Friday May 15, 2026
Friday May 15, 2026
Friday, 15 May 2026 06:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka’s young innovators were thrust into the spotlight this week as the “Hult Prize Sri Lanka Nationals 2025/2026” national finals concluded in Colombo, with the Government pledging stronger backing for youth entrepreneurship and digital innovation as part of its broader economic transformation agenda.
Held on 10 May at the Commercial Credit Training Academy in Colombo and hosted locally by APIIT, the competition brought together university students from across the country, showcasing business ideas aimed at solving real-world social and economic challenges while earning a pathway to compete on the global stage.
Addressing the event as Chief Guest, Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne said the responsibility of shaping Sri Lanka’s future digital economy rests heavily on the next generation of entrepreneurs, stressing that innovation must be inclusive, practical, and socially responsible.
He urged students to build digital solutions targeting small and medium enterprises, rural communities, and persons with disabilities, noting that technology-driven entrepreneurship would play a vital role in expanding economic opportunity beyond urban centers.
Weeraratne also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening digital infrastructure and innovation ecosystems to create a more supportive environment for startups and emerging businesses, encouraging participants to transform ideas into scalable ventures capable of addressing pressing national challenges.
Organisers said the national finals marked a significant milestone for Sri Lanka’s participation in one of the world’s largest student entrepreneurship platforms, providing local talent with global exposure while reinforcing the country’s ambitions to build a knowledge-driven and innovation-led economy.
The event was also attended by Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, alongside representatives from the Hult Prize Foundation including Senior Director Hamdi Ben El Elmi, Regional Manager Supriya Jagre, APIIT Chairman Bandula Egodage, Hult Prize National Director Thawiru Hettiarachchi and heads of APIIT Business School.
