Whether to duet with D’Amelio, laugh it up with Khaby Lame or post a simple #TBT Dialog’s all-new Fun Blaster Rs. 297 plan enables both its prepaid and postpaid customers with the ideal monthly bundle plan for worry-free TikTok and Instagram usage anytime, anywhere.

With a large pool of users on each platform, these social media giants set the pace for the times with the latest trends, allowing individuals to explore and express their creativity by learning new skills like cooking, dancing, singing etc. staying up to date with the latest fashion and makeup trends, indulge their inner escapist by following travel pages and influencers and much more.

Encouraging limitless creative freedom, TikTok and Instagram have created an army of social media mavens and Dialog’s new Fun Blaster Plan, under its popular ‘Blaster’ series, identifies the emergent needs of this young pool of customers and has specifically designed its plan to provide TikTok and Instagram-savvy customers with enough and more data for a whole month. The Dialog Fun Blaster plan offers 15GB Anytime Data and is priced as low as Rs. 297 (including taxes) for 30 days. The all-new TikTok & Instagram plan can be activated via the MyDialog App, by reloading Rs. 297, dialling #678#, or by visiting dialog.lk.

In addition to enabling customers to enjoy and experience Instagram and TikTok without worrying about their data, Dialog Fun Blaster Rs. 297 plan ensures that customers have a carefree online experience without compromising on content quality as it also provides a buffer-free video viewing experience specifically optimized to mobile phones at SD quality (360p).

More information on the Fun Blaster Rs. 297 Plan can be accessed via – www.dialog.lk

Growing up in a middle-class family, @lochanajayakodi was an average Sri Lankan girl with big dreams and ambitions. From a tender age, young Lochi wanted to be an actress and often dreamed of the day she would do the walk of fame down a red carpet, being featured in the industry's biggest events.

Despite facing many personal setbacks, Lochana is a versatile lady of many talents. With the determination to master her numerous crafts, today she has evolved into a famous influencer, content creator, YouTuber, actress, activist and Director of her very own company.

Owing her success to her journey through TikTok, @lochanajayakodi has garnered a following of 1.1Mn and 15.7Mn likes, resulting from her ability to remain creative, authentic and relevant with the dynamic trends on TikTok. Needless to say, Lochana’s commitment to deliver quality content beyond expectations is why many of us love her, even today.

1. Who is Lochana and what is your story?

Growing up, I was a typical Sri Lankan girl from a middle-class family with two hardworking parents. I am the eldest child and I have two younger sisters.

When I was barely passing out of high school, tragedy struck. My mum passed away due to a rare lung disease and I had to undertake the responsibility of both my younger sisters. Pursuing my studies was not an option for me during this period, since I had to financially support my sisters to pursue their education. Although my academics were at a halt, I made sure I pursued my passion for dancing and managed to earn a living out of it. In fact, I'm a certified Zumba instructor and an award-winning Latin dancer.

Wanting to be an icon, be famous, recognised and own a celebrity status is probably the dream of every young girl and I was not so different myself. I always wanted to be an actress, so becoming a social media star was something that caught me by surprise. Today, my passion has helped me change my fate.

2. What is your profession?

I am a digital content creator and influencer. While creating content is one of my biggest passions, I also collaborate with top-notch brands for digital campaigns locally and globally.

I’m also the proud owner of Lochi Studios (PVT) LTD – a 360 degree digital marketing agency, with operations in Sri Lanka and UAE.

3. How did you first discover TikTok?

If there’s one platform I owe all credit to for my journey, it's definitely TikTok. I always loved dancing and recording myself. It wasn’t until my colleague suggested that I upload these videos on TikTok (previously known as Musical.ly) and that’s when everything changed.

4. What motivated/inspired you to be a content creator?

I wanted to do something different. I wanted to set an example for young girls, who are often limited by social norms and are too scared to take action. Being a content creator is not a conventional profession in our society, but it is definitely one that can make a huge impact.

