AGP Executive Report

Grid Storage: Cabinet approved a contract for Sri Lanka’s first utility-scale battery system, a 100 MWh installation at Kolonnawa designed to strengthen the grid and support renewable energy. Digital Agriculture: Sri Lanka’s AgriConnect plan aims to connect 900,000 farmers with markets, finance and technology by 2030; its funding package includes World Bank and IFAD investments, while private capital remains a target. Children’s Online Safety: The government has begun planning a coordinated national programme to protect children from online abuse and cyberbullying, alongside expanding internet access in schools. Coral Reef Warning: A new regional assessment classifies all 13 South Asian coral reef ecosystems, including those in Sri Lanka, as critically endangered when future ocean warming is considered. AI Research: IIT Madras and Dialog Axiata are joining forces on AI research, while Hemas Hospital has installed Sri Lanka’s first AI-equipped Deep Resolve MRI scanner.

AgriTech: Sri Lanka’s AgriConnect plan aims to connect 900,000 farmers with finance, technology and markets by 2030. It includes $665 million in World Bank Group and IFAD backing, while a further $170 million in private investment is a target, not secured funding. AI & Elections: PAFFREL warns that AI-generated disinformation on social media threatens voter decision-making. A study found misleading answers across four tested AI chatbots, with DeepSeek recording the highest rate. Research & Health Tech: IIT Madras and Dialog Axiata are joining forces on AI research, while Hemas Hospitals has installed Sri Lanka’s first AI-equipped Deep Resolve MRI scanner. Science Community: Eighty-two Sri Lankan researchers were named among the world’s top 2% of scientists.

Enterprise Tech: Infomina will distribute and support Broadcom’s enterprise automation and network operations software in Sri Lanka and 12 other Asia-Pacific markets under a five-year agreement. AI and Elections: PAFFREL is urging a coordinated response to AI-generated political misinformation, after research found deceptive content could mislead voters and strain independent media. Digital Health: DIMO Healthcare has installed Sri Lanka’s first Deep Resolve AI-equipped MRI scanner at Hemas Hospital Thalawathugoda. AI Research: IIT Madras and Dialog Axiata are partnering to develop AI solutions, extending technology collaboration between India and Sri Lanka. Climate Tech: A funding programme offering up to $2 million for climate-informed early-warning systems includes Sri Lanka among its priority countries; applications close on November 17.

AI in Healthcare: Sri Lanka’s first AI-equipped MRI scanner has been installed at Hemas Hospital in Thalawathugoda, bringing advanced imaging technology to local care. AI & Industry: IIT Madras and Dialog Axiata are joining forces to develop new technology solutions, while the Export Development Board held an AI workshop for SME exporters. Climate & Work: The ILO estimates heat stress could reduce Sri Lanka’s working time by the equivalent of 145,000 full-time jobs by 2040; losses across Sri Lanka and the Maldives could reach $26.6 billion a year. Air Quality: Jaffna recorded an AQI of 142 and Colombo 102, both unhealthy for sensitive groups. Research & STEM: 82 Sri Lankan researchers were named among the world’s top 2% of scientists, and the national team marked a historic milestone at the 67th International Mathematical Olympiad. Agriculture: The AgriConnect plan aims to connect 900,000 farmers to stronger markets by 2030, backed by up to $835 million in development and private-sector financing.

Air Quality: Jaffna recorded Sri Lanka’s highest pollution reading, with Colombo fourth; the NBRO linked worsening air quality across several districts to weather and winds from southern India. Climate & Work: The ILO warns heat stress could reduce Sri Lanka’s working time by the equivalent of 145,000 full-time jobs by 2040. AI in Healthcare: Hemas Hospital has installed Sri Lanka’s first Deep Resolve AI-equipped MRI scanner. AI & Industry: IIT Madras and Dialog Axiata are joining forces on AI research, while the Export Development Board held an AI workshop for SME exporters. Research Talent: 82 Sri Lankan researchers have been named among the world’s top 2% of scientists.

Air Quality: Jaffna recorded Sri Lanka’s highest AQI reading at 142, with Colombo at 102; both fall in the range considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. The NBRO linked worsening pollution across several districts to weather and winds from southern India. Agricultural Technology: Sri Lanka’s new AgriConnect plan, backed by $665 million from the World Bank Group and IFAD, aims to connect 900,000 farmers to finance, technology and markets by 2030, and attract up to $170 million in private investment. Climate at Work: ILO studies warn that heat stress could reduce working time in Sri Lanka by the equivalent of 145,000 full-time jobs by 2040, underscoring the need to protect workers and adapt workplaces. Research Partnership: Dialog Axiata and IITM Pravartak plan joint work on AI, dengue prevention, human-elephant conflict and industry skills. AI in Healthcare: Hemas Hospital Thalawathugoda has installed Sri Lanka’s first MRI scanner with Siemens Healthineers’ Deep Resolve AI image-reconstruction technology.

