AGP Executive Report

Sovereign AI: Sri Lanka is seeking China’s support for a National AI Computing Centre, with a digital cooperation MoU in preparation and discussions covering research, skills and technical expertise. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Zydus Lifesciences and Sunshine Holdings plan to invest more than $20 million in a Horana plant, targeting local production of oral medicines from 2028. Digital Finance: People’s Bank and Lanka Securities have integrated banking and share trading in People’s Pay, letting users manage funds, CDS accounts and investments in one app. Renewable Energy: Industry representatives warn that ending net-metering and net-accounting for new solar connections could deter investment and put pressure on power supply. Coastal Technology: Clean Serendib has begun machine-assisted beach cleaning in Mount Lavinia, targeting small debris embedded in sand that manual clean-ups can miss. Research and Innovation: SLIIT Kandy UNI’s digital technology and business symposium brought together 48 research presentations on topics including AI, digital health, smart cities and financial technology.

AI Infrastructure: Sri Lanka has asked China to support a National Sovereign AI Computing Centre and an AI cooperation agreement, alongside plans to build local skills, governance and investment. Clean Energy: Solar industry representatives warn that ending net-metering options for new rooftop systems and shortening contracts could deter investment as Sri Lanka faces a possible 450 MW electricity shortfall in 2027. Digital Economy: At Digital Summit Asia, Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne outlined plans to expand digital skills, services and cashless payments, with a target of US$5 billion in digital exports by 2030. Coastal Technology: Clean Serendib has begun machine-assisted beach cleaning at Mount Lavinia, targeting small waste fragments that manual cleanups often miss. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Zydus and Sunshine Healthcare are investing more than US$20 million in a Horana plant to make oral medicines locally, with operations expected from 2028.

Smart Energy: Sigenergy has launched in Sri Lanka, bringing residential and commercial energy solutions as the country pursues a cleaner energy transition. A 40MWh battery storage project was also commissioned this week, adding capacity to the renewable-energy system. AI Infrastructure: Sri Lanka has asked China to support a National Sovereign AI Computing Centre and proposed an AI cooperation agreement. Separately, SLT-Mobitel launched its SMART AI platform, described as South Asia’s first AI token-credit platform. Digital Economy: At Digital Summit Asia, officials set out priorities including digitising public services and traditional industries, expanding digital skills and reaching US$5 billion in digital exports by 2030.

Data Protection: Kenya’s regulator is hosting a Sri Lankan delegation to share practices in investigations, enforcement and public awareness, strengthening cooperation on personal-data protection. Artificial Intelligence: SLT-Mobitel has launched a token-based AI platform with Sinhala and Tamil support, while Sampath Bank received regional recognition for using AI and machine learning in banking. Digital Economy: The Government aims to grow the digital economy to US$15 billion by 2030 and build a 200,000-strong digital workforce, with officials also highlighting lessons from Sri Lanka’s public-finance reforms for pairing technology with better systems and data. Research and Robotics: Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia visited the University of Canberra’s robotics lab, where Sri Lankan doctoral researchers are working on AI, waste sorting and human-robot interaction. Health Science: A Rs. 5.43 billion programme will strengthen pandemic preparedness, upgrade a public-health reference laboratory and support plans for a disease-control centre. Clean Energy: Sri Lanka and the EU discussed a possible green-energy hub at Trincomalee Port, with a feasibility study proposed.

AI Access: SLT-Mobitel has launched SMART AI, a token-credit platform it calls South Asia’s first, with Sinhala- and Tamil-oriented AI access. New users receive 1,000 free credits; 10,000 credits cost Rs. 749. Pandemic Preparedness: Cabinet approved Rs. 5.43 billion for 35 measures, including upgrades to the Medical Research Institute’s public-health reference lab and plans for a disease-control centre. Research Talent: Sri Lanka’s High Commission in Australia explored research links with the University of Canberra, highlighting four Sri Lankan doctoral researchers working in AI, robotics, recycling and healthcare. Animation: Sri Lankan-made feature The Secret of the Moonstone will screen at Italy’s VIEW Conference on October 15, followed by a production talk. Digital Economy: Sri Lanka is targeting a digital economy worth 12% of GDP by 2030, with officials calling for more locally developed products as AI reshapes service exports. Biodiversity: A new genetic study finds Sri Lanka’s spectacled cobras form a distinct lineage that diverged from mainland relatives around two million years ago; whether it warrants separate species status remains unresolved.

