Sri Lanka Takes a Bold Step into the Future with National Al Expo & Conference 2025

The National Al Expo & Conference 2025 opened on 29th September 2025 at the Monarch Imperial with an atmosphere charged with excitement and possibility, marking one of Sri Lanka's most significant moves toward a tech-powered future.

Organized by the Ministry of Digital Economy and SLT-Mobitel, the event brought together educators, industry leaders, innovators, and students from across the country, all united by a common goal to unlock the potential of artificial intelligence for national progress.

     

The Expo was inaugurated by Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasooriya, whose presence underscored a powerful message that Sri Lanka's digital transformation will be driven in alignment with education. She was joined by Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Hon. Sunil Handuneththi, Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Sunil Gamage, Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasooriya, Foreign ambassadors and senior government representatives, further reinforcing Al as a national priority.

A landmark announcement that drew resounding applause revealed that every Sri Lankan student will soon receive free access to Google's Al platforms and tools, including Google Gemini.

In a landmark address at the National Al Expo, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne positioned Artificial Intelligence as a foundational technology poised to reshape Sri Lanka. He outlined a vision of Al delivering tangible benefits across key sectors, from enhancing medical diagnostics in rural clinics to creating hyper-personalized experiences for tourists. Weeraratne stressed that this is a pivotal moment for the nation's tech industry to evolve into global innovators, using Al to solve real-world problems and drive nationwide progress.

Weeraratne detailed the government's four-pillar strategy, which balances progress through workforce development, innovation, and inclusivity, with robust safeguards like a national ethical framework and a new National Cyber Security Operation Centre. The address culminated in a major announcement: a new partnership with Google. Beginning in mid-October, this initiative will provide Sri Lankan students with free access to advanced Al tools, a move Weeraratne described as a "game-changer" for leveling the global playing field and ensuring the nation's next generation masters the Al era.

To ensure the benefits extend beyond Colombo, the government also announced plans to establish regional Al hubs to make Al learning and innovation accessible to students across the island. Over 4,100 participants, including 450 school children, attended the two-day exhibition, reflecting the growing national interest and engagement in Al and digital innovation.

Throughout the Expo, participants engaged in interactive workshops, live demonstrations, expert discussions, and panel sessions exploring Al's role across key sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and finance. More than a showcase, the event served as a platform for new ideas, collaboration, and inspiration.

As the day concluded, one message stood out clearly: Sri Lanka is no longer only aspiring to embrace the future; it is actively shaping it. With students at the heart of this vision, the National Al Expo & Conference 2025 may be remembered as the moment the nation moved decisively from aspiration to action. The event marked not just access to cutting-edge technology, but also a call to innovate, lead, and create. For thousands of students across the country, the doors to an Al-enabled future have now been opened.