Sri Lanka is set to make history with the launch of its first-ever National AI Expo & Conference, scheduled for September 29–30, 2025, in a landmark initiative aimed at transforming the nation into a leading artificial intelligence hub in the Asia-Pacific region. The event marks the country’s most ambitious push to accelerate AI adoption across all economic sectors, directly supporting Sri Lanka’s goal of expanding its digital economy from US $3.5 billion in 2025 to US $15 billion by 2030—with AI expected to contribute 10–12% of this growth.
Organised through a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Digital Economy and SLT-MOBITEL, and supported by SLASSCOM as the Ecosystem Partner, the expo aligns with the national vision of creating an inclusive, AI-driven economy. Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne called the initiative a “foundation stone for Sri Lanka’s AI-powered future,” reaffirming the government’s commitment to leveraging AI for innovation, economic growth, and enhanced quality of life.
The two-day flagship event, powered by SLT-MOBITEL, will feature global technology leaders, cutting-edge innovations, and sector-specific AI applications. Themes will include responsible AI governance, trust and ethics, implementation challenges, and AI solutions in banking, healthcare, education, agriculture, SMEs, and more. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will unveil the National AI Roadmap, along with a National AI Fund and a Centre for AI Excellence.
Notable speakers will include Huawei’s Li Shi on AI infrastructure and 5G integration, and Meta’s Sandya Devanathan and Kim-Leng Hoeu on AI applications for social platforms and business transformation. The event will also address localisation challenges, from language processing and cultural adaptation to bridging generational AI literacy gaps, and will showcase AI applications in citizen services, SME scaling, and startups.
Phase 2, running from November 2025 to May 2026, will expand AI literacy and adoption into regional hubs including Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Kandy, and Matara, ensuring no community is left behind. The conference will host Presidential Awards celebrating AI innovation and provide extensive networking opportunities for academia, startups, corporates, and international investors—positioning Sri Lanka as a competitive regional AI powerhouse.
