AGP Executive Report

Cybersecurity: Critical PHP flaws could expose Sri Lankan government, financial and business systems to remote attacks, while officials have yet to say how widely security updates have been installed. The eMudhra certificate failure also highlights risks to online trust. AI and Banking: The IMF warns that AI adoption across Sri Lankan banks is uneven, with few having board-level oversight—raising concerns as financial services rely more on automated systems. Sovereign AI: Sri Lanka is seeking Chinese support to develop local AI as cloud capacity falls short; the country has also begun a UNESCO assessment aimed at building an ethical, inclusive AI framework. Health Technology: Kings Hospital Colombo has completed Sri Lanka’s first two robotic telesurgeries, a milestone for remote surgical care. Research and Innovation: IIT Madras Pravartak has signed an MoU with Dialog Axiata to support research and innovation in Sri Lanka.

AI and Finance: Sri Lanka’s banks are adopting AI unevenly, while limited oversight and reliance on global technology providers raise risks for the financial system. Digital Security: A flaw in eight eMudhra certificate keys led major browser makers to block them, prompting the company to exit SSL certificates — a warning for Sri Lanka’s digital services, too. Sovereign Computing: Sri Lanka is seeking Chinese support for a national AI computing centre, as current data-centre capacity of about 5 MW falls far short of estimated near-term demand of 25–50 MW. Emerging Technology: A passenger-drone demonstration is planned over Colombo’s Port City on November 11, as officials explore uses in tourism and transport. Health Tech: Kings Hospital Colombo says it has completed Sri Lanka’s first two robotic telesurgeries. Climate Tech: An AI system trialled on Sri Lankan rivers aims to detect flood signals early, while researchers have also identified a disease-fighting fungus in Tisahami’s hot-water well.

Sovereign AI: Sri Lanka is seeking Chinese support for a national AI computing centre, with current data-centre capacity at about 5 MW against an estimated short-term need of 25–50 MW. Air Mobility: A passenger-drone demonstration flight is planned around Port City Colombo on November 11, as officials explore eVTOL use for tourism and transport. Digital Transport: MillenniumIT ESP and Canada’s Shift Technologies are taking fleet-management software to regional markets, with an initial pilot already live with Sri Lanka’s National Transport Commission. Responsible AI: Sri Lanka has begun a UNESCO-backed assessment of its readiness for ethical, inclusive AI, aiming to identify policy and capability gaps. Science: Researchers have recorded the fungus Pseudothielavia terricola at a natural hot spring in Sri Lanka, using newly established laboratories for the research.

Urban Air Mobility: Sri Lanka is exploring passenger drones for tourism, transport and logistics. China’s EHang is scheduled to demonstrate a flight around Port City Colombo on November 11. Digital Healthcare: Sunshine Healthcare has bought a 22% stake in Doc990, expanding its reach into online appointments, consultations and payments. Research & Innovation: IIT Madras Pravartak and Dialog Axiata have signed an MoU to support Sri Lankan universities and startups with technology expertise and market access. Medical Technology: Kings Hospital Colombo has completed Sri Lanka’s first two robotic telesurgeries. Smart Infrastructure: A US$17 million US grant will support digital systems at the Port of Colombo, while an AI system has also shown promise in detecting flood signals during a river trial. Digital Skills: Sri Lanka’s plan to build a digitally skilled workforce of five million by 2030 puts skills development at the heart of its technology ambitions.

Research & Innovation: IIT Madras’ Pravartak and Dialog Axiata have signed an MoU to connect Sri Lankan universities and startups with technology expertise, business support and wider markets. Cybersecurity: Police have warned of AI-powered deepfake scams that mimic familiar voices and faces, urging people to verify urgent requests through another trusted channel. Digital Health: Kings Hospital Colombo has completed Sri Lanka’s first two robotic telesurgeries, marking a milestone for advanced medical care. AI for Resilience: A Sri Lankan river trial has tested an AI system designed to detect flood signals early. Digital Infrastructure: A US$17 million US grant will support upgrades to Colombo Port’s digital systems, while Sri Lanka and Singapore have also discussed cooperation on AI and digital public infrastructure.

