India-Sri Lanka Innovation Forum launched to strengthen startup and technology collaboration

November 13, 2026 at 1:24 PM
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By Newswire Editorial

The India-Sri Lanka Innovation Forum was officially launched in Colombo on Thursday (12), aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in technology, innovation and startups through private sector partnerships.

According to a statement issued by the Indian High Commission in Colombo, the forum was launched in the presence of Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, with the participation of leading corporate representatives and innovation networks from both countries.

The business-led forum will bring together industry leaders, startup incubators and investment funds to support startups, develop joint projects and strengthen connections between the innovation ecosystems of India and Sri Lanka.

The launch was attended by representatives from Dialog Axiata, John Keells Holdings, Hayleys, Hemas Holdings and Sunshine Holdings, alongside innovation organisations including Trace Expert City, nVentures, Hatch, SLASSCOM, Lanka Angel Network and Yarl IT.

Senior representatives from IIT Madras Pravartak, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Atal Innovation Mission and Nasscom also participated virtually.

The Indian High Commission said the initiative builds on growing cooperation between the two countries in technology and innovation, including partnerships between Startup India and Sri Lanka’s ICTA (GovTech).

It highlighted several recent initiatives, including the extension of Nasscom’s ‘Disha’ programme for technology SMEs to Sri Lanka, making it the first country outside India to benefit from the programme.

IIT Madras Pravartak has also conducted a six-week capacity-building programme for Sri Lankan startups and signed agreements with SLASSCOM and Dialog.

Other initiatives include the launch of Atal Innovation Mission’s Tinkering Labs in Sri Lanka on November 4 and the establishment of a wireless technology research and development centre involving Indian, Finnish and Sri Lankan institutions.

The High Commission said the new forum is expected to build on these partnerships and create further opportunities for private sector-led innovation and technological cooperation between the two countries. (Newswire)