5. What is your favorite TikTok video that you've created and why?

Oh, I love all of them! I'm the biggest fan of my creations.

A video I posted on TikTok went viral and became a hit sensation in Sri Lanka. The reactions were instantaneous and the TikTok algorithm helped me reach a vast audience and get noticed by many. It was then that I realized the potential of the platform, so I grabbed the opportunity to keep doing what I do and regularly post various types of content.

6. How would you describe the genre of your content?

Among all genres, I like comedy and dancing the most. I also post a mix of drama, lip-sync and other various types of content to keep my audience engaged.

7. What do you love most about the TikTok community?

Diversity for sure. So many different creators from so many different walks of life.

There are also no limitations but immense potential for growth on TikTok. Through the platform, I was able to re-direct my audience to Instagram, Facebook and YouTube – which is how I’m among the best 360-degree influencers in Sri Lanka with over 4.5 Million followers and fans, collectively.

8. Any TikTok related hacks that you have learned yourself?

TikTok is a very user friendly platform. However, through my experience I have learned that it is better not to delete and re-upload. Rather, you can create the videos beforehand, save a draft and later upload as per your convenience. Also, it is better to have a sensible mix of sponsored and non-sponsored content and try out every single trend to gain reach.

9. What advice would you have for other working professionals looking to create a presence on TikTok?

Being a creator is so much easier now. Whatever profession you are involved in, you can highlight or feature your speciality. For instance, a doctor can post medical advice, a lawyer can post legal tips, a farmer could show off his latest harvest and a carpenter can display his finest craftsmanship, etc. The possibilities are endless and getting started is super easy. In today's world, everyone can be a creator, share valuable knowledge and inspire thousands of others. So get started, you will thank me later!

In today's digital age, content is king. Over the years, social media has transformed into becoming the go-to source of how people consume content, whether for informational purposes or to simply divulge in any sort of entertainment. Comedy especially, is a big hit among the masses in any country, allowing people to take a break and enjoy a little down-time with a good laugh that could help alleviate the daily stress from their lives.

In recent times, funny videos and comedic skits have become very popular on TikTok. All you need to do is open your TikTok app and you will find tons of funny videos, sounds and comedic skits. These videos will take only 15 seconds to a maximum of 3 minutes - making it ideal for those who need a quick giggle here and there.

On TikTok, many Sri Lankans have become popular thanks to their jovial nature and witty sense of humor. One of them is Chethana Ketagoda, a versatile lady of many talents. A lawyer, dubbing artist and digital content creator among many other professions, Chethana shares a plethora of comedic skits, funny videos, song covers and many other forms of authentic content on TikTok.

Due to her humor and outstanding lip-syncing and acting skills, Chethana has garnered a strong base of over 8Mn likes and 411.2K followers. What's amazing about her is that despite juggling multiple professions, her enthusiasm towards creating original and quality material is what makes her content so appealing.

Who is Chethana Ketagoda?

I'm a 30 year old lawyer, Hindi language teacher, senior dubbing and commercial voice actor. I'm also a digital content creator on five platforms - TikTok, Youtube, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. I juggle all these professions on a daily basis, so that's pretty much my life. Apart from that, my hobbies include coming home to my room, traveling, watching movies, dancing, reading, journaling - there's a lot of things I enjoy doing.

How did you discover TikTok and when did you start creating content on the platform?

I discovered TikTok in 2016 while doing my LLB degree, when the app was previously known as Musical.ly. There was also another app called Dubsmash, but I preferred Musical.ly since you could experiment and play around with more sounds, music and funny skits. I absolutely love dubbing and I've been in the industry for the past 20 years, so I found it incredibly fun being able to create content in this regard.

I think because of my work stress and study stress, TikTok was one of my main stressbusters at the time. It's also really great because it doesn't consume too much time to make content and you get to be 100% creative in all sorts of ways.

How do you juggle between so many professions and creating content on TikTok?

