TLDR: Sri Lanka is set to launch its first-ever National AI Expo & Conference on September 29-30, 2025, in Colombo. This landmark event, organized by the Ministry of Digital Economy and SLT-MOBITEL, aims to position the nation as a leading AI hub in the Asia-Pacific region, accelerating AI adoption across all sectors and contributing significantly to the country’s digital economy growth.
Sri Lanka is gearing up to host its inaugural National AI Expo & Conference on September 29-30, 2025, at the Monarch Imperial in Colombo. This pioneering event marks a significant stride in the nation’s ambition to become a prominent Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub within the Asia-Pacific region.
The conference, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Digital Economy and SLT-MOBITEL, with support from SLASSCOM as the Ecosystem Partner and Huawei as the Official Technology Partner, is designed to accelerate AI adoption across all economic sectors. It directly supports Sri Lanka’s strategic vision to expand its digital economy from an estimated US$3.5 billion in 2025 to an ambitious US$15 billion by 2030, with AI projected to contribute 10-12% of this growth.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is expected to unveil key national initiatives during the event, including a comprehensive National AI Roadmap, a dedicated National AI Fund, and a Centre for AI Excellence. These initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to fostering an AI-driven future.
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, emphasized the importance of the event, stating, ‘The National AI Expo & Conference sets the foundation stone for Sri Lanka’s AI-powered future.’ He further reaffirmed the government’s dedication to transforming Sri Lanka into a digitally empowered nation where AI acts as a catalyst for innovation, economic growth, and an improved quality of life for all citizens.
The two-day flagship event will feature global technology leaders and showcase cutting-edge innovations. Notable speakers include Huawei’s Li Shi, who will discuss AI infrastructure and 5G integration, and Meta’s Sandya Devanathan and Kim-Leng Hoeu, who will delve into AI applications for social platforms and business transformation. The agenda will cover critical themes such as responsible AI governance, ethical considerations, implementation challenges, and sector-specific AI applications across banking, healthcare, education, agriculture, SMEs, manufacturing, transportation, e-commerce, insurance, hospitality, and environmental management.
Attendees can look forward to immersive AI experiences, including Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) demonstrations. A highlight of the expo will be the ‘Code Blast Hackathon Challenge 2025,’ powered by Mobitel, inviting young developers and tech enthusiasts to create real-world solutions. The event will also feature Presidential Awards recognizing excellence in AI innovation and provide extensive networking opportunities for academia, startups, corporates, and international investors.
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Following the main conference, Phase 2 of the initiative, scheduled from November 2025 to May 2026, will extend AI literacy and adoption into regional hubs across the island, including Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Kandy, and Matara, ensuring inclusive growth and digital transformation reaches every community.
