Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a key priority of the Government is to transform Sri Lanka from a country that imports and consumes technological tools developed elsewhere into an innovative nation capable of providing new technological solutions to the world.
The Prime Minister made these remarks today (18) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo, while participating in the NSF Award Ceremony for Science Popularization 2026, organized by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Held under the theme "AI for Safety and Resilience,”the ceremony recognized schoolchildren, teachers, scientists and media personnel who have made outstanding contributions to the popularization and promotion of science.
Addressing the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:
Artificial Intelligence, or AI technology, is a rapidly evolving technology that is transforming the way we live, work and communicate, as well as the way we respond to challenges. It can be described as one of the most significant technological transformations humanity has ever faced.
When Artificial Intelligence is developed and used responsibly, it has the potential to make a significant contribution to strengthening disaster preparedness and response, ensuring public safety, protecting our environment, enhancing our capacity for decision-making, and building a safer and more resilient society.
However, alongside the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence, we are also confronted with a range of challenges, including cybersecurity threats, breaches of data privacy, the spread of misinformation and potential algorithmic biases. If this technology is misused or used irresponsibly, it could pose a serious threat to the stability of society as well as democratic values.
Therefore, our priority must be to harness the genuine positive outcomes of Artificial Intelligence for the benefit of society, while protecting ourselves from its adverse impacts.
Followed by the manifesto, A thriving nation – A Beautiful Life, we have clearly outlined our vision of transforming Sri Lanka towards a knowledge- and innovation-based economy.
If we are to move forward as a country, we must move beyond traditional frameworks and embrace innovation. Innovation does not necessarily mean a technological invention alone. It can also mean finding the most appropriate, simple and efficient solutions to the social and economic challenges we face.
As a Government, we have taken steps to achieve significant progress in the fields of science and technology in recent times. In particular, we have initiated the establishment of technological standards in the public and private sectors by activating the National AI and Digital Transformation Framework.
At the same time, we are taking steps to strengthen STEM education and digital literacy within the school system, and to commercialize innovations emerging from universities and research institutions and introduce them to both local and international markets. Our goal is to transform Sri Lanka from a country that merely consumes technological tools developed by the world into an innovative nation that provides new technological solutions to the world.
In our journey towards this goal, the NSF Award Ceremony for Science Popularization organized by the National Science Foundation plays a important role that encourages our younger generation to study science with enthusiasm, curiosity, creativity and a sense of responsibility.
Therefore, our students and researchers must be encouraged to ask questions, explore new ideas and use science and technology appropriately to find solutions to the challenges faced by our society and our country. We must become leaders and active participants in the development of Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies. All of us must work together to build a country that shares technology with the world from Sri Lanka, rather than merely bringing technology from the world into our country.
The occasion was attended by the Minister of Science and Technology Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena, Secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology Dr. Roshani Dissanayake, Chairman of the National Science Foundation Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, Director General Professor Shiromi Perera, Additional Director Dr. G.G. Shanthasiri, Professor Saman Halgamuwe of the University of Melbourne, officials in the field, scientists, teachers and a large number of school students.
Prime Minister’s Media Division