The Sri Lankan government aims to develop the IT sector to bring it in line with developed nations of the world. As part of its ICT transformation strategy, free limited Wi-Fi has been provided in public places with plans to extend this to all state universities as well. The government is committed to developing a comprehensive Digital Development Strategy during the next three years which will include telecommunication and digital infrastructure development, a step towards its vision of a ‘digitally empowered nation’.

In February 2016, Google successfully carried out initial testing for its Project Loon in Sri Lanka, making it the first country in the world to have internet access covering the whole country with the government support.

Sri Lanka is now working closely with Microsoft Corporation in expanding its longstanding partnership to assist the public sector in its IT transformation. The government is looking at empowering key public sectors including education, healthcare, urban development and finance through this partnership.

Sri Lanka is moving towards becoming a technology hub in the region. Global associations such as Google and Microsoft along with a continued drive from the government will pave the path towards this vision.

For more information on recent developments in the Sri Lankan context, please email,

Chamath Peiris
Manager Higher Education and Education Services
Chamath.Peiris@britishcouncil.org and siemsouthasia@britishcouncil.org