creative fields, she leads the Women in Motion program, offering mentorship and resources to women entering animation, game development, and digital industries. 

Uthpala’s vision is to expand WhimsicalWits globally and inspire more women to pursue creative tech careers, marking her as a leader committed to impactful, inclusive change in digital and creative industries.