The Internet Governance Forum Sri Lanka (IGF Sri Lanka) 2026 was held on 23 September 2026, bringing together stakeholders from government, industry, academia, civil society and the technical community. Launched in 2016, the national initiative aligns with the mission of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (UN IGF) and provides a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration on issues shaping the future of the Internet in Sri Lanka. This year’s event was held under the theme, ‘Empowering the Internet in the Age of Intelligence through Multistakeholderism’.
LIRNEasia Senior Research Manager Gayani Hurulle moderated the session on ‘Internet Governance and Digital Economy’. Panelists included Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Secretary, Ministry of Digital Economy (MoDE); Conrad Dias, Chairman, LOLC Finance; Upendra Pieris, CEO, Orel IT and Yash Agarwal, Regional Manager, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
LIRNEasia Research Manager Gayani (moderator) engages with panelists in the session ‘Internet Governance and the Digital Economy’
During the session, Gayani engaged the panelists with questions which explored the strengths and opportunities involving the digital economy landscape in Sri Lanka. The panelists discussed Sri Lanka’s Digital Economy Blueprint and its five targets for 2030, digital payment adoption, and new lending models to support emerging forms of work. They also explored the impact of AI on Information Technology (IT) and the Business Process Management (BPM) industry, proposed labor law changes and implications for worker protection, and ICANN’s efforts to bring new voices into internet governance. Thereafter, the panel discussion included a Q&A session with the audience.
Below are some snapshots taken from the event.
Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Digital Economy (MoDE) at the Internet Governance Forum Sri Lanka (IGF Sri Lanka) 2026
From Left to Right: Gayani Hurulle (Senior Research Manager, LIRNEasia); Conrad Dias (Chairman, LOLC Finance); Waruna Sri Dhanapala (Secretary, Ministry of Digital Economy); Eranga Weeraratne (Deputy Minister, Ministry of Digital Economy); Upendra Pieris (CEO, Orel IT); Yash Agarwal (Regional Manager, ICANN); Kasun Tharaka Wickramasuriya (UN IGF Country Coordinator for Sri Lanka)
Audience at the panel discussion on Internet Governance and Digital Economy
