TLDR: Sri Lanka is set to host its inaugural National AI Expo and Conference from September 29-30, 2025, in Colombo. This pioneering event aims to position the island nation as a prominent AI hub in the Asia-Pacific, accelerating artificial intelligence adoption across all economic sectors and contributing significantly to the country’s digital economy growth.
Sri Lanka is poised to make a significant leap in its technological advancement by hosting its first-ever National AI Expo and Conference on September 29-30, 2025, in Colombo. This landmark event, a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) Sri Lanka, and SLT-MOBITEL, with SLASSCOM as the Ecosystem Partner, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s digital transformation journey.
The initiative is designed to position Sri Lanka as a leading artificial intelligence hub within the Asia-Pacific region, fostering widespread AI adoption across various economic sectors. This aligns seamlessly with the government’s ambitious goal of expanding the digital economy from an estimated US$3.5 billion in 2025 to a robust US$15 billion by 2030, with AI projected to contribute a substantial 10-12% of this growth.
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, emphasized the conference’s importance, stating it will ‘set the foundation stone for Sri Lanka’s AI-powered future.’ He further noted, ‘The programme reaffirms the Government’s commitment to transforming Sri Lanka into a digitally empowered nation where artificial intelligence functions as a catalyst for innovation, economic growth, and improved quality of life for all citizens. In embracing AI, we are systematically developing Sri Lanka to lead the region in responsible AI adoption and implementation.’ Dr. Mothilal De Silva, Chairman, SLT-MOBITEL, highlighted that the two-day event, powered by SLT-MOBITEL, will ‘bring cutting-edge global technology to local industries, offering businesses, professionals, and the public unprecedented access to AI innovations shaping Sri Lanka’s technological future.’
The conference agenda is comprehensive, addressing critical themes such as responsible AI governance, trust and ethics, implementation challenges, and sector-specific applications across banking and financial services, healthcare, education, agriculture, and small and medium enterprises. The event will feature global technology leaders, including representatives from Huawei and Meta, sharing insights and expertise.
During the expo, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is expected to unveil Sri Lanka’s comprehensive AI roadmap, a National AI Fund, and a Centre for AI Excellence, underscoring the government’s commitment to fostering an AI-driven ecosystem. The event will also celebrate Sri Lankan ingenuity through Presidential Awards recognizing excellence in AI innovation.
Beyond the main conference, extensive networking opportunities will facilitate collaboration among academia, startups, leading companies, local innovators, and international investors, aiming to create a vibrant ecosystem for collective success. Furthermore, September 2025 will be declared ‘Digital Month’ in Sri Lanka, with the AI Expo serving as a global signal of the nation’s intent to lead in AI adoption.
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To ensure inclusive growth, Phase 2 of this initiative, scheduled from November 2025 to May 2026, will expand into regional hubs including Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Kandy, and Matara. This strategic expansion aims to extend AI literacy and adoption to every corner of the island, ensuring no community is left behind in Sri Lanka’s digital transformation. While India has achieved a 57% national AI adoption rate and Singapore utilizes AI in over 90% of its government services, Sri Lanka is now actively working to bridge this gap and establish itself as a regional AI powerhouse.