Robotic Surgery: Sri Lanka has completed its first two robotic telesurgeries, with surgeons operating from New Delhi on patients in Colombo. Local specialists remained on hand as backup, while both procedures were completed remotely. Online Safety: Police warn that scammers are using AI-generated voices and videos to impersonate trusted people and steal money or personal information. Verify unexpected requests through another channel. AI and Digital Infrastructure: Sri Lanka is seeking China’s support for a National Sovereign AI Computing Centre, while a new advisory panel aims to connect global expertise with government-led digital projects. Port Technology: A US$17 million US grant will support upgrades to Colombo Port’s digital systems. Young Innovators: HUTCH’s IgnitX challenge brought 50 university teams together to develop digital solutions for customer service, with an IIT team taking first place.

AI Safety: Sri Lanka Police warned of deepfake scams using cloned voices and videos to impersonate trusted contacts, urging people to verify urgent requests through a separate channel and never share banking details or passwords. Robotic Surgery: Kings Hospital Colombo completed Sri Lanka’s first two robotic telesurgeries, with surgeons operating remotely from New Delhi while local specialists stood by. The milestone could eventually help patients access specialist care beyond major cities. Digital Government: Sri Lanka and Singapore explored cooperation on AI and digital public infrastructure, including skills development and practical tools to improve public services. Young Innovators: HUTCH’s IgnitX 2026 drew 50 university teams to develop digital customer-service solutions; IIT’s Team Zeptaz won, with University of Moratuwa teams placing second and third.

Digital Government: Sri Lanka’s Connect to Care has formed a seven-member advisory panel and launched a programme connecting overseas experts with government digital projects. AI Cooperation: Sri Lanka and Singapore are exploring practical uses of AI and digital public infrastructure to improve public services, building on a 2025 cooperation agreement. Renewable Energy: A new 10 MW solar plant in Ranna is expected to supply about 19 GWh to the grid annually; its developers also bid to add battery storage at the site and other plants. Port Technology: A US$17 million US grant will support upgrades to Colombo Port’s Maritime Single Window and Port Community System, though no supplier or launch date has been confirmed. Flood Warning: An AI system designed to detect flood signals was trialled on a Sri Lankan river, offering a potential tool for disaster preparedness.

AI Cooperation: Sri Lanka and Singapore are exploring joint work on AI and digital public services, including skills development and practical tools to improve government services. Port Technology: A US$17 million US grant will support upgrades to Colombo Port’s Maritime Single Window and Port Community System; an implementation partner and launch date have not yet been confirmed. Renewable Energy: A new 10 MW solar plant in Ranna is expected to supply about 19 GWh of electricity a year, while battery storage is planned to help reduce curtailment and stabilise the grid. Flood Readiness: An AI system tested on Sri Lankan rivers is designed to detect flood signals, offering a potential boost to early warning efforts.

Circular Economy: A Colombo regional forum is developing a South Asian roadmap for resource efficiency and inclusive growth. Agri-food Technology: Sri Lanka’s BOI pitched a $65.1 million investment portfolio in Rome, inviting firms to bring DNA authentication, compound profiling and advanced extraction to local spices and other products. AI and Digital Infrastructure: Sri Lanka is seeking China’s support for a National AI Computing Centre, while a US-backed $17 million project will modernise Colombo Port’s digital systems. Digital Skills: Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya endorsed an agenda to build a workforce of five million digitally skilled people by 2030. Flood Monitoring: An AI system that detected every flood signal in a Sri Lankan river trial points to a practical use for the technology in disaster preparedness.

