National AI Expo 2025 launchpad for inclusive, globally competitive digital economy

• Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne calls for investors to partner with local innovators 
• Reveals plans to launch dedicated startup funding program in January 2026 and dedicated Defence Cybersecurity Operations Centre

Digital Economy Deputy Minister  Eng. Eranga Weeraratne

Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne yesterday unveiled Sri Lanka’s ambitious AI vision at the first-ever National AI Expo and Conference 2025, urging private sector investors to partner with local innovators to build a globally competitive digital economy. 

Speaking at the two-day conference spearheaded by the Digital Economy Ministry in collaboration with SLT-Mobitel, he said the event is being positioned not merely as a showcase, but as a launchpad, ushering in what the Government hopes will be a smarter, more ethical, inclusive and secure change. 

“We are not just here to showcase technology, but to mark the beginning of a new chapter,” Eng. Weeraratne said. 

Calling on the private sector and investors, he emphasised the economic potential of AI. “The future of your industries is sitting right here in this room. Partner with these bright minds, invest in their ideas, and let’s create a globally competitive AI industry together, right here in Sri Lanka,” he added.

To ensure this transformation, the Deputy Minister outlined a four-pillar national strategy; building human capital, fostering innovation ecosystems, ensuring inclusivity, and promoting safe and ethical AI use.

“Our biggest asset is our people. We will integrate digital literacy and data education into the national curriculum and launch large-scale skilling programs to create a future-ready workforce,” he stressed.

He revealed that the Government will launch a dedicated startup funding program in January 2026 to back research and bold experimentation. 

“Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come from the boldest experiments. That is why we are going to launch a fund to encourage and invest in Sri Lankan startups. This is non-negotiable if we want to compete globally,” he asserted.

The Deputy Minister also outlined a national strategy to integrate the technology across industries, education, and everyday life, positioning Sri Lanka as a hub for globally competitive, people-centred digital transformation.

Inclusivity, he said, would be central to Sri Lanka’s AI journey. “No one gets left behind. This technology must work for the shop owner in Jaffna as much as for the CEO in Colombo. It must speak our languages and solve our local challenges,” he added.

Eng. Weeraratne also acknowledged the risks and challenges posed by AI. “We cannot ignore how AI can be used to spread disinformation, run sophisticated scams, or attack our infrastructure. That is why we have established a National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre and will soon launch a dedicated Defence Cybersecurity Operations Centre, both leveraging AI to protect our nation from such threats,” he said.

Addressing innovators, students, academics, industry leaders, policymakers, diplomats and investors, the Deputy Minister compared AI’s transformative impact to electricity. 

“The best way to understand AI is as the new electricity. Just like electricity revolutionised industry, AI is now becoming the foundation of technology, changing how we work, live, and grow,” he added.

Eng. Weeraratne painted a vivid picture of AI’s practical applications in Sri Lanka. 

“Imagine a doctor in a small clinic in Anuradhapura who can instantly access expert diagnosis from Colombo, or farmers receiving precise predictive data on weather and soil conditions to safeguard their crops,” he explained.

“For our globally renowned hospitality sector, AI could personalise visitor experiences; helping tourists avoid the midday heat, find hidden gems, or discover the best home-cooked rice and curry in a village restaurant. These are not futuristic fantasies. They are real, practical changes that will uplift our people,” he added.

His final message was directed at the youth. “Students, you are the next generation that will define this new era. Be curious, never stop learning and get ready to build futures we can all be proud of. With great tools come great responsibilities, use them wisely, ethically and for the benefit of all Sri Lankans and the world,” Eng. Weeraratne said. (CdeS)