Sri Lanka AI Week 2026 will bring together government leaders, technology companies, academics and innovators from September 28 to October 4 as the country accelerates its strategy to build a digital economy worth US$15 billion by 2030 through the expanded adoption of artificial intelligence.
Sri Lanka AI Week 2026 supports the nation’s ambition for a $15 billion digital economy by 2030
Organised by the Ministry of Digital Economy in partnership with SLT-Mobitel under the theme “AI Amplified,” the week-long national conference and exhibition marks the country’s second dedicated artificial intelligence event. Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2025, this year’s programme shifts its focus from raising awareness of AI to scaling practical applications across key sectors including healthcare, agriculture, education and finance.
Officials unveiled a national roadmap aimed at increasing Sri Lanka’s digital economy from its current estimated value of US$3 billion to US$15 billion by the end of the decade. Artificial intelligence is expected to contribute around 10 percent, or US$1.5 billion, to that target, highlighting the technology’s growing importance in the country’s future economic development.
The event will feature a national AI conference, an AI expo showcasing more than 50 startups, and the National AI Awards, providing a platform for innovators, businesses and policymakers to collaborate on advancing Sri Lanka’s AI ecosystem.
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne said Sri Lanka must determine whether it will remain a consumer of emerging technologies or develop the capability to become a selective producer through innovation and research.
He noted that the country’s IT industry is targeting US$5 billion in export revenue, but achieving that milestone will require greater investment in artificial intelligence research and development, stronger startup ecosystems and wider technology adoption by local enterprises.
According to Weeraratne, Sri Lanka AI Week 2026 will also bring together policymakers, academics and international experts to help identify competitive opportunities for the country in the rapidly evolving global AI landscape.
Government officials stressed that AI adoption should extend beyond large corporations and urban centres to benefit communities across the island.
Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy Waruna Sri Dhanapala said artificial intelligence should support every segment of society, including farmers, fishermen, students and small businesses, ensuring that digital transformation delivers broad-based economic and social benefits.
Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy and GovTech Chairman Hans Wijayasuriya said Sri Lanka is moving beyond digital-first and mobile-first strategies toward an “AI-First” national vision. He noted that structured engagement during Sri Lanka AI Week 2026 would help public institutions, businesses and citizens better understand emerging technologies while promoting their responsible adoption.
Global developments in computing power, regulatory frameworks and enterprise AI adoption will also feature prominently throughout the week, offering local organisations valuable insights into international best practices.
SLT Group Chairman Motilal De Silva said the country’s AI journey has progressed from exploration to practical implementation. He noted that the inaugural AI Week in 2025 attracted more than 10,000 visitors, featured 50 international speakers, hosted 30 exhibitors and facilitated over 100 business-to-business meetings, demonstrating growing interest in artificial intelligence across Sri Lanka.
As part of this year’s event, SLT-Mobitel will introduce the SLT AI Hub, designed to provide local developers with access to multiple AI models while supporting innovation across the country’s technology sector. The telecommunications provider also reaffirmed its commitment to connecting every secondary school in Sri Lanka through nationwide fibre connectivity by the end of 2026.
Mobitel CEO Riyaaz Rasheed said Sri Lanka AI Week 2026 represents a national platform to accelerate digital transformation and help Sri Lanka achieve its economic ambitions. He also announced the rollout of “Smart AI,” described as Sri Lanka’s first AI tokenisation platform, enabling students, creators and businesses to purchase AI computing credits through telecom services without relying on international payment systems.
The event is expected to reinforce Sri Lanka’s ambition to become a competitive regional technology hub while strengthening collaboration between government, industry and academia to accelerate innovation and sustainable economic growth.