FINANCIAL CHRONICLE — Sri Lanka is set to host its second national conference and exhibition focused on artificial intelligence, titled ‘Sri Lanka AI Week 2026’, from September 28 to October 4. This initiative aims to facilitate the nation’s shift towards a digital economy valued at 15 billion dollars, as stated by officials.
The event is organized by the Ministry of Digital Economy in collaboration with the state-owned telecommunications company SLT-Mobitel and will revolve around the theme “AI Amplified”. This year’s focus represents a departure from the first event held in 2025, as it transitions from merely raising awareness about technology to promoting the implementation of artificial intelligence across vital sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and finance.
During the launch, officials introduced a national strategy designed to elevate Sri Lanka’s digital economy from 3 billion dollars to 15 billion dollars by the year 2030, with projections indicating that artificial intelligence could contribute 10 percent, or 1.5 billion dollars, of this growth.
The upcoming AI Week will feature a national conference, an expo showcasing over 50 startups, and the national AI awards. Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne emphasized the need for Sri Lanka to decide whether it wants to remain a mere consumer of cutting-edge technologies or aspire to become a selective producer while still leveraging essential global services.
Weeraratne pointed out that the IT and business process management (IT/BPM) sector aims for a revenue target of 5 billion dollars, which necessitates local firms to incorporate AI research and development while fostering innovation through startups. He expressed hope that AI Week would unite policymakers, academics, and international experts to develop a competitive strategy for Sri Lanka in the global arena.
Officials also underscored the importance of ensuring that technological advancements benefit rural communities throughout the country. Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy, remarked that the aim of AI and its applications should extend beyond corporate boardrooms to encompass every farmer, fisherman, villager, and citizen.
Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy and Chairman of GovTech, stated that events like this are crucial for engaging all sectors and communicating in ways that resonate with various audiences, which is essential for advancing the nation’s AI-First vision. He mentioned that the future of national digital expansion hinges on adopting an “X-First” policy, evolving from digital-first and mobile-first approaches to an “AI-First” mindset.
Structured interactions throughout AI Week will aim to simplify new technologies and encourage safe adoption of automated platforms by citizens, public institutions, and businesses, he noted. This year’s event will spotlight global advancements in computing power, regulatory environments, and enterprise adoption.
Motilal De Silva, Chairman of SLT Group, stated that the focus has shifted from mere pursuit to amplification of AI initiatives. The inaugural 2025 expo attracted over 10,000 attendees, featured 50 global speakers, 30 exhibitors, and facilitated more than 100 business-to-business meetings.
During the event, SLT-Mobitel will unveil the SLT AI Hub, designed to consolidate AI models for local developers, and has committed to providing nationwide fiber connectivity to all secondary schools in Sri Lanka by the end of 2026.
CEO of Mobitel, Riyaaz Rasheed, remarked that Sri Lanka AI Week serves as a platform to realize the nation’s ambitions in the digital economy, enabling a rapid advancement from developmental stages to achieving desired outcomes in a short timeframe. He also announced that alongside AI Week, SLT-Mobitel will launch ‘Smart AI’, Sri Lanka’s inaugural AI tokenization platform, which will enable local students, creators, and businesses to purchase computing credits easily through telecom services without the complications of international payments.
