Launch of India-Sri Lanka Innovation Forum
India and Sri Lanka enjoy a strong partnership and goodwill across various sectors of the bilateral relationship. Through concerted effort, a distinct new pillar of collaboration has evolved which is focused on technology, innovation and startup collaboration.
During the recent years, significant progress has been achieved in this regard, especially through the collaboration between the private sector and industry on both sides. This includes collaboration between StartUp India and ICTA (GovTech) and exploration of each other’s startup ecosystems. Nasscom’s ‘Disha’ programme for Tech SMEs was extended to Sri Lanka as the first country outside India. IIT Madras Pravartak has run a six-week capacity building and full immersion programme for Sri Lankan startups, and has signed an MoU with SLASSCOM and Dialog PLC. Atal Innovation Forum’s Tinkering Labs was launched on 4th November 2026 in Sri Lanka as a partnership between Hemas Holdings and Nalanda College. The Wireless Intelligence and Innovation Institute of Technology which links IIT Madras Pravartak, IIT Madras Global, University of Oulu (Finland) and Sri Lankan universities in a clean network R&D centre was also launched in June 2026. C-CAMP, India’s leading biotech incubator visited Sri Lanka in September 2026 and is exploring innovation partnerships with Sri Lanka.
With a view to continue the momentum and support private sector led endeavors, the India-Sri Lanka Innovation Forum was launched on 12 November 2026 in Colombo, in the presence of HE Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka. The launch was supported by the presence of corporate leaders including from Dialog Axiata PLC, John Keells Holdings PLC, Hayleys PLC, Hemas Holdings PLC and Sunshine Holdings PLC and prominent innovation- related networks and Centres of Excellence such as Trace Expert City, nVentures, Hatch, Slasscom, Lanka Angel Network and Yarl IT.
Dr. Shankar Raman, CEO, IIT Madras Pravartak, Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, CEO and Director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Dr. Deepak Bagla, Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission and Mr. Maulik Bhansali, Chairman, Nasscom SME Council also joined the event virtually.
The business-led Innovation Forum will bring together business leaders, incubators and funds to support innovation by startups, decide on joint projects and strengthen linkages between innovation ecosystems on both sides.
