Empowering SMEs with AI: Highlights from Scale Up Sri Lanka 2025

Colombo, 21 May 2025 – With artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping industries around the world, the question of how Sri Lanka’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can stay competitive in the age of AI took centre stage at Scale Up Sri Lanka 2025, the country’s largest SME forum, held recently at Taj Samudra, Colombo.

Organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with key government agencies, development partners, and private sector leaders, the forum featured a dynamic session titled “How to Keep Up in the Age of AI”. The session brought together thought leaders and practitioners from Sri Lanka’s growing AI ecosystem to provide local, practical perspectives on how AI can empower SMEs—right now.

The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Romesh Ranawana, Chairman of the National AI Advisory Committee. Drawing on real-world examples from across the country, he demonstrated how AI can improve customer service, boost productivity, and enable smarter business decisions. He noted that many SMEs are already using AI unknowingly—through WhatsApp automations, Facebook ad targeting, or Google tools—and that the real challenge now is moving from passive to intentional use. Dr. Ranawana also used the platform to announce a major milestone: Sri Lanka will unveil its first-ever AI legislative roadmap in the coming months, designed to align with global standards while being tailored to local needs.

Joining him on the panel was Ms. Sanjini Munaweera, also a member of the AI Advisory Committee, who provided tangible, ground-level insights on how SMEs can begin adopting AI, even with limited budgets. She highlighted accessible tools for content creation, customer communication, and business automation, and spoke to the need for awareness-building and local-language support to make AI truly inclusive.

Mr. Mevan Peiris, Chief Executive Officer of Hatch, served as the session moderator. He steered the discussion toward practical entry points for AI adoption, encouraging businesses to “start small” by automating routine tasks and gradually scaling their digital transformation. His focus on simplicity, experimentation, and locally relevant innovation resonated strongly with the audience.

In addition to practical insights, the session spotlighted policy developments critical to Sri Lanka’s AI journey. Dr. Ranawana elaborated on the forthcoming AI strategy, developed over the past six months under the leadership of Dr. Hans Wijesuriya. He noted that the strategy is inspired by successful global frameworks from countries like Singapore and Estonia, and is rooted in the goal of using AI to benefit both the Sri Lankan population and the national economy.

The national strategy is guided by five core focus areas: improving data availability, developing AI-related skills across sectors, strengthening access to infrastructure, fostering local research and development, and building public awareness about both the opportunities and risks of AI. Dr. Ranawana emphasised the need to shift from viewing AI only through the lens of risk to understanding its transformative business value.

The strategy also highlights two key pathways for national impact—enhancing public service delivery and driving responsible private sector adoption, particularly among SMEs. To support this, the roadmap will outline how institutions can provide the resources, training, and governance frameworks necessary to foster AI innovation within a secure and trustworthy environment. Importantly, it will be underpinned by the principles of inclusion, transparency, and ethical use.

In closing, the panel echoed a shared message: AI is no longer a luxury reserved for large corporations. With the right awareness, tools, and support, it is now an affordable and powerful enabler for SMEs across Sri Lanka—from hospitality and agriculture to health and retail.

As Sri Lanka moves forward in its digital journey, the session made one thing clear: embracing AI can unlock real, measurable impact for small businesses—and ICTA, alongside its partners, is committed to making that future a reality.