Countries like ours deserve a seat at the table where AI rules are written says Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne
At the diplomatic-level forum held alongside the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China, Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, delivered a keynote address.
The forum, held under the theme "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future," brought together digital ministers and leading experts from around the world.
Representatives from participating countries discussed the current state of their digital infrastructure, the development of artificial intelligence (AI), and the importance of international cooperation.
In his address, the Deputy Minister emphasized that as AI is already reshaping governments and economies worldwide, developing countries must be given an equal voice in the formulation of the global AI governance framework.
He noted that the real question facing the world today is not whether AI will transform society, but whether the benefits of that transformation will be shared equitably or whether it will instead widen the gap between countries that create the rules and those that are merely expected to follow them.
He stated that Sri Lanka's answer to this challenge is straightforward: global AI governance should be shaped with countries of the Global South seated at the decision-making table from the outset, rather than being informed only after decisions have already been made.
He further stressed that AI can only become a true global partnership if its governing principles are co-created through collaboration.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted that over the past two years, Sri Lanka has established a strong digital foundation and sovereign digital infrastructure through its DIGIECON 2030 National Digital Economy initiative to support the responsible development and use of AI technologies.
He further noted that the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) platform, which forms the foundation for secure AI-enabled services, has already been established. In addition, the Government plans to establish a National AI Institute in the near future to strengthen local capacity in AI research, ethics, and policymaking.
He explained that one of the key principles guiding Sri Lanka's approach to global AI governance is that every country should retain sovereignty over its own data and digital infrastructure while ensuring interoperability with AI systems worldwide.
The Deputy Minister also emphasized that for global AI safety regulations to be truly meaningful, developing countries must be provided with the technical capacity required to implement them. He concluded by stating that the ultimate success of any AI system should be measured not only by technological advancement, but also by the extent to which it improves the lives of ordinary people.
Representing Sri Lanka at the event were Sumudu Ratnayaka, Advisor to the Ministry of Digital Economy, together with a delegation of diplomatic representatives from countries across the region.
