Hexaware Technologies is deepening its footprint in Sri Lanka, positioning the country as a hub for next-generation talent and solutions in emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. In an interview with Echelon, Hariharan Padmanaban, Country Head – Sri Lanka, explained how the company’s investment reflects both confidence in the local market and a broader global strategy.
Hexaware, a $1.4 billion IT services company with over 31,000 employees across 28 countries, entered Sri Lanka a year ago with a deliberate, small-scale approach. The Colombo team currently numbers around 30, focusing on learning market dynamics before scaling. According to Padmanaban, the nation’s young, tech-savvy workforce represents a key opportunity, though mid-career professionals will need structured support to adapt to AI-enabled workflows.
The company’s talent strategy has two tracks: early-career development through its Mavericks programme, which works with universities on fundamentals and workplace readiness, and mid-career reskilling programmes designed to modernize skills for those with up to a decade of experience. Together with experienced hires anchoring delivery, Hexaware aims to build a balanced ecosystem of local and global exposure.
Culturally, Hexaware differentiates itself through a clear focus on embedding AI into real workstreams, offering faster, more efficient, and cost-effective solutions for clients. The company emphasizes project-based adoption, governance, and outcome-driven measurement to ensure teams see the practical benefits of new technologies.
Padmanaban noted that Sri Lanka is well-placed to leapfrog into the digital economy by aligning policy, education, and industry around AI adoption, modern data foundations, cybersecurity, and industry–academia collaboration. He believes Sri Lanka can stand out as a global services hub if it combines its talent base with exposure to international projects.
Looking ahead, Hexaware plans to scale significantly, with an ambitious target to grow revenues from $1.4 billion to as much as $5 billion over the next five years. For Sri Lanka, this investment represents not just commercial growth but also a chance to nurture global careers and strengthen the country’s role in the international technology services ecosystem.
