TLDR: Sri Lanka is embarking on an ambitious artificial intelligence (AI) strategy with the goal of increasing its digital economy’s contribution to GDP from the current 3-5 percent to 15 percent within the next five years. This ‘AI-first’ approach is seen as a critical element for national growth and competitive advantage.
Sri Lanka is setting its sights on a significant economic transformation, driven by an ambitious artificial intelligence (AI) strategy. The nation aims to achieve a five-fold growth in its digital economy over the next five years, elevating its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from an estimated 3-5 percent to a substantial 15 percent. This bold vision was articulated by Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, during a panel discussion titled ‘Artificial Intelligence AI: Friend or Foe?‘ organized by The Sunday Times Business Club on July 27, 2025. The event was sponsored by Shangri-La and NDB Bank.
Dr. Wijayasuriya emphasized that AI is not merely a technological advancement but an essential element at the epicenter of the country’s growth strategy, poised to immensely impact its competitive advantage. He highlighted Sri Lanka’s phenomenal talent base, particularly in linguistics, which he noted surpasses most nations, providing a strong foundation for AI development. However, he stressed the importance of overcoming handicaps associated with AI to ensure its benefits cater to all segments of society, not just a select few.
One of the flagship projects in this AI-first approach is the complete automation of the Government Information Centre (GIC). Currently voice-driven, the GIC will leverage AI to deliver instant information to citizens on any topic related to government interactions. Dr. Wijayasuriya assured that this initial application is designed to be safe and will not impact personal data, utilizing secure data sources. Following this, AI will be applied to ‘agentic services,’ where government agents perform repetitive procedures.
Beyond these initial applications, the strategy envisions the eventual application of AI to personal data. Dr. Wijayasuriya underscored the transformative potential of AI when harnessed responsibly and with appropriate guardrails that prioritize inclusion. He stated that AI has the capacity to deliver profound outcomes for digital economy acceleration and public service delivery. The initiative also involves leveraging advanced technologies such as satellite data, drone data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing to further drive economic development. The digital economy blueprint integrates AI across all layers of its infrastructure, encompassing both horizontal systems like digital public services and soft infrastructures that include government and private sector operations.
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While acknowledging that AI can be a ‘double-edged sword,’ Dr. Wijayasuriya’s remarks reflect a strong commitment to an ‘AI-first’ approach, aiming to position Sri Lanka as a leader in the digital economy. The formation of an advisory committee on AI and the development of a national AI policy are also key components of this strategy, designed to guide its implementation, regulation, and ensure citizen protections.
