Partners convene for stronger digital impact in Sri Lanka

High level representatives at the forum

Development and private sector partners at the event  

Co-conveners of the DPI donor dialogue  

• Strengthening Sri Lanka’s digital public infrastructure through collective engagement 

Digital public infrastructure (DPI) is a critical enabler of digital transformation, fostering economic growth, improving service delivery, and enhancing social inclusion. 

With its commitment to fostering and further strengthening the country’s DPI, the Government of Sri Lanka, through the Technology Ministry, is currently working with multiple stakeholders to advance the digital transformation agenda.

One of the most promising ways to dramatically improve a country’s ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improve the lives of millions is through the implementation of DPI. Countries with safe and inclusive DPI can respond swiftly and effectively to crises. It can enable them to have innovative solutions such as digital payment platforms, which can bring more people into the financial system and transform economies.

With this motivation in mind, the Technology Ministry, the Presidential Secretariat Support Unit facilitated by the Gates Foundation, and the United Nations Development Program  (UNDP) in Sri Lanka in partnership with the Prime Minister’s Office Sri Lanka and the World Bank, together with Citra Lab and Connect to Care, convened a DPI donor engagement dialogue. 

The forum attracted the participation of over 40 key national and international stakeholders joining from London, Paris, New York, Washington DC, New Delhi, Manila, Estonia, Norway, and Singapore, held in a hybrid format. The event complemented the recently held ‘DPI Donor Forum’ in Paris. 

Speaking at the forum, President’s Chief of Staff and National Security Advisor Sagala Ratnayaka noted: “The Government of Sri Lanka is committed to digital transformation, taking steps at a policy and programmatic level to boost the economy and the services it gives to the people of Sri Lanka. A strong DPI will support the country in building forward, increasing accessibility and efficiency, and we are grateful to all partners that have come together on donor engagement to further this agenda.”

The donor forum sought to build consensus amongst key stakeholders, mainly within the development and donor communities, on the importance of DPI for Sri Lanka. The goal is to develop a portfolio of DPI initiatives, and work together to create larger, collective impact through effective support for DPI initiatives. 

This dialogue also complements UNDP’s recently launched ‘DPI in Action’ series which is bringing together local partners, primarily from the public sector, to build an enhanced understanding around DPI, and brainstorm about joint initiatives that will further DPI adoption in Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister’s Secretary Anura Dissanayake noted: “The country is currently championing multiple catalytic initiatives in relation to digital transformation and this donor dialogue is a timely initiative. Sri Lanka has a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional development and achieve ambitious development objectives. By investing in a robust DPI, Sri Lanka can unlock significant benefits for its citizens, Government, and economy.”

Gates Foundation DPI Director Sanjay Jain highlighted: “Sri Lanka is at a good starting point to strengthen its DPI and must look at building minimal components that can be complemented and used in multiple ways. We must begin with the use cases that will enable the services that the country will offer to its citizens.”

Furthermore, Sri Lanka is one of the first-mover countries in the global ‘50-in-5’ campaign, a country-led initiative that aims to help countries design, launch, and scale components of their DPI for achieving the SDGs.

UNDP in Sri Lanka Resident Representative Azusa Kubota highlighted: “Recognising Sri Lanka’s commitment to advancing its digital agenda and the significance of DPI in achieving national development objectives, UNDP continues to support the effort through its expertise in leveraging technology for sustainable development. This forum brings multiple stakeholders to build consensus and help optimise the unique role played by them in propelling DPI adoption in Sri Lanka.”

UNDP Chief Digital Office Digital Programs Head Keyzom Ngodup Massally added: “The discussions in Sri Lanka reflect the growing interest in DPI across countries, and the importance of coming together as diverse stakeholders to mobilise resources for sustainable adoption of DPI. Besides getting the technological aspect right, ensuring safeguards upfront is necessary for preserving and protecting people’s rights at every step of their digital journey. Sri Lanka’s commitment to universal DPI safeguards reflects the growing commitment of local digital ecosystems to sustain development for 

everyone.”