Since I am professionally a digital content creator, whether I'm travelling or at home, I always have whatever I need to create a good piece of content. I have all my gadgets, such as my tripod and my light. If I don't have the light, I make use of natural light.

I always plan my content, but sometimes I also have spontaneous moments where I just go for it. It can be inside my car, during my shoots, it can be anywhere. But I do always make it a point to plan ahead and shoot about 5-6 original content pieces at a time. I don't mind the location to be very honest. I would shoot my content even on the road if I felt like it. So I always end up having excess content - it's just a matter of editing and uploading it.

I also don't think my profession gets in the way of being a digital creator because digital creation is very 'in the moment'. Unlike a 9 to 5 job, there's always the advantage of making content even at 2am in the night.

How would you specify the type of content on your TikTok?

It's very diverse, but mostly comedy and singing.

What is the inspiration behind your comedic skits?

I've never looked up to comedians to be a comedian myself. I knew I was funny, but I didn't know I could be digitally funny. On TikTok, there's so many people who are inherently funny that they don't even have to move a muscle. Even the most random person can be funny on TikTok. Especially in Sri Lanka, there are housewives and even school kids who sit at home and make extremely funny content!

As someone who uses TikTok, what type of content do you prefer watching?

Oh, definitely comedy! Like I mentioned, even after about 6 or 7 years TikTok is still my stressbuster.

I always love to see something creative when it comes to any type of talent. Let's say someone's drawing something or recording a makeup tutorial? It's very soothing to watch. There's this content creator called Plastique Tiara who transforms into an incredibly gorgeous woman - you can't even identify if it's the same person!

I also love story-telling videos, dancing and singing trends. Basically, I will consume any type of content that comes my way if it's creative.

Who do you follow on TikTok?

I follow a lot of international accounts like the Quick Style gang, Jason Derulo, Fash, Simpal Kharel, Lily Singh and of course our very own Gayathri - who is one of the few Sri Lankan TikTokers to go international. There's also DermDoctor, Pierson and a comedian called Adam, among many others.

From Sri Lanka, I follow Lochana Jayakodi, my friends Harshanee Yudagana, Kavindu Madushan, Saasha Karunaratne, Kumalinda, Denathi Pussegoda, Travel with Wife, Blok&Dino and KAALI, to name a few.

What advice would you have for anyone looking to create content on TikTok?

The best thing about TikTok is that it encourages inherently creative people to get out there. Even if you're shy, you decide what content to make, you're the person in front of the camera recording yourself and you are your own boss. If you want to get into creating content, it's never too late. You can start anytime, at any place. You just have to figure out what you're really good at and what you love doing.

There's so many talented people who don't come onboard TikTok as creators because they're scared, which they shouldn't be! TikTok has various community guidelines, filters and so many other options where you get to control what's been shown on your own platform.

I have personally discovered a lot through this app. It has brought so much into my life - a good community of friends and a world of creativity. So I would advise that you start and start now. Be 100% original and let your talent shine.

Image Caption: Chethana Ketagoda

The global tourism industry is set to bounce back strongly after the post-pandemic speed bump. On World Tourism Day, actors and stakeholders in the industry are taking the next big step in rejuvenating travel, in line with this year's theme, "Rethinking Tourism".

More importantly, tourism is slated to play a crucial role in the resurrection of Sri Lanka’s distressed economic condition, by attracting foreign exchange earnings and complementing the growth rate in the years to come. With the country looking for a way out of the mess it finds itself in on the economic front, the tourism sector will be expected to revive its fortunes, which in the past had been a source of much glory for the Sri Lankan economy.

The digital revolution has altered how travellers book trips and decide where to go. Travellers can now research potential destinations, find travel advisors, and even use social media platforms as their main form of communication in place of email. In Sri Lanka too, as travellers become more tech-savvy, they are increasingly beginning to rely on digital platforms like TikTok to plan and influence their travel itineraries.

