By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Sri Lanka has sought China’s
support to establish a National Sovereign Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Computing Centre as the two countries explore ways to strengthen bilateral
cooperation in AI and the digital economy.
The discussions took place
during a meeting on 14 October at the Ministry of Digital Economy in Colombo
between Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eng. Eranga Weeraratne,
and China’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Wei Huaxiang.
The meeting focused on Sri
Lanka’s digital transformation and digital economy priorities, strengthening
bilateral relations through AI and the digital economy, and seeking Chinese
government support for the proposed computing centre and a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) on AI between the two countries.
Waruna Sri Dhanapala,
Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy, said a draft MoU on digital
cooperation was being prepared in consultation with relevant authorities,
including the Ministry of Finance, the Attorney General’s Department and the
leadership of GovTech. The work follows visits to China by Sri Lanka’s
President and Prime Minister over the past two years.
Ambassador Wei expressed
interest in the research and development initiatives and skills development
proposed by the Deputy Minister. He also indicated his willingness to share
technical knowledge and expertise relating to the proposed AI Computing Centre.
Referring to open-source AI
platforms highlighted by China’s President at the World AI Conference 2026,
Weeraratne said he had also participated in the conference. He noted that Sri
Lanka still lacked the physical infrastructure required to fully implement
sovereign AI technology but had made progress through small-scale AI data
centres designed to safeguard citizens’ data.
The Deputy Minister outlined
progress in AI adoption within the Department of Government Draftsman,
Parliament and other government institutions, while seeking China’s assistance
in establishing a national-level data centre.
Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief
Presidential Adviser on the Digital Economy, said Sri Lanka had secured
significant benefits through the technological dimension of the longstanding
diplomatic relationship between Sri Lanka and China.
The meeting was also
attended by Tang Yandi, Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese
Embassy; Lu Wenjing, Third Secretary of the Economic and Commercial Office;
Meng Yue; Li Xinwei; and Faiz Saleem, Director General (Planning) at Sri
Lanka’s Ministry of Digital Economy.
