Young Sri Lankan Inventor Selected for Silicon Valley International Invention Festival 2026

Young Sri Lankan inventor and entrepreneur Mohamed Macbool Misharif Ahamath from Addalaichenai in Ampara District has been officially selected to represent Sri Lanka at the prestigious Silicon Valley International Invention Festival (SVIIF) 2026 in Santa Clara, California.

Representing Sri Lanka through the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission (SLIC), Misharif will showcase his innovative creation under the Online Participation category at the international event, organised by the International Federation of Inventors' Associations (IFIA) with the support of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

His patent-pending invention, titled “Smart Spectacle System Utilizing Artificial Intelligence for Visually Impaired Persons,” is an advanced wearable assistive technology designed to improve independence and safety for people with visual impairments.

The system combines several technologies into a single, affordable device, including artificial intelligence, computer vision, real-time object detection, currency recognition, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), GPS navigation and multilingual voice interaction.

The invention aims to help visually impaired users better understand their surroundings and navigate everyday situations with greater confidence and independence.

Misharif has already earned recognition for his innovative work, including the Kalam's Golden Award 2025 and other national and international honours.

His selection for SVIIF 2026 marks another significant milestone in his journey and highlights the potential of Sri Lankan young innovators to develop socially impactful technologies capable of gaining international recognition.

As he takes his invention to the global stage, Misharif's achievement serves as an inspiration to aspiring young inventors across Sri Lanka and demonstrates how innovation can be harnessed to create meaningful solutions for society.