Sri Lanka to host first-ever National AI Expo to drive $ 15 b digital economy

From left: Ministry of Digital Economy Secretary (Actg.) Waruna Sri Dhanapala, SLT Group Chairman Dr. Mothilal De Silva, Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, Digital Economy Chief Advisor to the President Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, and SLT Group CEO Janaka Abeysinghe – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara 

• President Anura Kumara Disanayake to unveil National AI roadmap, AI Fund and Centre for AI Excellence during conference 
• Expo jointly led by Digital Economy Ministry and SLT-Mobitel will cover key sector areas such as agriculture, healthcare, finance, education, manufacturing, e-commerce, insurance, hospitality, and environmental management
• Special focus on localisation challenges—language processing, cultural adaptation, and bridging generational gaps in AI literacy
• Phase 2 of conference will expand into regional hubs including Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Kandy and Matara
• Expo supports SMEs and MSMEs, featuring Presidential Awards recognising excellence in AI innovation

By Divya Thotawatte

In a bold move to position Sri Lanka as a regional leader in artificial intelligence and drive its transformation into a $ 15 billion digital economy by 2030, the country will host its first National AI Expo and Conference on 29 and 30 September. 

This landmark event, the country’s most ambitious AI initiative to date, aims to accelerate AI adoption across all economic sectors, aligning with Sri Lanka’s vision to expand its digital economy from an estimated $ 3.5 billion in 2025 to $ 15 billion by 2030. Artificial intelligence is projected to contribute 10-12% of this ambitious growth trajectory, positioning AI as a cornerstone in Sri Lanka’s economic transformation.

The Expo is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Digital Economy and SLT-Mobitel, with SLASSCOM serving as the Ecosystem Partner.

During the conference, President Anura Kumara Disanayake will unveil Sri Lanka’s comprehensive AI roadmap, alongside the unveiling of a National AI Fund and Centre for AI Excellence.

Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, said, “The National AI Expo and Conference sets the foundation stone for Sri Lanka’s AI-powered future. The program reaffirms the Government’s commitment to transforming Sri Lanka into a digitally empowered nation where artificial intelligence functions as a catalyst for innovation, economic growth, and improved quality of life for all citizens.” 

He stressed the urgency of embracing AI, noting that the technology was already transforming industries worldwide, Sri Lanka must accelerate its adoption to avoid falling behind regional peers like India and Singapore. He emphasised that therefore, the Expo marked a crucial turning point, bringing together global experts, industry leaders, and innovators to collaboratively shape Sri Lanka’s national AI roadmap. 

An impressive line-up of thought leaders from leading global technology companies will attend, including Huawei Middle East Head Li Shi who will speak on AI infrastructure solutions, telco cloud strategies, and 5G integration. Meta India and South-East Asia Vice President and Head Sandya Devanathan and Meta Global Network Agencies Agency Partner Kim-Leng Hoeu will demonstrate AI applications in social platforms and business transformation. 

Sessions will cover key sector areas such as agriculture, healthcare, finance, education, manufacturing, e-commerce, insurance, hospitality, and environmental management. Special focus will be given to localisation challenges such as language processing, cultural adaptation, and bridging generational gaps in AI literacy. 

The two-day conference will also feature exhibitions, keynotes, skills development, and hands-on workshops, positioning Sri Lanka as a competitive regional AI hub. 

Following the Colombo event, Phase 2 of the initiative, scheduled from November 2025 to May 2026, will expand into regional hubs including Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Kandy, and Matara, with the goal that AI literacy and adoption reach every corner of the island. The comprehensive approach highlights the government’s commitment to leaving no community behind in Sri Lanka’s digital transformation.

The National AI Expo also aims to support SMEs and MSMEs, showcasing technological solutions to uplift and enable a digitally literate lifestyle for all sectors of society. Through Presidential Awards recognising excellence in AI innovation, the event will celebrate Sri Lankan ingenuity and inspire continued advancement in artificial intelligence applications.

SLT Group Chairman Dr. Mothilal De Silva said, “SLT-MOBITEL as Sri Lanka’s National ICT Solutions Provider, recognises the immense potential of artificial intelligence and it becomes our responsibility to drive the country’s digital future. Through the National AI Expo and Conference, we are committed to ensuring every Sri Lankan, from all communities, has the opportunity to participate and benefit from the AI revolution.” 

He said that SLT-MOBITEL was already advancing AI integration across the country through innovations like Hello AI and AI Pazz, showcasing how smart technologies can improve everyday life and business outcomes. The National AI Expo and Conference will similarly serve as a platform to promote digital inclusion and build a prosperous, AI-powered future for all communities across Sri Lanka. 

During the conference, extensive networking opportunities will enable collaboration between academia, start-ups, leading companies, local innovators, and international investors, creating an ecosystem of collective success to drive Sri Lanka as a regional AI powerhouse.

Further information about the National AI Expo and Conference 2025 can be found at AIEXPO.LK.