Digital Economy: Sri Lanka is targeting a digital economy worth 12% of GDP by 2030, with presidential adviser Hans Wijayasuriya urging a shift from low-cost services to locally built products and intellectual property. A digital ID rollout is planned from December to February, but fragmented government systems and talent migration remain hurdles. Biodiversity Research: Researchers have documented a new, highly localised balsam species in Kegalle after a plant photo shared online drew a botanist’s attention. Genetics: A new study finds Sri Lanka’s cobras form a distinct lineage that diverged from mainland relatives around two million years ago, though their status as a separate species remains unsettled. AI in Manufacturing: Alumex won a bronze National AI Award for systems that use AI and real-time data to monitor aluminium production, improve consistency and track energy use. Agritech: HNB and the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka are backing student startups to develop and field-test technology for farmers.

Technology Investment: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledged stronger investor protections and more private-sector involvement, including a proposed Singapore-backed ICT and AI training centre. Engineering Education: A 25-member committee has been appointed to develop a national policy aligning engineering education with Sri Lanka’s needs. E-waste: The Environment Ministry is preparing producer-responsibility rules and a national policy to improve collection and recycling. Clean Energy: A 10 MW/40 MWh battery storage system is now operating in Galle, helping balance renewable power and support grid reliability. Agritech & Startups: HNB and IESL are backing university-led farming innovations with Rs. 1.2 million for prototypes and field trials, while Dialog and IESL have launched a startup challenge to help turn ideas into viable businesses. Plantation companies are also adopting machinery, drones and digital tools to tackle labour shortages.

Engineering Education: A 25-member committee has been appointed to develop a national policy, aiming to align engineering courses with Sri Lanka’s development needs. E-waste: The Environment Ministry is working on a coordinated collection and recycling system, including proposed rules that would make producers more responsible for discarded electronics. Urban Cooling: As Colombo heats up, engineers point to natural ventilation as a low-energy alternative to air conditioning, though dense development and poor airflow can limit its benefits. Energy Storage: A 10 MW/40 MWh battery system in Galle is now operating, adding grid flexibility to support renewable power. AI in Industry: Sri Lankan product engineering firm 99x has launched an AI Hub to track how AI affects productivity, quality, costs and customer value. Retail Tech: NOLIMIT has introduced RFID self-checkout at its One Galle Face store, allowing tagged items to be read together rather than scanned one by one.

AI at Work: 99x has launched an AI Hub to track how artificial intelligence affects productivity, quality, costs and customer value. Its Agent Control Plane, Xians.ai, also won the Best Agentic AI Solution award at the National AI Awards. Dialog and the Ruhunu Tourist Bureau have separately launched a multilingual AI travel assistant. Energy Storage: A 10 MW/40 MWh utility-scale battery storage facility has been commissioned in Galle, with Pan Asia Bank providing part-financing. The project adds a new storage capability as Sri Lanka considers AI data centres that could require an additional 315 MW of power. Digital Safety: Sri Lanka plans to pilot digital safety guidelines for schoolchildren next November. Young Innovators: Sri Lankan students competed at the Asia Pacific Robot Olympiad in Hyderabad, extending the country’s presence in regional STEM competitions.

STEM Talent: Sri Lanka’s 24-member team returned from the International Mathematics and Science Olympiad with three silver and 10 bronze medals, competing against students from 23 countries. Clean Energy: A 10 MW/40 MWh battery storage system in Galle has begun commercial operation, adding grid flexibility as Sri Lanka expands solar and wind power. AI for Tourism: Dialog and the Ruhunu Tourist Bureau have launched a multilingual AI travel assistant. Research Links: Sri Lankan apparel group Brandix Corporate Campus and Bangladesh’s BUFT are exploring joint research and industry-focused solutions for textiles.

Student Science: Sri Lanka’s 24-member team returned from the International Mathematics and Science Olympiad in Indonesia with three silver and 10 bronze medals, after students earned their places through a four-stage national selection process. Clean Energy: A 10 MW/40 MWh battery storage system has begun operating in Galle, helping balance renewable power and support grid reliability; Sri Lanka has also secured US$57.4 million for rooftop solar and virtual net metering. Digital Safety: Age-specific internet safety guidelines for schoolchildren are due to enter pilot testing in November, aiming to help students navigate online risks. AI and Drones: Dialog and Ruhunu Tourist Bureau have launched a multilingual AI travel assistant, while Scouts and Vidullanka are using autonomous drones to monitor solar plants.

