Sri Lanka and Lithuania have held high-level bilateral discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation in the digital economy, technology transfer and public sector digital transformation.
The meeting was held on 5 October in Colombo between Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eng. Eranga Weeraratne and Lithuania’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Vidmantas Verbickas, who led a senior Lithuanian delegation.
During the discussions, Deputy Minister Weeraratne highlighted Lithuania’s progress in digital transformation and outlined Sri Lanka’s ambitions under its national Digital Economy Blueprint. The country is targeting a USD 5 billion digital economy, with FinTech innovation and the development of the startup ecosystem identified as key drivers.
Vice-Minister Verbickas welcomed Sri Lanka’s digital ambitions and said there was significant potential for the two countries to strengthen their roles as regional gateways through greater exchange of policy expertise, technical knowledge and tax frameworks aimed at reducing administrative barriers.
He also invited the Sri Lankan Government to participate in the Digital Tech Summit scheduled to be held in Vilnius in 2027, where key areas of focus are expected to include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and GovTech.
The Lithuanian delegation also presented its experience with Open Government Data architecture, which is designed to improve transparency across the public sector. The delegation further highlighted Lithuania’s startup ecosystem and its GovTech Lab model, which enables technology companies to develop solutions to public-sector challenges while working outside some of the limitations associated with traditional procurement processes.
With Sri Lanka planning to establish an AI Training Centre and upgrade its national Data Centre, both sides agreed to explore technical-level cooperation on adapting elements of Lithuania’s GovTech Lab model to support the country’s public sector digital transformation.
Deputy Minister Weeraratne also outlined Sri Lanka’s plans to introduce a national Digital ID by 2027, based on open-source Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) platforms. The Lithuanian delegation shared its experience with the implementation of eID systems, particularly in areas such as secure data governance and storage.
Sri Lanka PM Rings CSE Bell to Promote Financial Literacy and Investor Education
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) joined stock exchanges worldwide in ringing the market opening bell for financial literacy on 5 October 2026, as part of World Investor Week (WIW) 2026.
The ceremony was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and formed part of the global initiative to promote investor education, financial literacy and investor protection.
World Investor Week is an annual international campaign led by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), aimed at raising awareness about the importance of investor education and protection. The “Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy” initiative, pioneered by the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), brings together stock exchanges and financial-market stakeholders globally to encourage informed financial decision-making.
The event also marked the 40th anniversary of the Colombo Stock Exchange, alongside the launch of a new Stock Market Game jointly introduced by the SEC and CSE.
The online simulation platform is based on the ATrad trading system and allows participants to experience how the stock market operates without putting real money at risk. Users can make simulated investment decisions and build portfolios using listed shares, providing a practical way to understand market activity and investment strategies.
The Stock Market Game is available through the SEC and CSE websites and is expected to support wider financial education initiatives. The platform is also planned to be used for simulation competitions among universities and the 100 Capital Market Clubs established in schools across Sri Lanka.
The ceremony further featured the release of a commemorative stamp and First Day Cover celebrating the CSE’s 40th anniversary. The items were issued in collaboration with the Department of Posts and the Philatelic Bureau of Sri Lanka.
The commemorative stamp and First Day Cover were presented to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya by SEC Chairman Snr. Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara and Ray Abeywardena, Director of the CSE and Chairman of Central Depository Systems (CDS).
Speaking at the event, CSE Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike emphasised the importance of relying on credible information when making investment decisions.
He noted that investors operate in an increasingly digital environment where large volumes of information are circulated through social media. While some of this information may be accurate, other content can be misleading or incorrect.
Bandaranaike stressed that investors should therefore exercise caution and obtain relevant market information and data from reliable and responsible sources before making investment decisions.
The event highlighted the importance of strengthening financial literacy and equipping investors, particularly younger generations, with practical knowledge to make informed decisions in Sri Lanka’s capital market.
Sri Lanka and Lithuania Discuss Strengthening Cooperation in the Digital Economy
