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· 3 min read

Around the world, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is demonstrating remarkable potential to optimize resource allocation, boost productivity, and drive inclusive growth. From environmental protection to healthcare improvement, AI's applications are vast and profound. Facing complex challenges, Sri Lanka’s need for transformative solutions has never been greater. AI offers an unparalleled opportunity to address these challenges head-on and drive inclusive growth, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Our vision is to create a digitally empowered Sri Lanka through responsible AI development and adoption. Building on the Digital Strategy 2030, we aim to position our nation as a regional AI hub, enhancing our global competitiveness and economic resilience.

This draft strategy was developed through a collaborative process by the Committee on Formulating a Strategy for AI (CFSAI), which is comprised of representatives from government, private sector, academia and civil society. The inclusive approach ensures the strategy reflects our nation's diverse needs and aspirations, transcending specific interests. By examining global best practices, we've tailored a framework poised to guide Sri Lanka's AI journey effectively.

Guided by seven core principles (inclusivity and responsibility, trustworthiness and transparency, human-centricity, adoption-focus and impact-orientation, agile and adaptive governance, collaboration and global engagement and sustainability and future-readiness), our strategy focuses on:

  1. Strengthening key foundational enablers: data, skills, infrastructure, R&D and public awareness.
  2. Accelerating AI utilization through public sector transformation and private sector stimulation.
  3. Ensuring safe and trustworthy AI through iterative governance, responsible practices, and public engagement.

Your Role in Shaping Sri Lanka's AI Future We believe that a successful AI strategy requires collective wisdom and diverse perspectives. We invite you to participate in this public consultation and become a co-architect of our nation’s digital future.

By participating, you will: • Ensure the strategy addresses all communities' needs • Contribute to innovative AI solutions for public good • Help identify and mitigate potential risks • Align AI initiatives with national values and aspirations

How to Participate The draft National AI Strategy is now available for your review. We encourage you to read it and share your thoughts. The public consultation period will remain open for 4 months. Submit your feedback to “info@mot.gov.lk” by 06/01/2025.

We also encourage you to organize consultation meetings, discussions, panels, or events within your sectoral networks and submit consolidated feedback on the draft strategy.

Building a Brighter Future Together AI presents Sri Lanka with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to leapfrog developmental challenges and become a hub of innovation and inclusive growth. Your participation in this consultation will help shape our nation's future.

Join us in this crucial national dialogue. Let's harness the power of AI to build a Sri Lanka that leads in innovation, thrives in prosperity and ensures no one is left behind.

· 2 min read

Setting up a citizen centric and citizen friendly ‘Digital Government’ and digitally enabled services are key government strategies in the achievement of its vision of ‘A Technology Based Society’. In that, electronic mail (e-mail) has been identified as one of the key communication medium within the digital government approaches, which can be used not only for intra and inter-departmental communication but also for correspondence with the citizens and businesses as well. Thus, the provision of e-mail services to government sector promotes an effective governance framework for the administration and the use of government services.

The policy is developed upon Government’s recognition of the use of e-mail as the main communication medium for government to correspond with citizens and businesses. It encourages all government officers to use e-mail in order to timely, effectively and efficiently maintain their communication process to offer a better service delivery. The policy articulates the framework for the implementation and usage of e-mail facility, recognizing the Ministry of Technology as the implementation agency on behalf of the Government.

Building on its commitment to collaborative governance, the Sri Lankan Government has opened the policy for public consultation. In this spirit, we invite your valued feedback on the draft ‘E-mail Policy for Government Organizations’. We encourage you to access the draft policy via [the link to policy document] and participate in this important consultation process. Your comments and suggestions can be shared with us through the following channels.

  • E-mail: info@mot.gov.lk
  • Postal Address: Ministry of Technology, Level 11, One Galle Face Tower, No. 1A. Centre Road, Galle Face, Colombo 02.

Submissions for public consultation will be accepted until 10th of August, 2024.

Share your insights and help us develop a policy that maximizes the benefits of technology for both the Government and the Citizens.

· 2 min read

The Government of Sri Lanka is committed to building an advanced, prosperous, and inclusive nation through digital transformation. A critical aspect of this transformation is the adoption of cloud services to enhance the efficiency, security, and accessibility of government services.

