In an effort to enhance collaboration between Sri Lanka and Japan in the realms of digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI), a significant meeting took place today, the 14th, at the Ministry of Digital Economy. The discussion featured Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, the Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, and a delegation led by Mr. Hara Shohei, the Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Also present were Mr. Waruna Sri Dhanapala, the Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, the Senior Advisor to the President on Digital Economy and Chairman of GovTech, along with Mr. Shigeki Honzu, the Chief Representative of JICA in Sri Lanka.
During the meeting, participants engaged in extensive dialogue regarding bilateral cooperation in two key priority sectors. The Deputy Minister underscored the urgency of expediting the Digital Television Project and addressing the challenges associated with its implementation. Additionally, discussions emphasized the potential for local production of Set-Top Boxes necessary for receiving digital signals, aiming to bolster domestic manufacturing and decrease dependency on imports.
The conversation also included plans for establishing a National AI Data Centre, which would support the development of Sri Lanka’s AI infrastructure for the future. Alongside this initiative, there was a focus on capacity-building efforts, including training programs, creating AI solutions suited to Sri Lankan needs, and sharing international technical knowledge and best practices.
The Ministry of Digital Economy expressed gratitude for the technical assistance provided by JICA, with the Deputy Minister affirming a commitment to progressing these initiatives while further nurturing the partnership between Sri Lanka and Japan.
