Dialog and IITM ink MoU to advance research and innovation in Sri Lanka

IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation CEO Dr. M.J. Shankar Jayaraman (third from left) and Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe (fifth from left) exchange the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha (fourth from left). From left: High Commission of India Counsellor (Economic and Commercial) Devika Lal, IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation Deputy Manager Aravindan Soundararajan, IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation CEO Dr. M.J. Shankar Jayaraman, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe and Dialog Axiata PLC Group Company Secretary Viranthi Attygalle

Dialog Axiata PLC said it has entered into a strategic partnership with Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) Pravartak Technologies Foundation, India, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at advancing applied research and technology development in Sri Lanka.

The agreement marks an important milestone in India-Sri Lanka cooperation, bringing together international expertise, and industry stakeholders to develop practical solutions to national and societal challenges. It also seeks to strengthen Sri Lanka’s research capabilities and create opportunities to translate new ideas into real-world applications.

Under the agreement, Dialog will serve as the collaboration anchor and technology enabler, connecting IITM Pravartak’s research networks with Sri Lankan industry stakeholders. The partnership will explore five key areas: innovation and incubation, applied research and university laboratories, artificial intelligence and human-centric solutions, industry skills and talent development, and international knowledge sharing.

Potential areas for initial collaboration include Sinhala and Tamil conversational AI, technology-driven dengue prevention and response, and solutions to address human-elephant conflict. These will be explored through focused research initiatives and pilot projects, with opportunities for further development based on their outcomes.

Commenting on the significance of the partnership, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha said: “India and Sri Lanka share a longstanding and multifaceted relationship, underpinned by strong historical ties and a shared commitment to progress. As our bilateral partnership continues to evolve, cooperation in technology and research presents significant opportunities to deepen engagement between our institutions and people. I welcome this initiative as another meaningful contribution to the growing partnership between our two countries.”

IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation CEO Dr. Shankar Jayaraman said: “This collaboration creates an opportunity to strengthen the connection between academic research and practical application. By working closely with Dialog, Sri Lankan universities and local stakeholders, we hope to foster an environment where researchers and students can exchange knowledge, build technical capabilities and develop solutions that respond to real-world needs. We look forward to a productive partnership that creates value for both the research community and industry.”

Dialog Axiata PLC Director/Group CEO Supun Weerasinghe said: “At Dialog, we believe the true value of technology lies in its ability to address real challenges and create meaningful opportunities for people and communities. Through this partnership, we aim to connect global expertise with Sri Lankan talent to develop solutions that can make a lasting difference. I would also like to express our sincere appreciation to His Excellency the High Commissioner and the team at the High Commission of India for their invaluable support in bringing this collaboration to fruition, as we continue our efforts to enrich and empower Sri Lankan lives and enterprises.”

The partnership will adopt a phased approach, beginning with selected pilot projects to evaluate their potential before exploring opportunities to scale, ensuring that each initiative is guided by clearly defined objectives and measurable outcomes.