what’s the concept?
● Series Overview
picture this:
Imagine sipping your drink of choice with an expert at a chill place, and asking these questions:
If accountants are learning AI, shouldn't doctors? If designers are adapting, shouldn't lawyers? If marketers are evolving, shouldn't educators? Are we the last generation of our profession as we know it?
Come chat with Professor Rohan Samarajiva for an eye-opening discussion (an emphasis on discussion because, you as the audience, will be partaking too!) of Barstool Conversations on “The Death of Expertise: Are You the Last Generation of (fill in your profession)?”
When: Monday, 04 November 2025, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Where: Bombay Borough, Colombo
What: A VERY Interactive Discussion
F&B: Available for purchase before and during the session
Arrive early to grab your seat, order your drink, and settle in. Because we’re about to go OFFSCRIPT with Barstool Conversations!
Every month, we transform your favourite hangout spots into chill, yet creative learning environments.
Imagine: renowned physicist explaining quantum mechanics while you sip your craft beer, or a behavioural economist revealing the hidden psychology of decision-making as you enjoy your favourite coffee - ah yes, the barstool is for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks - ha!
The setting is casual, the atmosphere is warm, but the ideas? They will inspire, create, and hopefully take home a buzzed/ alert (depending on your choice of drink, of course) brain full of ideas!
the difference?
YOU, the audience will be a part of the discussion. These are not necessarily lectures - hence, Barstool CONVERSATIONS. You will get the space to converse, challenge, argue, agree and share!
meet our first speaker
Professor Rohan Samarajiva (aka Prof)
Rohan Samarajiva is the founding Chair of LIRNEasia, an ICT policy and regulation think tank active across emerging Asia, where he served as CEO for eight years from 2004. His recent work includes Information Lives of the Poor: Fighting Poverty with Technology (2013), published in four languages.
He chaired Sri Lanka's ICT Agency (2018-19) and was Director General of Telecommunications (1998-99). Previously, he served as Associate Professor at Ohio State University (1987-2000) and Visiting Professor at Delft University of Technology (2000-03). He was a member of the UN Global Pulse Advisory Group on Data and AI Governance.
Professor Samarajiva received the SLT ZeroOne Lifetime Achievement Award (2018), was recognised as an Internet Pioneer by the Internet Society Sri Lanka (2015), and received the International Communication Association's "Communication Research as Agent of Change" award (2009).