About — AI SGE Sri Lanka

Our Story

Why We Were Formed

The Sri Lanka AI SGE Chapter was founded to address a critical gap: as AI systems rapidly penetrate Sri Lanka's economy and society, the local conversation about safety, governance, and ethics has lagged far behind.

Globally, a network of 77+ AI safety chapters has emerged — spanning universities, think-tanks, and community groups across every continent. Sri Lanka's chapter connects local practitioners to this movement, ensuring that South Asian voices contribute to the global conversation about AI's trajectory.

We are not a course provider or a certification body. We are a community of curious, responsible people — students, researchers, engineers, and policymakers — who believe that getting AI right matters deeply for Sri Lanka's future.

🎯 Chapter Goals

✦ Build awareness of AI risks and governance challenges in Sri Lanka
✦ Connect local practitioners with the global AI safety community
✦ Advocate for responsible AI governance frameworks in national policy
✦ Provide accessible entry points for students and non-technical audiences
✦ Host reading groups, webinars, and policy roundtables

Context

Why Sri Lanka Needs This

🚀 Rapid AI Adoption

Sri Lanka's IT sector employs over 100,000 professionals and is growing. AI is being deployed in finance, healthcare, agriculture, and public services — often faster than governance can respond.

🏛️ National Policy Gaps

While a National AI Strategy exists, the ethical and safety frameworks to implement it responsibly are still forming. Community advocacy helps shape these frameworks before they calcify.

💡 Global Bridge

Sri Lanka can bridge Global South perspectives with international safety standards, ensuring technologies are equitable, fair, and locally aligned.

💧

The Digital Bisokotuwa

"Artificial Intelligence is a high-pressure resource, much like the water in our ancient reservoirs. Without regulation, it destroys. With the right 'Bisokotuwa' (Valve Pit), it nourishes a nation."

Just as the ancient Bisokotuwa was an engineering marvel designed to regulate massive water pressure and protect the dam, our SGE framework acts as the "Digital Bisokotuwa" for Sri Lanka. We are not building brakes to stop innovation; we are building trusted rails to allow high-speed progress without derailing our social cohesion or cultural identity.

Plain Language

What is AI Safety, Governance & Ethics?

A straightforward explainer — for students, researchers, policymakers, and curious citizens in Sri Lanka.

🛡️ AI Safety — "Will it do what we want?"

AI Safety focuses on building AI systems that behave as intended — even in unexpected situations. It asks: what happens when an AI is more capable than its designers anticipated? How do we prevent accidents, misuse, or systems that pursue goals we didn't actually want?

Think of it like engineering safety standards — before we build bridges, we have codes that prevent collapse. AI Safety is developing those standards for intelligent systems.

⚖️ AI Governance — "Who decides the rules?"

AI Governance asks: who gets to decide how AI is built, deployed, and regulated? It covers national AI policies, international cooperation frameworks, corporate accountability, and regulatory oversight.

In Sri Lanka's context, this means ensuring that local needs and values are reflected in both national AI policy and in the global frameworks that will increasingly govern AI systems used here.

🧭 AI Ethics — "Is it fair and right?"

AI Ethics examines the moral dimensions of AI — Are systems biased against certain groups? Are decisions transparent and explainable? Do people have recourse when AI harms them?

For Sri Lanka, this includes ensuring AI doesn't replicate or amplify existing societal inequalities — whether in credit decisions, hiring systems, or public service delivery.

The Team

Core Members

The people behind Sri Lanka's AI Safety, Governance & Ethics Chapter.

Vidura Bandara Wijekoon

Chapter Lead & Operations

Ensuring effective execution of chapter initiatives and operational excellence. Focused on building a robust infrastructure for AI safety advocacy in Sri Lanka.

Indika Hiran Wijesinghe

Chapter Lead & Strategy

Leading the strategic direction and long-term vision of the AI SGE Chapter. Driving Sri Lanka's high-level engagement with the global AI safety movement.

Tharaka Mahabage

Chapter Lead & Advisory

Providing strategic advisory and building regional partnerships. Focused on cybersecurity expertise, ethical alignment, and connecting local practitioners with global policy frameworks.

Piyumi Hettiarachchi

Tech & Community Lead Undergraduate Track

Computer Engineering practitioner with AI/ML expertise, governance-focused industry experience, and award-winning research driving responsible AI community leadership in Sri Lanka.

Mithukshan Sivakumaran

Branding & Partnerships Lead

Driving the chapter's brand identity and strategic partnerships across industry and academia. Connecting the AI SGE community with organizations invested in responsible AI in Sri Lanka.

Our Chapter, Our Mission