Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Sri Lanka Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Summit 2025 commenced yesterday, bringing together global leaders, academics, innovators, and government officials to discuss and strategize for the nation’s digital transformation. The two-day event, a partnership between the Digital Economy Ministry, the UNDP, and the ADB, aims to accelerate the adoption and implementation of DPI, recognizing its crucial role in driving economic growth and social inclusion.
A key highlight of the summit will be the unveiling of the government’s digital transformation vision, aligned with DPI adoption. The summit is particularly timely given the recent adoption of the Global Digital Compact, which emphasizes DPI’s potential for innovation and crisis management.
Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne emphasized the government’s commitment to digital transformation, stating, “DPI is not just a buzzword – we understand its value and that it will serve as the backbone for any digital transformation efforts we embark on.” He outlined the ambitious goal of achieving a $15 billion digital economy by 2030 and stressed the importance of public-private partnerships and cross-sector collaboration in building a secure and reliable DPI infrastructure. Weeraratne also highlighted the focus on digital equity, aiming to build trust and encourage wider adoption of digital systems, especially in rural and marginalized communities.
Aadhaar Founder CTO Srikanth Nadhamuni lauded Sri Lanka’s efforts in digitalization, drawing parallels with India’s success with Aadhaar and UPI. He emphasized DPI’s role in social and financial inclusion, particularly for SMEs, by reducing operational costs and improving accessibility.
Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Adviser to the President on Digital Economy, echoed the importance of bridging the digital divide and building a robust digital economy. He outlined key objectives, including strengthening public service efficiency, integrating AI and robotics, boosting digital exports to $5 billion, and expanding the digital workforce to over 200,000. Dr. Wijayasuriya also highlighted the goal of reducing transaction costs through streamlined processes.
The summit features interactive panel discussions and workshops focusing on DPI applications across various sectors, including tax and revenue, transport, tourism, civil registration, and legal identity. With over 350 delegates in attendance, the DPI Summit 2025 serves as a crucial platform for collaboration and shaping Sri Lanka’s digital future.
The summit is facilitated by Citra Lab, with knowledge partners including the Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI), Deloitte, and Vital Strategies. Industry partners include SLASSCOM, FITIS, and CSSL, with Huawei as the strategic event partner.