AgriTech: Sri Lanka has launched AgriConnect with the World Bank Group and IFAD, combining investment and technology to help 900,000 farmers access value chains by 2030. The plan includes $550 million from the World Bank Group and $115 million from IFAD. Research Partnerships: Dialog Axiata and IIT Madras’s Pravartak Technologies Foundation will collaborate on AI, dengue prevention, human-elephant conflict and industry skills. AI for Business: An Export Development Board workshop in Kandy showed 55 SME exporters practical ways to use AI for market research, marketing and business automation. Digital Healthcare: Hemas Hospital Thalawathugoda has installed Sri Lanka’s first MRI scanner featuring Siemens Healthineers’ Deep Resolve AI image-reconstruction technology. Climate and Work: An ILO study warns heat stress could cost Sri Lanka working time equivalent to 145,000 full-time jobs by 2040, underscoring the need to adapt workplaces.

Digital Agriculture: Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya launched AgriConnect, a government, World Bank and IFAD initiative to modernise farming with digital technology and strengthen smallholder agriculture. Research Partnership: Dialog Axiata and IITM Pravartak will collaborate on AI, dengue prevention, human-elephant conflict solutions and industry skills, linking research with Sri Lankan needs. AI for Exporters: An Export Development Board workshop in Kandy showed 55 SME exporters how AI tools can support market research, marketing, customer engagement and business automation. Medical Technology: Hemas Hospital Thalawathugoda has installed Sri Lanka’s first MRI scanner with Deep Resolve AI, designed to improve image clarity and support faster scans. Climate and Work: ILO studies warn that heat stress could cost Sri Lanka the equivalent of 145,000 full-time jobs and about US$26 billion in annual GDP by 2040, underscoring the need for workplace protections and adaptation.

Climate & Work: New ILO studies warn that heat stress could cost Sri Lanka the equivalent of 145,000 full-time jobs and about US$26 billion in annual GDP by 2040, strengthening calls for workplace protections and climate adaptation. AI in Banking: Bank of Ceylon has launched an AI-powered instant-loan service through its BOC Flex app, offering preapproved customers a fully digital application process. Energy Research: Sri Lanka is assessing whether nuclear power could support future electricity needs; the Government says no decision has been made and the country is completing the first stage of the IAEA’s evaluation process. Science & Water: A Japan-backed project is supplying equipment and building a monitoring network to track pollution in the Kelani River basin, with the aim of turning better data into stronger protection of a vital water source. Research Community: 82 Sri Lankan scientists have been named among the world’s top 2% researchers in a Stanford–Elsevier ranking. Computing Research: SLIIT co-hosted an international conference on data mining and information security, with 217 papers selected from 881 submissions.

AI-enabled Fraud: Sri Lankan police are investigating a suspect accused of using AI to impersonate a medical student and trick an expatriate worker out of Rs. 1.8 million and gifts. Heat & Jobs: ILO studies warn that heat stress could reduce working time in Sri Lanka by the equivalent of 145,000 full-time jobs by 2040, with agriculture among the hardest-hit sectors. Digital Banking: Bank of Ceylon has launched AI-powered instant loans through its BOC Flex app, allowing eligible customers to apply and receive funds without visiting a branch. Energy Technology: Sri Lanka is assessing nuclear power as a possible future energy source, but officials stress no decision has been made and safety and infrastructure questions remain. Research & Innovation: Dialog and IIT Madras’ Pravartak centre have partnered on AI, applied research and innovation, linking Sri Lankan institutions with Indian research networks. STEM Achievement: Sri Lanka’s team won its first-ever silver medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad, after 31 years of participation.

Maritime Data: Sri Lankan and Indian ports are seeing container transshipment delays up to 59% above pre-disruption levels, despite easing freight disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Science Milestone: Sri Lanka won its first silver medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad in 31 years, with Lasitha Jayasinghe leading the team. Digital Learning: Smart classrooms with remote-learning facilities and a new learning management system have opened at two National Colleges of Education, with plans to extend them to all 20. Digital Health: Nawaloka Hospitals increased its stake in Doc990, a platform for booking appointments, digital consultations and payments, while Allianz Lanka partnered with BIMA to offer policyholders round-the-clock teleconsultations. FinTech: Sri Lanka’s first FinTech Festival, set for 2–3 November in Colombo, will bring together industry leaders, regulators and policymakers to develop the country’s digital finance sector.

