Sri Lanka is preparing to make history with its first National AI Expo & Conference, scheduled for 29–30 September 2025, where the country’s comprehensive national AI roadmap will be officially unveiled. This groundbreaking initiative aims to position Sri Lanka as a leading artificial intelligence hub in the Asia-Pacific region, driving innovation across every sector of the economy.
The event is a tri-party collaboration between the Ministry of Digital Economy, ICTA Sri Lanka, and SLT-MOBITEL, with SLASSCOM as the Ecosystem Partner. Together, these organizations are uniting under a shared vision — expanding Sri Lanka’s digital economy from US$3.5 billion in 2025 to US$15 billion by 2030, with AI projected to contribute up to 12% of this growth.
A National Milestone in AI Innovation
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eng. Eranga Weeraratne described the event as “the foundation stone for Sri Lanka’s AI-powered future”, reaffirming the government’s commitment to creating a digitally empowered nation where AI enhances innovation, economic progress, and quality of life for all.
The two-day flagship event, powered by SLT-MOBITEL, will feature:
- Keynotes by global tech leaders including Huawei’s Li Shi and Meta’s Sandya Devanathan.
- Hands-on workshops for professionals, students, and entrepreneurs.
- Live demonstrations of AI applications in critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, finance, education, and manufacturing.
- Exhibitions showcasing cutting-edge AI products and solutions from around the world.
Highlighting Responsible and Inclusive AI
The conference will focus on responsible AI governance, ethics, localization challenges (including language processing and cultural adaptation), and skills development to ensure AI adoption benefits every community. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will officiate the event and launch both a National AI Fund and a Centre for AI Excellence.
In addition to the Colombo event, Phase 2 (Nov 2025 – May 2026) will extend AI literacy and innovation programs to Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Kandy, and Matara, ensuring no region is left behind in the digital transformation.
A Boost for Businesses & Startups
The Expo will also support SMEs and startups, offering them direct access to global AI expertise, potential investors, and practical solutions to scale operations. The Presidential Awards for AI Innovation will recognize outstanding contributions, inspiring local talent to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
From agriculture and environmental management to e-commerce, hospitality, and public safety, the National AI Expo is set to be the largest gathering of AI thought leaders in Sri Lanka’s history — a launchpad for the nation’s transformation into a competitive regional AI powerhouse.
For more details, visit AIEXPO.LK.