As a matter of fact, TikTok has grown immensely popular for showcasing authentic moments of immersive travel, including interacting with nature in various ways, sampling street food across cultures, or showcasing distinct local experiences. With over 1.2 billion users across the world, TikTok possesses the power to attract the global travel fraternity with its short video format.

And so, in the ever-evolving digital Sri Lankan landscape, short video platforms like TikTok are pioneering the next big revolution in the tourism sector.

 How youngsters travel

Planning a trip has always been an exciting prospect for those who love to travel. But in particular, today's generation has grown fond of genuine and real travel experiences, which is why they adore looking to their community for reliable travel inspirations.

Not only that, but modern travellers are equally eager to share their gripping tales and real-life images of their travels on social media sites like TikTok, completing a creative cycle that in turn motivates countless others.

According to a study by Amp Agency, 84% of millennials and 73% of non-millennials are very likely to base their travel plans on vacation pictures, videos, or status updates of others.

TikTok emerges as the platform where the community is ready to express themselves and tell their stories through genuine, visual, and geo-tagged content that is simultaneously alluring and liberating in today's digital Sri Lanka. This is made possible by simple editing tools, native platform content, and creators who supply dynamic content.

The allure of a travel experience on TikTok is that personal, approachable, and motivating window through which tourists take a journey before deciding whether it's worthwhile--the journey before the journey.

The ease of using TikTok as a creative platform, where users can publish original posts with a wide variety of sound, effects, and other creative tools, further enhances this interplay of imagination and reality. Features like using popular music, hashtags, and filters let content creators reach a large audience.

The future of tourism in Sri Lanka

Famous for our culture, cuisine, and unforgettable natural beauty, Sri Lanka is surrounded by rivers, coasts, beaches, historical and religious sites, hills, forests, waterfalls, and botanical gardens. Sri Lanka is also home to many World Heritage sites such as the sacred cities of Anuradhapura and Kandy, ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya, the Sinharaja Forest Reserve and plenty more localities which are visited by numerous travellers every year.

Authentic content creators on TikTok are now taking to the platform to showcase their immersive experiences of these places--increasing their appeal to not only domestic travellers but also inbound tourists. Creators on TikTok are also exploring hidden gems, off the beaten path, and encouraging and influencing travellers to explore new territories. There are numerous instances of TikTok's success in generating interest in previously undiscovered locations, which resulted in a generous increase in tourist foot traffic.

These real-life stories have revived the desire for travel and fundamentally changed how destinations are marketed internationally. Travel and tourism marketers are increasingly taking advantage of the opportunity provided by this new generation of digital platforms.

Additionally, the platform provides a fantastic opportunity for travel destinations and hospitality brands to promote themselves in an authentic way. With 34 billion views, the hashtag #TikTokTravel is one of the most popular ones on the app. Using this hashtag for tourism and travel businesses is a great way to market locations or activities.

As the rate of travel and tourism picks up, TikTok offers brands an unbeatable chance to be at the top of travellers' wish lists and plans, to ignite more in-depth and meaningful travel conversations.

The most effective way to connect with the next generation of travel buyers is through platforms like TikTok. The ability of TikTok to influence and inspire Sri Lanka’s travel trends is thus an opportunity that could become a model for genuine and inclusive tourism in the years to come.

• TikTok expands its suite of creation tools as they continue to foster authentic and real-time connections
• TikTok Now is a daily photo and video experience for users to share their most authentic moments with the people who matter the most

As the home for creating engaging content and discovering new and exciting communities, today TikTok expands their suite of creation tools as they continue to foster authentic and spontaneous connections on the platform with TikTok Now.

Entertain and share your moments with those who matter

TikTok Now is the newest way to be entertained and connect with others on TikTok - a daily photo and video experience where users can share their most authentic moments with the people who matter the most. TikTok Now brings the authenticity of TikTok to a whole new creative experience that connects communities with those close to them.

