Pioneered by the Ministry of Digital Economy and SLT-MOBITEL, the two-day event brought together local and global leaders, innovators, policymakers, to chart an ambitious roadmap for Sri Lanka's AI-powered future.
Landmark conference addresses AI integration across all sectors
The conference explored AI’s role in Digital Economy, Education, Healthcare, Agriculture, and National Security.
Experts stressed human capital development, innovation ecosystems, ethical deployment, and inclusivity, highlighting the need to democratize technology, reform education for a future-ready workforce, and strengthen cybersecurity.
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Hon. Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka graced the occasion as chief guest and emphasized AI’s growing influence on decision-making, envisioning Sri Lanka as a leader in using technology to solve problems, create opportunities, and build a fairer society.
She stressed that critical thinking and scepticism are vital to keep innovation ethical and impactful and the importance of preparing a workforce capable of navigating modern technology, with a focus on integrating digital literacy and data education into the national curriculum.
Hon. Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy stressed AI’s importance and its overall contribution to the Digital Economy.
The Deputy Minister compared AI to electricity in its transformative power, calling on industry to invest in talent and ideas while ensuring equitable access that supports rural and urban communities, local languages, and Sri Lanka’s unique needs.
He also announced plans for a dedicated startup funding program beginning in January 2026 to support AI research and innovation.
Dr. Mothilal De Silva, Chairman of SLT Group, highlighted the pivotal role of telecommunications infrastructure in enabling AI, describing data networks as the ‘arteries carrying blood.’
He underscored SLT-MOBITEL’s commitment to advancing AI responsibly, ensuring data sovereignty, providing AI-as-a-service for all, and fostering broad stakeholder collaboration to build an inclusive, AI-enabled society.
Dr. De Silva also emphasised the importance of partnerships between government, industry, and academia to position Sri Lanka as a leader in the global AI landscape.
Exhibition showcase brings AI to life
Alongside the conference, a dynamic exhibition brought AI to life through demos, workshops, and hands-on experiences, drawing thousands of participants.
Huawei, as technology partner, showcased AI-powered cloud, smart city, healthcare, and education solutions, linking global innovations to local needs.
The event was further supported by Microsoft, AWS, EGUARDIAN, Tech One Global, WebAppClouds, Xencia, Aventude, Inflow Tech, Universal College Lanka, Clarity, NCINGA, Sri Lanka Insurance General, Connex IT, SLASSCOM, and FITIS.
A key highlight was the SLT-MOBITEL AI Campus, where students engaged in robotics, coding, and AI tools, receiving mentorship and guidance on courses and career paths while exploring real-world applications.
The exhibition also featured hackathons and innovation challenges, concluding with an Awards & Recognition Ceremony that honoured winners across categories.
The National AI Expo & Conference established a platform for collaboration among research institutions, enterprises, and students.
The Expo concluded with a renewed pledge to position Sri Lanka as a South Asian hub for digital services, fostering an ecosystem where tech entrepreneurs, SMEs, and multinational investors can thrive in a secure, innovation-driven economy.
Caption from left to right - Sunil Kumara Gamage, Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Handunneththi, Hon. Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya Hon. Prime Minister, Hon. Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Dr. Mothilal De Silva, Chairman of SLT Group, and Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Acting Secretary, Ministry of Digital Economy, at the opening of Sri Lanka’s first-ever National AI Expo & Conference 2025.