Opportunity Sri Lanka | » Collaboration, innovation key to realise Sri Lanka’s digital economy aspirations
Collaboration, innovation key to realise Sri Lanka’s digital economy aspirations

Collaboration, innovation key to realise Sri Lanka’s digital economy aspirations

The Morning: The Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) recently announced its 36th annual general meeting (AGM), with a call to action from its President Dr. Ajantha Atukorale, who highlighted the critical role of technology and innovation in driving the nation’s digital transformation.
With passion and a sense of purpose, Atukorale acknowledged the strides made by the CSSL and its members over the past two years.
Atukorale emphasised the role of CSSL in steering Sri Lanka toward a sustainable and inclusive digital economy.
Reflecting on the society’s recent accomplishments, Atukorale detailed several key milestones that demonstrate CSSL’s leadership in the technology sector. These include successful initiatives to build capacity among IT professionals, promote ethical practices in computing, and enhance digital literacy across the nation.
The society has also played a vital role in fostering dialogue between the public and private sectors to drive policy reforms that support innovation and also in policy advocacy to the government related to the field of computing.
“Our initiatives have helped lay the foundation for a future-ready workforce, one that is equipped to navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital landscape,” Atukorale noted.
A significant highlight was the introduction of the concept of Society 5.0 as a guiding framework for Sri Lanka’s digital transformation. Society 5.0, a concept originating in Japan, envisions a human-centred society that balances economic advancement with the resolution of social challenges through the integration of cyberspace and physical space.
Moreover, Atukorale urged CSSL members and stakeholders to think beyond traditional digital economy models and embrace this transformative vision.
“At a juncture in which the government has focused on elevating the society via poverty alleviation, digital transformation and projects like Clean Sri Lanka, we must aim for a future where technology serves humanity, enhances quality of life, and addresses societal challenges in innovative ways,” Atukorale said.
A key focus of the President’s message was Sri Lanka’s journey toward becoming a digital economy. This vision, he explained, aligns with global trends where digitalisation is seen as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and social equity. However, achieving this goal requires coordinated efforts across multiple sectors.
Furthermore, Atukorale highlighted the importance of supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in this transformation. MSMEs, which form the backbone of Sri Lanka’s economy, often face barriers to adopting digital tools. Addressing these challenges through targeted interventions, including training programmes and financial incentives, will be critical to ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital revolution.
“Achieving our digital economy aspirations is not something CSSL or any single entity can accomplish alone. It requires a collective effort- one where all stakeholders work in unison toward a shared vision,” he said.
He pointed to recent collaborations as examples of what can be achieved when diverse stakeholders come together. These include joint initiatives to advance cybersecurity, develop smart city solutions, and create policies that support technological innovation while protecting user privacy and security.
Meanwhile, Atukorale stressed the importance of investing in education and training to build a digitally literate population.

OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic expansion and the target of becoming a hub in the Indian Ocean have underscored the importance of the country focusing on transforming Sri Lanka into a digital economy. The Sri Lankan government has already given priority to Sri Lanka’s digitalization drive and thereby expand the digital sector. This has resulted in the expansion of Sri Lanka’s ICT and digital infrastructure development sectors, which in-turn has increased the business/investment opportunities in these sectors. With Sri Lanka’s economy on the growth path supported by the country’s strategic positioning in the Indian Ocean, the strong trade ties enjoyed with other countries and the emerging hub status have all made the ICT and digital infrastructure development sectors a hotspot for expanding business/investment opportunities. Given the increasing business potential in Sri Lanka and the growth and profits recorded by local businesses engaged in the ICT and digital infrastructure development sectors, foreign businesses/investors could confidently explore the growing opportunities while also looking at further expansion through collaborations with local partners.

Share this:

Article Code : VBS/AT/20250115/Z_1

    For More Info and Help






    Leave a Comment