Sri Lanka rising force in global digital innovation: Dr. Hans

■Says Sri Lanka's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), powered by APIs, enables innovation across payments, identity, data and interoperable services, encouraging public-private collaboration ■Notes country produces 36,000 STEM entrants annually, with 10,000 high-tech graduates already fuelling 950 startups and 100+ funded ventures, though ecosystem still remains underfunded ■Highlights robust digital laws and "soft law, innovation-permissive" approach to Al and digital regulation ■Notes 80:20 balance between Govt. enablement and private sector innovation expected to unlock $ 15 b in value

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CHIEF Adviser to the President on Digital Economy and Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) Chairman Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya yesterday presented Sri Lanka's digital economy blueprint and positioned the country as a rising force in the global digital innovation landscape.

Speaking at the Disrupt Asia 2025 forum, he said the country is staking its claim as a rising force in global digital innovation.

Dr. Wijayasuriya stressed that the foundation of Sri Lanka’s digital value proposition rests on three key pillars; a pool of globally competitive talent, a trust framework second to none in the region and a digital economy at the cusp of exponential growth. “All within a strategically located island economy connected to a regional market of over two billion people, this is your moment of confidence, welcome to Sri Lanka,” he said.