During the India AI Impact Summit 2026, held from February 17 to 20 in New Delhi, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka reiterated his nation’s dedication to fostering responsible, inclusive, and human-centered Artificial Intelligence. The summit, hosted for the first time in the Global South, convened heads of state, international organizations, and technology sector leaders to discuss AI governance guided by the principles of People, Planet, and Progress.

Speaking at the Leaders’ Plenary Session on February 19, President Disanayaka emphasized that the essence of Artificial Intelligence should prioritize humanity. He advocated for the reinforcement of cultural values, protection of individual rights, and ensuring equitable access to opportunities through AI technologies. The president highlighted AI infrastructure as a critical frontier for economic and cultural collaboration, noting the importance of ongoing discussions surrounding rights and safeguards in this domain.

Cultural Dimension and Regional Cooperation in AI

President Disanayaka pointed out the often-neglected cultural aspects of AI, urging that new technologies should maintain linguistic diversity and reflect the shared heritage of various cultures. He remarked that technological progress should empower communities rather than diminish their identities. He proposed a framework for enhanced regional collaboration, focusing on affordable access, the establishment of centrally governed language datasets, common evaluation mechanisms, and integrated capacity development.

By joining the AI Impact Summit Declaration, Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment to ethical, transparent, and people-focused AI development and pledged to cooperate with international partners to maintain inclusive innovation.

Bilateral Discussions on the Sidelines of the Summit

During the summit, President Disanayaka engaged in several high-level bilateral meetings. He conferred with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to discuss expanding cooperation between Sri Lanka and the UAE in various sectors including trade, investment, and AI. Discussions also took place with Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan, where both leaders focused on enhancing ties in culture, education, and youth affairs.

In a dialogue with French President Emmanuel Macron, the two leaders explored opportunities for collaboration in technology, digital innovation, and tourism. President Macron expressed France’s continued support for Sri Lanka, particularly in relation to debt restructuring and recovery efforts post-Cyclone Ditwah. Conversations also occurred with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, concentrating on potential collaboration avenues and South-South engagement, with an invitation extended for President Disanayaka to visit Brazil.

Reviewing Cooperation with India

On February 20, President Disanayaka met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House to assess the progress achieved since the President’s state visit to India in December 2024 and the Prime Minister’s visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025. They discussed strategies to further enhance cooperation across various areas such as trade, energy, connectivity, and digital collaboration. The President expressed gratitude for India’s humanitarian support, especially after Cyclone Ditwah, and for the invitation to participate in the AI Impact Summit.

The AI Impact Summit 2026 brought together policymakers and delegates from over 100 nations, addressing critical themes including human capital, social empowerment inclusion, safe AI practices, and economic development through innovation. Among those accompanying the President were Sri Lanka’s Chief Advisor on Digital Economy, Hans Wijayasuriya, Ministry Secretary Waruna Sri Dhanapala, and officials from the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi.

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