Making possible deeper connections and fun entertainment in an easy-to-use format, TikTok Now invites users and their friends to capture what they're doing at the moment using their device's front and back camera. Users will receive a daily prompt to capture a 10-second video or a static photo to quickly and easily share what they're up to.

The platform is experimenting with TikTok Now over the coming weeks. TikTok Now can be accessed from both TikTok and the new TikTok Now app. In some countries, TikTok Now may be available within TikTok, downloadable as a new TikTok Now app, or available in both formats. TikTok will continue to enhance the user experience as they learn more about how the TikTok community embraces this new creative format.

Empowering you to stay in control of your TikTok experience

TikTok Now is designed with the safety and privacy of the community in mind. Creators are in control of deciding who can view or engage with their content. They can block others and choose which comments appear on their content. And if someone comes across behaviour they believe may violate the Community Guidelines, they can report it for review.

TikTok carefully considers the safety of its community, and continues to take further steps to help support the safety and well-being of teens in particular:

• If someone under the age of 16 creates an account to use the TikTok Now app, just like TikTok, their account will be private by default
• Those under the age of 18 will not be able to share their content to the Explore feed
• People aged between 13 and 15 will have commenting options limited to Friends only to help protect against unwanted interactions

Those 18 and over have additional sharing settings. In addition to sharing with mutual friends, they can opt to share their posts with the broader TikTok Now community based on the privacy settings they have chosen.  The default setting is 'Friends can view'. To change the privacy settings for TikTok Now*:

• On the Post screen, tap Friends can view.
• Choose who you'd like to allow to view your TikTok Now posts.
• Friends can view: Anyone who follows you, and you follow back can view your TikTok Now.
• Everyone: Anyone in your area can view your TikTok Now posts. Keep in mind, people that don't follow you or you don't follow back can't comment or interact with your TikTok Now posts.

TikTok is always looking to create seamless ways for their community to build authentic connections as they continue to be entertained on TikTok. TikTok Now is rolling out to people worldwide over the coming weeks. TikTok is excited to learn from their community and continue to improve, enrich, and expand on the TikTok experience.

Discover TikTok and join the community by simply downloading the app for free via the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon.

• Pre-set prompts controlled by TikTok users will remind them to take a break after a certain amount of uninterrupted screen time, with a new dashboard providing summaries of their daily time spent on the platform
• New tools are part of TikTok’s efforts to nurture its growing diverse global community and create an environment where its users can remain in full control of their customised experience

TikTok is preparing to launch two new practical tools as a part of its digital wellbeing mission to make it easier for its growing community of users to manage the time they spend on the entertainment platform. The new tools will enable users to have regular screen time breaks, allowing them to remain in full control of their TikTok experience.

A new screen time dashboard will give TikTok’s creative community data on how much time they are spending on the platform, including summaries on daily usage and the number of times they opened the app. Users can also opt for weekly notifications to review their dashboard and monitor the time spent in a single sitting. These prompts will remind TikTok users to take a break after a certain amount of uninterrupted screen time, which they can set as per their choice and convenience.

TikTok will also introduce weekly digital well-being prompts for younger users. When users aged between 13 and 17 spend more than 100 minutes on the app in a single day, he or she will get a reminder from TikTok about using the screen time limit tool the next time they open the app.

TikTok is focused on delivering digital experiences that bring joy, entertainment and enrichment to its community. Part of this includes ensuring that the community has a positive relationship with their devices and allowing them to be more in control of their experiences. These new features are in line with TikTok’s goal to promote a safe and positive experience for all its users and ensure that the platform is equipped to offer the best possible viewing choices for the TikTok community.

By rolling out the new screen time management tools, the platform hopes to encourage its community to think about their digital habits. Accordingly, TikTok will publish a new guide, titled “How can I reflect on my digital well-being with my family and friends?” on the platform’s Safety Centre.

The new features will be launched in the coming weeks and will be available in 'Privacy and Settings', under the section Digital Wellbeing.