AI data centres planned to position Sri Lanka as regional hub

Procurement processes are underway to facilitate the development of artificial intelligence (AI) data centre infrastructure in Sri Lanka to meet domestic and regional demand while generating foreign exchange earnings, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne said recently.

The initiative aims to build a community capable of providing AI data centre services to the wider region rather than solely meeting local requirements, Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne noted.

The rising global demand for AI infrastructure presents a timely opportunity for Sri Lanka to position itself as a regional hub for AI-related services, according to the deputy minister.

The global expansion of AI data centres will create another distinct avenue for bringing foreign exchange into Sri Lanka, Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne said.

Sri Lanka’s favourable climate and renewable energy potential could actively help attract investment in sustainable AI infrastructure, the deputy minister noted.

The country possesses strong potential for renewable energy, providing a unique opportunity to develop AI data centres powered by green energy to reduce carbon emissions and set an example for other nations, Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne stated.

Developing a skilled workforce capable of creating AI technologies, rather than solely using them, remains highly important for the country, the deputy minister stressed.

Sri Lanka needs to actively build the specific workforce required to develop these technologies rather than simply utilising existing AI platforms, Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne observed.

The country must also develop its own large language model (LLM) tailored specifically to the local cultural, linguistic, and social context, the deputy minister emphasised.

Preserving the sovereignty of Sri Lanka requires AI technologies and a large language model that accurately reflects national culture, civilisation, and language, Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne added.