SLEIS 2026 will feature Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya as keynote speaker at a special session examining how artificial intelligence, digital transformation and innovation can shape Sri Lanka’s economic future.
SLEIS 2026 session to examine AI, innovation, education and digital transformation
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at a special Day 2 session of the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit (SLEIS) 2026, organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
Titled “Nation Building in the Digital Age”, the session will take place on 13 October 2026 at the Shangri-La Colombo and will focus on the role of technology in strengthening economic growth, productivity and Sri Lanka’s transition towards a knowledge-driven economy.
The discussion comes as artificial intelligence, automation and digital technologies increasingly reshape industries and change the nature of work. For Sri Lanka, the session is expected to examine how the country can develop the skills, infrastructure and policy environment required to remain competitive as technological change accelerates.
The Prime Minister will be joined by Digital Economy Ministry Secretary Waruna Sri Dhanapala, University of Peradeniya Senior Lecturer in Computer Engineering Prof. Roshan Ragel and Elevante AI Founder and CEO Sanjay Shah. Their participation will bring together perspectives from government, academia and the technology industry.
The session will be moderated by Hirdaramani Group Chairman and The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Deputy Vice Chairperson Vinod Hirdaramani, providing a business perspective to the discussion on technology-led economic development.
A major focus will be the opportunities created by emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and automation. The panel will consider how these technologies could transform existing industries while creating new areas of economic activity, entrepreneurship and investment.
For Sri Lanka, the development of a stronger digital economy could have implications well beyond the technology sector. Digital tools can support productivity across industries, improve access to services and enable businesses to reach customers and markets more efficiently. The session is therefore expected to examine digitalisation as a broader component of economic development rather than simply a technology-sector issue.
Public-sector digitalisation will also form part of the discussion, with attention on how technology can improve the delivery and efficiency of public services. Better digital systems have the potential to reduce administrative barriers, improve accessibility and create a more efficient environment for citizens and businesses.
Education and skills development are expected to be another central theme. As demand for technology-related capabilities grows, Sri Lanka faces the challenge of preparing its workforce for jobs that are being reshaped by automation and artificial intelligence.
The panel will consider how education systems can respond to these changes while creating pathways for workers and young people to develop relevant skills. Strengthening links between education institutions, industry and government could become increasingly important as businesses seek talent capable of working with emerging technologies.
The discussion will also recognise that technology alone cannot create a successful digital economy. Effective policy, investment, digital infrastructure and human capital will all be necessary to convert technological advances into sustainable economic opportunities.
Collaboration between government, businesses and academic institutions will therefore be an important element of the conversation. Such cooperation can help align education and skills programmes with industry requirements while supporting research, innovation and the development of technology-led businesses.
The focus on digital transformation at SLEIS 2026 also reflects the wider economic questions facing Sri Lanka as it seeks to strengthen competitiveness and build new sources of growth. A technology-enabled economy could create opportunities for higher-value services, innovation-driven businesses and greater integration with global markets.
SLEIS 2026 will be held under the theme “Positioning Sri Lanka in a Changing Global Economy: Resilience, Reform, and the Future of Economic Policy.” The two-day summit will bring together senior policymakers, business leaders, investors and international experts to discuss Sri Lanka’s economic direction, investment opportunities and the reforms required to support future growth.
Against that broader backdrop, the “Nation Building in the Digital Age” session is expected to place technology, skills and innovation at the centre of the conversation about Sri Lanka’s next phase of economic development. The discussions could provide insight into how effectively the country can translate rapid technological change into productivity gains, new investment and opportunities for future generations.