President Wickremesinghe Pushes for AI to Drive Economic Transformation
June 01, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has underscored the critical role of modern technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), in achieving Sri Lanka’s future social and economic goals. He announced the launch of a comprehensive AI initiative set to begin next year, with the aim of integrating AI into all sectors over the next five years. The university system will play a central role in this endeavor, as highlighted by the President during a discussion with university scholars at the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday, May 30.
In his address, President Wickremesinghe emphasized the urgency of transitioning Sri Lanka from an import-dependent economy to an export-oriented one to ensure economic stability. He pointed out that the country faces a crucial period between 2027 and 2040 for addressing foreign debt obligations, necessitating a significant economic transformation by 2035.
During the meeting, a group of university professors and scholars presented a proposal on the application of AI technology in Sri Lanka. The President was briefed on various AI projects already underway at several universities, detailing their operations and objectives. This move aligns with the government’s broader strategy to leverage cutting-edge technology to drive economic growth and innovation.
President Wickremesinghe’s commitment to fostering AI adoption is seen as a pivotal step towards enhancing the country’s technological capabilities and ensuring sustainable economic development. The integration of AI is expected to bring about substantial improvements in various sectors, contributing to the overall progress of the nation.