Digital Health: Nawaloka Hospitals increased its stake in Doc990, backing a platform for booking appointments and digital consultations. Allianz Lanka also partnered with BIMA to offer policyholders round-the-clock teleconsultations in Sinhala, Tamil and English. FinTech: Sri Lanka’s first FinTech Festival, set for 2–3 November, will bring together businesses, regulators and investors to showcase the country’s digital finance sector. Digital Learning: Smart classrooms and remote-learning facilities have opened at two teacher colleges, with plans to extend them to all 20; a learning management system was also launched. Space Applications: Sri Lanka highlighted how space technology can support disaster management and services such as agriculture, irrigation and meteorology. AI and Research: Sri Lanka has begun a UNESCO assessment aimed at building an ethical, inclusive AI future, while Dialog Axiata and IIT Madras Pravartak have partnered to advance research and innovation.

Digital Education: Sri Lanka has opened its first smart classrooms at two National Colleges of Education, with plans to extend remote-learning facilities to all 20 colleges. The China-funded initiative also includes a new learning management system. Intelligent Banking: More than 500 banking and technology leaders met in Colombo to discuss AI, cybersecurity and customer engagement. Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said technology leaders are increasingly central to trust and innovation in finance. Space Applications: Sri Lanka told a regional conference it is using space technology to support disaster management, agriculture, irrigation, meteorology and public services. Health Technology: Hemas Hospitals has introduced an AI-powered MRI system in Thalawathugoda, designed to produce sharper images with shorter, quieter scans. Agricultural Research: The plantations minister has urged the Coconut Research Institute to turn research and new cultivation technologies into practical solutions for growers and higher productivity.

AI in Healthcare: Hemas Hospitals has unveiled Sri Lanka’s first MRI system using Siemens Healthineers’ Deep Resolve AI, offering faster scans and sharper images at its Thalawathugoda hospital. Smarter Ports: A US$17 million US grant will support digital systems at Colombo Port, linking customs, terminals and other agencies to speed cargo handling; officials say technology is key to keeping the port competitive. Fintech Push: Sri Lanka is aiming to become a regional fintech hub, with the government promoting digital payments to move the economy away from cash-heavy transactions. Research Links: Dialog Axiata and IIT Madras’ Pravartak Technologies have partnered to advance research and innovation in Sri Lanka. Climate Innovation: HCLTech has opened its climate-action grant programme to Sri Lankan organisations, with funding for projects addressing climate change and ecosystem restoration.

Port Technology: The US has provided a US$17 million grant to help modernise Colombo Port. A regional workshop brought 11 American technology companies together to explore tools for improving port operations and cargo handling. Climate Innovation: Sri Lankan non-profits can apply for HCLTech’s global climate grant, which offers one US$500,000 award and three US$250,000 awards; applications close on 24 January. Research Partnerships: Dialog Axiata and IIT Madras Pravartak have partnered to advance research and innovation in Sri Lanka. Sovereign AI: Sri Lanka is seeking Chinese support to develop sovereign AI, as limited cloud capacity poses a hurdle to building local capabilities. Digital Heritage: An India–Sri Lanka initiative will use digital tools to preserve ancient palm-leaf manuscripts. Renewable Energy: Hayleys Solar has launched what it describes as Sri Lanka’s largest 24/7 renewable energy operations centre.

Research & Innovation: Dialog Axiata and IIT Madras Pravartak have partnered to advance research and technology in Sri Lanka. Digital Transport: SLT-MOBITEL is powering the government’s online bus-ticketing platform, while Hayleys Solar has launched a 24/7 digital operations centre to monitor renewable-energy sites and flag faults. AI in Industry: Alumex won a National AI Award for systems that use AI and real-time data to improve manufacturing and energy management. Cybersecurity: Warnings about critical cyber flaws and AI-powered deepfake scams underline the risks accompanying Sri Lanka’s digitalisation. AI Readiness: Sri Lanka is pursuing a UNESCO assessment to build an ethical, inclusive AI future, even as reports point to limited cloud capacity for sovereign AI. Water Science: Japan has pledged more than Rs. 600 million for a five-year Kelani River project, using monitoring equipment and a data platform to support water-quality research and policy.