Sri Lanka: 75% Ready for a Digital-Driven Future

Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy and Chairman, Information and Communication Technology Agency highlighted that Sri Lanka has 75% of the necessary skills in place to build a robust digital economy. Yet, to fully unlock its potential, the country must bridge the remaining gap and elevate its digital competitiveness to the upper first quartile within the next three years.

Speaking at the Ignite Growth Forum by the Advocata Institute, Dr. Wijayasuriya laid out a roadmap for this transformation:

Recalibrating Our Approach: Accelerating the adoption of new ways of working.
Strengthening Institutional Frameworks: Establishing strong apex bodies and execution units to drive digital initiatives.
Updating Legislation: Aligning key acts, such as the Data Protection Act and the Electronic Transactions Act, with evolving digital needs.
Developing Comprehensive Standards: From API rules to cybersecurity, ensuring robust digital service delivery.
Data Governance & AI Strategy: Building a national data exchange while safeguarding privacy and exploring energy solutions for AI-powered innovation. 

Drawing inspiration from Singapore’s energy strategies for data centers, Dr. Wijayasuriya stressed the importance of creative, collaborative solutions for advancing Sri Lanka’s digital landscape.

With focused effort from all stakeholders, Sri Lanka has the potential to leap into a new era of economic growth and global competitiveness. The foundation is strong—let’s take it to the next level.