Digital Skills: Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya backed CSSL’s goal of training five million digitally skilled people by 2030, with a proposed National Digital Workforce Index to track progress. Passenger Drones: New plans could bring passenger-drone services to Sri Lanka, signalling a potential next step in the country’s transport technology. AI for Flood Safety: An AI system reportedly detected every flood signal during a Sri Lankan river trial, pointing to new tools for disaster alerts. Port Technology: A US$17 million US investment will support digital upgrades at the Port of Colombo, alongside efforts to strengthen maritime security. AI and Business: A Colombo forum on 27 October will focus on turning AI adoption into measurable business value. Energy Resilience: Solar shutdown orders amid a power failure have renewed questions about how renewable energy can be integrated reliably into the grid. Market Oversight: Sri Lanka hosted about 50 international securities regulators to discuss cross-border investigations and enforcement challenges linked to digital finance.

Passenger Drones: Sri Lanka is preparing to launch a passenger-carrying drone service, with its first aircraft arrived and an inaugural flight expected from Colombo Port City later this month or in early November. Digital Skills: Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has backed a CSSL plan to build a digitally skilled workforce of five million by 2030. Port Technology: A US$17 million US investment will support digital systems at the Port of Colombo, including a Maritime Single Window and Port Community System. Grid Resilience: The nationwide power failure has renewed scrutiny of transmission stability as rooftop solar expands; a separate Sri Lankan river trial has tested AI designed to detect flood signals.

Medical Technology: A doctor has urged an independent probe into plans to buy a 17-year-old linear accelerator for Apeksha Cancer Hospital, alleging an outdated model is being considered under an ADB-funded programme. Young Innovators: FAO, the Education Ministry and HNB named a student team’s plant-based mayonnaise the winner of a youth challenge for ideas to strengthen food systems; ten leading teams will receive further mentoring. Flood Forecasting: A field trial in the Gal Oya basin uses solar-powered sensors and AI models to issue next-day flood-risk forecasts, offering an alternative to manual monitoring and static alarms. Digital Infrastructure: The US has committed $17 million to digitise Colombo Port operations, while Sri Lanka is seeking China’s support for a National Sovereign AI Computing Centre. Pharma Manufacturing: Zydus and Sunshine Healthcare plan to invest more than $20 million in a pharmaceutical plant in Horana.

Cybersecurity Oversight: Port City officials told a parliamentary committee they had facilitated 14,300 foreign-worker visas but did not routinely track workers after entry, raising questions about oversight of possible cyber-scam operations. AI Flood Forecasting: A field trial on the Gal Oya River pairs solar-powered sensors with AI models to predict next-day flood risk, offering an alternative to manual monitoring and threshold alarms. Port Digitisation: A US$17 million grant will help modernise Colombo Port systems, linking agencies and businesses to reduce paperwork and speed cargo processing. Faster Forensic Reports: Sri Lanka aims to cut drug-analysis report delays to three months by January 2027, after clearing a backlog of small-sample cases. Sovereign AI: Sri Lanka is seeking China’s support for a National Sovereign AI Computing Centre, as it looks to build domestic AI capacity.

Flood Forecasting: A solar-powered sensor network on the Gal Oya feeds live river and rainfall data to two AI models, which publish next-day flood risks for disaster managers. The field trial could help replace late, threshold-based warnings. Forensic Labs: Sri Lanka aims to cut drug-analysis report delays to three months by January 2027, after clearing a backlog of small narcotic samples and adding staff and facilities. Port Digitisation: A US$17 million U.S. grant will fund digital systems at Colombo Port to reduce paperwork, speed cargo processing and improve coordination. Sovereign AI: Sri Lanka is seeking China’s support for a National Sovereign AI Computing Centre, a bid to build local AI capacity.

Digital Infrastructure: The US has pledged $17 million to digitise Colombo Port, introducing online systems to connect shipping firms, customs, immigration and port operators and speed cargo processing. AI and Elections: Sri Lanka’s Election Commission says social media and AI influenced voter behaviour in recent elections, warning the impact could grow more serious. Sovereign AI: Sri Lanka is seeking China’s support for a National Sovereign AI Computing Centre, as the country looks to build domestic AI capacity. Young Innovators: HUTCH’s IgnitX challenge drew 50 university teams; an IIT team won, with University of Moratuwa teams taking second and third places for digital customer-service ideas. Energy Technology: A 40-megawatt-hour battery storage system has been commissioned in Sri Lanka, adding capacity to support the power grid.