Our Goal Is Not Just to Attract Investment, but to Build Long-Term Partnerships – PM

Prime Minister Highlights Sri Lanka’s Digital Transformation Agenda at Global CIO Forum

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka’s objective is not merely to attract investment, but to build long-term partnerships that create opportunities for investors while developing the country’s technological capabilities, knowledge and human capital.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the Global CIO Forum held in Colombo on September 23.

The forum, held in Colombo from September 22 to 24, provides an international platform for governments, technology businesses and leading Chief Information Officers (CIOs) involved in digital transformation to discuss artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital public infrastructure, cloud technologies, sustainable innovation and the future of digital leadership.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Amarasuriya said digital transformation is not simply a technological agenda for Sri Lanka, but an essential component of the country’s broader economic and social transformation.

She said digital transformation has been placed among the government’s key priorities in its efforts to build a more productive, efficient and inclusive economy. She also identified technology as a key driver of future economic growth and said Sri Lanka has set a target of developing the digital export sector to US$5 billion.

The Prime Minister further stated:

“Digital transformation must be implemented for the convenience and benefit of the people. Technology should improve people’s lives. We must also ensure wider access to opportunities, strengthen public services, support economic participation and ensure that the benefits of technological progress are broadly shared.

“Our goal is not simply to attract investment. Our main objective is to build long-term partnerships that create opportunities for investors while developing Sri Lanka’s technological capabilities, knowledge and human capital.

“We must also pay attention to the existing digital divides. We need to create an environment where a person’s place of residence, income, language or gender does not become a barrier to accessing digital devices, developing digital skills or obtaining digital services.

“Women and girls must also be given opportunities to access digital technologies, develop digital skills and fully participate in the digital economy. Closing the gender-based digital divide is not merely a matter of access; it also involves ensuring women’s participation in creating, using and governing technology.”

Emphasizing that technology exists for the people and for the benefit of the people, the Prime Minister said technology should be used to create opportunities for young people, strengthen businesses, improve public services and promote innovation, while ensuring an inclusive and sustainable future.

The event was attended by Minister of Science and Technology and Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Engineer Eranga Weeraratne, representatives of the diplomatic community, government officials, leading CIOs shaping digital transformation across governments, businesses and societies, and technology leaders.