Aligning with Sri Lanka’s vision to transform the nation into a digitally empowered economy by 2030, an Investor Forum for ‘Digital Economy Growth of Sri Lanka’ was held on 6 October 2025, at Pullman Melbourne On The Park with the participation of over 70 comprising Victorian government officials, industry stakeholders, regulators, academics and potential investors.
The Investor Forum was organized by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne and hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia (DFAT), welcoming Sri Lanka delegation to Canberra Fellowship Program (CFP) on “Digital Transformation for Resilience and Prosperity”. Sri Lanka delegation was led by the Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne and comprised Dr. Hans Wijayasuria, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy and the Chairman of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), senior government officials and industry leaders.
Addressing the Forum, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne, explained the initiative aims to accelerate Sri Lanka’s journey towards a $15 billion digital economy by 2030 and emphasised the importance of ensuring that every citizen, regardless of location, has access to digital opportunities. “By empowering people through digital literacy and essential resources, we are enabling them to innovate and power the economic growth of our country,” he stated.
“As Sri Lanka stands at a pivotal moment, the government is confident that strategic investments in digitalisation and energy will unlock the nation’s full potential” The Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, emphasized.
Pradeepa Saram Consul General of Sri Lanka delivering opening remarks underscored the depth of bilateral ties, people-to-people connectivity, and long-standing trade cooperation between Sri Lanka and Victoria. Victoria has the largest Sri Lankan diaspora outside Sri Lanka and a vibrant business community.
Delivering the key note address Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy and the Chairman of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) explained the goals of digitalisation in Sri Lanka and stated that that plans are set to achieve a US$ 15 billion fivefold expansion of the digital economy in the next five years.
“The country possesses a solid foundation for a digital economy, with 75 percent of the required skills already in place”, “however, to fully capitalise on this potential, Sri Lanka need to bridge the remaining gap and augment its digital affordability to the upper first quartile within the next three years” he stressed. To achieve those targets, Dr. Wijayasuriya underscored the significance of establishing a robust institutional framework with a strong apex organisation and effective execution entities.
For the institutional framework, Sri Lanka had looked at the UK, Australia and also Singapore. Estonia was eyed for cybersecurity for some of the most essential interlinkages, Dr. Wijayasuriya underlined that Sri Lanka’s new enterprise and information technology sectors remain under invested and urged global partners and expatriate business community not to miss out on this valuable investment opportunity.
Ashling James, Director, Digital Economy & Innovation Policy, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry & Regions of Global Victoria stated that Victoria has one of Australia’s leading digital technology sectors and the digital economy policy aims for a thriving digital economy by improving government services, creating a digital-ready public sector and enhancing digital inclusion. Sri Lanka is one of Victoria’s close economic partners in the region, she noted.
Peter Ward, Managing Director of Digital Teams, Brisbane shared his company’s success story of investing in Sri Lanka, expressing confident viewpoints on Sri Lanka’s investment potentials, highlighting strengths in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, tourism and urged foreign investors to consider Sri Lanka as next destination.
The Panel discussion on” Investing in Asia’s next Digital Frontier” featuring Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, Prof. Shanika Karunasekara, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Engineering & IT, University of Melbourne and Shehani Seneviratne, Chairperson, Sri Lanka Association of Software and Services Companies, focused on adoption of a comprehensive digital economy strategy that can serve as a powerful catalyst enabling the nation to develop as a regional hub of digital innovation, production, and enterprise.
The Investor Forum for Digital Economy Growth of Sri Lanka is an initiative to position Sri Lanka as a leading destination for digital innovation and high-value services, leveraging its rich talent pool, entrepreneurial energy, and growing start up ecosystem.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka,
Melbourne
08 October 2025