India-Sri Lanka Launch Business-Led Innovation Forum
India and Sri Lanka share a robust partnership marked by growing goodwill and cooperation across multiple sectors. Through joint efforts, a distinct new pillar of collaboration has emerged, centered on technology, innovation, and startup ecosystems.
Over recent years, remarkable progress has been made through active engagement between the private sectors and industries of both nations. This momentum includes collaborative initiatives between StartUp India and Sri Lanka’s ICTA (GovTech) alongside mutual exploration of each other’s startup ecosystems.
Nasscom successfully extended its ‘Disha’ program for Tech SMEs to Sri Lanka, making it the first country outside India to host the initiative.
Additionally, IIT Madras Pravartak conducted a six-week capacity-building and full-immersion program for Sri Lankan startups and signed Memorandums of Understanding with SLASSCOM and Dialog PLC.
Further advancing youth innovation, the Atal Innovation Forum’s Tinkering Labs launched on Nov. 4 in Sri Lanka as a partnership between Hemas Holdings and Nalanda College.
In June 2026, the Wireless Intelligence and Innovation Institute of Technology launched, establishing a clean network research and development center connecting IIT Madras Pravartak, IIT Madras Global, the University of Oulu in Finland, and Sri Lankan universities.
C-CAMP, India’s leading biotech incubator, also visited Sri Lanka in September 2026 to explore promising biotech innovation partnerships. To maintain this momentum and support private sector-led endeavors, the India-Sri Lanka Innovation Forum was launched on November 12 in Colombo.
The launch took place in the presence of His Excellency Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, alongside corporate leaders from prominent organizations such as Dialog Axiata PLC, John Keells Holdings PLC, Hayleys PLC, Hemas Holdings PLC, and Sunshine Holdings PLC.
Representatives from leading innovation networks and Centers of Excellence—including Trace Expert City, nVentures, Hatch, SLASSCOM, the Lanka Angel Network, and Yarl IT—also attended the event.
Virtual participants included Dr. Shankar Raman, CEO of IIT Madras Pravartak; Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, CEO and Director of C-CAMP; Dr. Deepak Bagla, Mission Director of the Atal Innovation Mission; and Mr. Maulik Bhansali, Chairman of the Nasscom SME Council.
This business-led Innovation Forum is designed to unite business leaders, incubators, and investment funds to champion startup innovation, drive joint projects, and strengthen the ties between the innovation ecosystems of both nations.