To support this initiative, we have developed the 'Policy for the Adoption of Cloud Services by Government Organizations in Sri Lanka.' This policy provides guidelines for government organizations to transition from traditional data storage and computing frameworks to cloud-based solutions. Key objectives include improving service delivery, ensuring data security, optimizing costs, and fostering sustainable IT practices

Key Highlights of the Policy:

  • Cloud First Approach: Government organizations are encouraged to adopt cloud services as the preferred strategy for new ICT deployments and digital transformation of existing services.
  • Security: Ensuring secure deployment of government data and services to the cloud, safeguarding sensitive information.
  • Data Sovereignty: Protecting national interests by ensuring residency for critical data while allowing government business entities to utilize different hosting options based on data categorization and criticality.
  • Cost Optimization: Strategically implementing cloud services to reduce operational expenses and maximize return on investment.
  • Sustainability: Leveraging cloud technology to achieve optimal resource utilization and minimize energy consumption.
  • Transparency and Accountability: Enhancing public trust through transparent procurement and management of cloud resources.
  • Operational Efficiency: Adopting best practices to optimize resource utilization, reliability, and agility.
  • Scalability: Ensuring cloud solutions can scale to meet fluctuating demands.
  • Disaster Recovery and Operational Continuity: Guaranteeing uninterrupted delivery of government services through robust disaster recovery solutions.

Building on our commitment to collaborative governance, we invite your valued feedback on the draft ‘Cloud Policy for Government Organizations’. We encourage you to access the draft policy via [the link to policy document] and participate in this important consultation process. Your comments and suggestions can be shared with us through the following channels:

E-mail: info@mot.gov.lk Postal Address: Ministry of Technology, Level 11, One Galle Face Tower, No. 1A. Centre Road, Galle Face, Colombo 02. Submissions for public consultation will be accepted until end of 10th of August 2024. Share your insights and help us develop a policy that maximizes the benefits of technology for both the Government and the Citizens.

· 2 min read

The growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) over the last decade has been remarkable, driven by advancements in computational power, the availability of vast datasets, and significant improvements in machine learning algorithms. This period has seen AI transition from a primarily academic pursuit to a ubiquitous technology, impacting a wide range of sectors including healthcare, finance, automotive, and entertainment. The acceleration of AI development has been particularly pronounced in the past year, with the advent of generative AI models that can produce text, images, and code at levels of sophistication previously unattainable. These models have demonstrated capabilities that blur the lines between human and machine-generated content, signalling a shift towards more intuitive, efficient, and personalized AI applications. This exponential growth in AI capabilities has sparked both enthusiasm and debate around its potential impacts on society, including ethical considerations, job displacement concerns, and the need for regulatory frameworks to ensure its responsible deployment. AI Literacy campaigns are needed across all elements of society to create an informed citizenry who can make their voices heard on future issues of AI, Furthermore, as AI based innovation energizes every industry, building AI skills is essential to future competitiveness in the global economy.

To prepare our students for their future, AI literacy must begin early. The Sri Lanka government, in partnership with public sector and private sector institutions, is proud to be a leading voice for AI Literacy through the launch of AI Clubs in the nation’s schools. This pilot program encompasses 100 schools across the country. Once complete, the intent is to roll out AI Clubs to all of the nation’s schools.

In the pilot, students from grades 5-8 engage in AI concept learning, capability development, context understanding of AI use cases, and creative projects exploring future AI uses in problem-solving and innovation. Via partnerships with industry experts such as AIClub, SLASSCOM, IronOne, and Boardpac, the students gain exposure to state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence technologies, learning environments, use cases, and mentorship opportunities.

This initiative is part of Sri Lanka’s AI Strategy 2024-2028 which is being drafted by the Committee on Formulating a Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (CFSAI). To learn more about the Sri Lanka AI Clubs initiative, please contact “secretary@mot.gov.lk”.

You can also find Sri Lanka’s vision for AI here.

· 2 min read

The Artificial Intelligence Task Force in Sri Lanka has meticulously crafted a white paper to guide the development of a comprehensive strategy for AI integration.

This strategy aims to leverage AI technologies to drive innovation, economic growth and societal progress across the nation. Recognizing the importance of inclusivity, the task force is committed to soliciting public suggestions and observations to ensure that the strategy reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of Sri Lankans. To achieve this, we will conduct meetings, utilize online platforms and engage in targeted outreach efforts to reach citizens from all walks of life.

By actively involving the public in the formulation of the AI strategy, we aim to promote transparency, awareness and understanding of AI technologies among the populace. Furthermore, public input will enrich the strategy with diverse perspectives, unlocking innovative solutions and mitigating potential risks. Through collaborative efforts with stakeholders from government, academia, industry, civil society and the general public, we aspire to develop an AI strategy that upholds ethical standards, promote social equity and enhances the quality of life for all Sri Lankans. Together, let us build a future where AI serves as a catalyst for inclusive development and prosperity in Sri Lanka

As we embark on this transformative journey towards an AI-powered future, we invite every citizen to join us in shaping the destiny of our nation. Please see attached white paper and give us your ideas, insights and perspectives are valuable for us through “dir_it@mot.gov.lk” till the 26th of April 2024. Together, let us build a future where AI serves as a catalyst for progress, prosperity and inclusive development in Sri Lanka.