Battaramulla – Sri Lanka inaugurated its first National AI Expo 2025, a milestone event highlighting the country’s vision of entering the digital era through education reform, workforce development, and AI adoption. The two-day exhibition and conference, jointly organized by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, is being held on September 29–30.
At the opening, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that the foundation for realizing Sri Lanka’s digital vision is building human resources compatible with modern technologies. She noted that ongoing educational reforms are introducing AI, robotics, and climatology into the curriculum, supported by the training of 100,000 teachers and the rollout of smart classrooms.
The Prime Minister outlined ambitious targets:
- Expand the digital economy to USD 15 billion, accounting for 12% of GDP by 2030.
- Increase digital exports by USD 5 billion.
- Build a professional digital workforce of 200,000 people.
She declared September as “Digital Economy Month”, aiming to raise public awareness through exhibitions and training programs across the island.
Key initiatives highlighted include:
- Expansion of GovPay for online traffic fine payments.
- Introduction of the national AI platform aigov.lk to support new product sectors.
- Strengthening cybersecurity through a national strategy and operations center.
Dr. Amarasuriya stressed that AI is no longer just a tool but an influence on decision-making, and Sri Lanka must harness it for inclusive growth. By investing in digital skills, e-services, and secure digital platforms, the country seeks to establish itself as a South Asian hub for digital services, attract foreign investment, and empower entrepreneurs and SMEs.