Grid Storage: A 10 MW/40 MWh battery system in Galle has entered commercial operation, adding fast-response capacity to support renewable energy as Sri Lanka targets 70% renewable electricity by 2030. Online Safety: Sri Lanka plans to pilot age-specific internet safety guidance for students in November, with advice tailored to five age groups. Digital Trade: An ODI Global report urges Sri Lanka to include enforceable rules on data flows and online transactions in future trade deals; 70% of surveyed exporters already use e-commerce. Applied Tech: Dialog and Ruhunu Tourist Bureau have launched a multilingual AI travel assistant, while Scouts and Vidullanka are using autonomous drones to monitor solar plants. Food Science: A Sri Lankan scientist has developed 3D-printed protein cookies using waste materials.

Digital Trade: Sri Lanka should add enforceable digital trade rules to future trade deals, an ODI Global report says. Based on a survey of 953 exporters and importers, it finds 70% already use e-commerce. AI in Tourism: Dialog and the Ruhunu Tourist Bureau have launched a multilingual AI travel assistant, bringing digital support to visitors. Clean-Energy Security: Local robotics firm Scouts has deployed autonomous drones at two Vidullanka solar plants to monitor risks including fire, damaged fences and maintenance needs. AI Infrastructure: Sri Lanka is courting AI data centres as power demand is forecast to rise by 315 megawatts, sharpening questions about energy supply. Food Innovation: A Sri Lankan scientist has developed 3D-printed protein cookies using waste, offering a novel route to turn discarded materials into food.

AI Tourism: Dialog and the Ruhunu Tourist Bureau launched a multilingual voice assistant that lets travellers get Sri Lanka travel information by phone, without an app or internet connection. Building Standards: Sri Lanka has begun work on its first National Building Code, a 2026–28 project aimed at improving construction quality, safety and disaster resilience. Clean-Energy Security: Local robotics company Scouts deployed autonomous drone monitoring at two Vidullanka solar plants, using thermal and 4K cameras to flag potential risks. Digital Finance: A new SEC and CSE stock-market simulator uses real Colombo Stock Exchange prices to help users practise investing with virtual money; IronOne Technologies developed the platform. Science and Skills: A Sri Lankan scientist has developed 3D-printed protein cookies from waste, while local students represented the country at the Asia Pacific Robot Olympiad in Hyderabad.

Student Robotics: Four Sri Lankan teams returned from the World Robot Olympiad Asia-Pacific championship with robots designed to help farmers, patients, older people and people with disabilities. Gateway College Negombo’s MechRE placed eighth with a robotic guide dog. Digital Payments: LOLC Finance’s iPay Business launched a platform for businesses to accept payments, including turning NFC-enabled smartphones into contactless payment devices; merchants can sign up through its app. Cybersecurity: A report on illegal call centres in Sri Lanka says 408 people, including 284 Chinese nationals, were arrested in five major raids since 2021, highlighting the networks’ links to cybercrime and financial fraud. Autonomous Drones: Local startup Scouts and Vidullanka have deployed a Sri Lankan-made drone security system using AI to detect risks such as fires, damaged fencing and equipment problems. Digital Cooperation: Sri Lanka and Lithuania signed an MoU opening opportunities for collaboration in digital technology, education, trade and professional exchanges.

Student Robotics: Four Sri Lankan teams returned from the Asia-Pacific World Robot Olympiad with home-built robots for community needs; Negombo’s MechRE placed eighth with a robotic guide dog for blind and older people. Digital Payments: LOLC Finance’s iPay Business launched Wyapara Balaganwayi, offering merchants app-based onboarding and tools including contactless payments. AI at Work: Sri Lankan-founded 99x introduced AI Hub to help teams track the cost, quality and performance of AI-assisted workflows. Cybersecurity: A report on illegal call centres says 408 people have been arrested in five major raids since 2021, amid concerns about the networks’ role in financial fraud and cybercrime. Retail Technology: NOLIMIT and Cenmetrix have brought RFID to the One Galle Face flagship, enabling faster checkout and improved stock visibility. AI Infrastructure: Sri Lanka is considering AI data centres as projected power demand rises by 315 MW, bringing energy needs into focus.