Sri Lanka to unveil AI legislative roadmap in coming months

• Aims to bridge regulatory gaps
• Roadmap is designed to mirror successful international models seen in countries such as Singapore and Estonia

Sri Lanka is set to release a comprehensive white paper outlining its legislative roadmap for artificial intelligence (AI) within the next two to three months, according to AI Advisory Committee Chairman Dr. Romesh Ranawana.

He made this announcement in Colombo yesterday, at the SME Forum organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

This move is a step towards establishing a clear regulatory framework for the rapidly evolving field of AI in the nation.

Joining a panel discussion, Dr. Ranawana emphasised the proactive approach Sri Lanka is taking towards AI regulation and safety.

“Currently, some aspects are covered by the existing laws, while others are not and the aim is to bridge these gaps,” he stated. 

The forthcoming white paper is expected to provide a clear direction for addressing these AI-specific concerns and ensuring responsible development and deployment of the technology.

This legislative initiative is a crucial component of Sri Lanka’s broader national AI strategy, a collaborative effort involving the private sector, government and international organisations such as the World Bank and United Nations Development Programme. 

Dr. Ranawana highlighted that this strategy, developed over the past six months and overseen by a new AI Advisory Committee under Dr. Hans Wijesuriya, is designed to mirror successful international models seen in countries such as Singapore and Estonia. The core objective is to leverage AI for the positive impact of both the Sri Lankan population and its national economy.

According to him, the national AI strategy is built upon five foundational pillars: enhancing data availability, developing a wide range of AI skills, ensuring access to necessary infrastructure, building local research and development capacity and increasing public awareness about both the risks and substantial benefits of AI.

Dr. Ranawana noted a current global tendency to focus on the potential dangers of AI over its practical applications and a significant lag in adoption compared to the global trends. He stressed the importance of understanding AI’s business impact and its potential to improve lives.

The strategy will also focus on two main pillars for achieving impact: enhancing public service delivery and driving private sector AI adoption across enterprises of all sizes. A key aspect will be providing the necessary resources and training for private sector adoption within a secure and trustworthy ecosystem, governed by responsible AI practices and public involvement.

“All efforts must align with the core principles of inclusive, responsible, trustworthy, transparent and human-centric AI, ensuring that technology benefits people and is impact-driven,” Dr. Ranawana asserted.

While acknowledging that the foundational work in areas like digital infrastructure, data and skill development takes time, he explained that the strategy employs a two-track approach. This involves sustained capacity development alongside a focus on immediate opportunities to generate a quicker impact.