Digital Strategic Industries

Sri Lanka's economy is underpinned by a diverse range of industries that are integral to its growth and development. Among the most prominent sectors is the textile and apparel industry, which significantly contributes to the nation's economic framework. This sector provides extensive employment opportunities, generates substantial foreign exchange, and has positioned Sri Lanka as a trusted, ethical sourcing destination for international brands. The industry's commitment to sustainable fashion and eco-friendly production processes further bolsters its global reputation.

The tea industry is another cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s economy. As one of the world's leading exporters of tea, Sri Lanka is globally recognized for the superior quality and unique flavor of its Ceylon tea. The industry not only contributes to export revenues but also supports rural livelihoods and enhances the tourism sector through its iconic plantations, which attract visitors seeking scenic and cultural experiences.

Tourism plays a strategic role in the nation's economic landscape. With its rich cultural heritage, pristine beaches, wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes, Sri Lanka draws millions of visitors annually. The tourism sector generates significant revenue and creates employment across hospitality, transportation, and allied services. Government initiatives focused on sustainable tourism and infrastructure development have further amplified the sector’s growth potential.

A rapidly emerging sector is Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Management (BPM). Leveraging a highly educated workforce, competitive operational costs, and a favorable business environment, Sri Lanka is becoming a preferred destination for IT and BPM services. This sector spans software development, IT services, and knowledge process outsourcing, contributing meaningfully to export earnings and creating diverse employment opportunities.

Strategic Vision for Industry Development

The Strategic Industry Pillar aims to elevate key sectors—manufacturing, tourism, fisheries, and agriculture—into digitally mature, high-tech domains. By integrating advanced digital capabilities, the initiative seeks to enhance livelihoods for producers, offer budget-friendly, high-quality products to consumers, and unlock premium international markets for Sri Lankan goods.

Objectives

  • Transform manufacturing, tourism, fisheries, and agriculture into digitally advanced sectors.
  • Improve livelihoods for producers while ensuring affordable, quality products for consumers.
  • Leverage digital capabilities to access high-value global markets.

Key Activities

1. Tourism:

a. Develop a loyalty app ecosystem to enrich the experience of repeat tourists.

b. Use augmented reality (AR) to create immersive cultural and historical experiences, paired with locally produced merchandise, to boost in-country USD spending.

2. Fisheries:

a. Implement digital enablement initiatives, including telemetry and geo-location-based tracking for trawlers.

b. Introduce end-to-end traceability from catch to packaging to penetrate high-value export markets.

3. Manufacturing:

a. Collaborate with the Ministry of Industries to develop an Industry 4.0 maturity index for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

b. Promote digitalization by linking SMEs to low-interest credit schemes and incorporating them into the formal tax framework.

4. Agriculture:

a. Align and formalize ongoing projects by BMGF, IDAT, DSS, and GoviLab startups.

b. Introduce impactful, high-tech solutions to improve farmers’ lives and achieve demand-supply equilibrium.

c. Work toward achieving national food security.

These initiatives underscore Sri Lanka’s commitment to fostering a resilient and competitive economy by harnessing the transformative potential of digital technology across its strategic industries.

For more information, contact: digistrategicindustry@icta.lk