Colombo – At the inaugural National AI Expo and Conference 2025, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya underscored the central role of artificial intelligence in Sri Lanka’s digital transformation, announcing that AI is projected to drive 10–12% of digital economy growth by 2030.
Organized by the Ministry of Digital Economy and SLT-Mobitel, the event is set to become a recurring fixture in the country’s technology calendar, highlighting the government’s push to accelerate digital adoption.
The Prime Minister reiterated the country’s ambitious but essential goals:
- Expanding the digital economy to USD 15 billion, equal to 12% of GDP by 2030.
- Boosting digital exports by USD 5 billion.
- Developing a skilled workforce of 200,000 professionals.
“Technology must have a human face. It has to be about people, which is why technology and education must go hand in hand,” she said, stressing that digital tools should improve daily life and expand opportunities.
Reflecting on her own skepticism toward technology, Amarasuriya noted: “Skeptics are also needed, because we insist on making sure that technology is used for human users, for human problems, and not just as a fad or fashion.”
The event reinforced Sri Lanka’s vision of pairing education reforms, AI adoption, and innovation-driven growth to establish itself as a leading digital services hub in South Asia.
