News – IGF Sri Lanka

IGF Sri Lanka 2026 to Bring Together Diverse Stakeholders to Shape the Future of Internet Governance

The Internet Governance Forum Sri Lanka (IGF Sri Lanka) is set to convene its 2026 edition on 23 September 2026 in Colombo, bringing together government representatives, industry leaders, technical experts, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders to engage in dialogue on emerging issues shaping Sri Lanka’s digital future.

Launched in 2016, IGF Sri Lanka is part of a national initiative aligned with the mission of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (UN IGF) to promote meaningful, inclusive and multistakeholder dialogue on the development and use of the Internet. Over the years, the national forum has provided a platform for stakeholders from diverse sectors to exchange perspectives, identify emerging challenges and opportunities, and contribute to discussions on Internet governance and digital development in Sri Lanka.

The 2026 edition will be held under the theme:

“Empowering the Internet in the Age of Intelligence through Multistakeholderism”

The forum will provide a platform to explore how rapid advances in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and the evolving digital economy are influencing Internet governance, rights, security, inclusion, innovation and society.

The programme will feature four thematic tracks and four high-level panel discussions, bringing together more than 20 distinguished speakers and panelists representing different sectors and areas of expertise.

The event is expected to attract participants, including government officials, industry and business leaders, members of the technical community, civil society representatives, academia, young professionals and representatives of communities that are often underrepresented in digital policy discussions.

Through these discussions, IGF Sri Lanka 2026 aims to strengthen dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders and contribute to a more inclusive, secure, sustainable and people-centred digital future for Sri Lanka.

The forum will continue the spirit of the global Internet Governance Forum by providing an open space where diverse perspectives can be shared, emerging challenges can be examined, and opportunities for cooperation can be identified in shaping the future of the Internet.

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IGF Sri LAnka 2024

In line with the IGF Sri Lanka 2024, LKSIG has initiated a preliminary session series focusing on key thematic areas and related key topics which will be discussed in the IGF Sri Lanka 2024 main forum.

Preliminary session for Tech IGF 2024

The first preliminary session for Tech IGF 2024 in line with IGF Sri Lanka 2024 organized by the Lanka School on Internet Governance (LKSIG) will be held on the 12th of September 2024.

Preliminary session for Women IGF 2024

The first preliminary session for Women IGF 2024 in line with IGF Sri Lanka 2024 organized by the Lanka School on Internet Governance (LKSIG) was held on the 10th of August 2024.

The LKSIG has successfully conducted the first preliminary session for the IGF 2024, focusing on the crucial role women play in shaping and leading social media. This event, brought together a diverse group of experts and participants to explore the challenges and opportunities women face in the digital landscape.

The session featured a distinguished panel of speakers, including:

Dilrukshi Gamage – Senior Lecturer at the University of Colombo School of Computing
Umali Thilakarathna – Renowned artist and celebrity in Sri Lanka
Samantha de Soysa – Attorney at Law and policymaker

The discussion was skilfully moderated by Mr. Prishantha Welatanthrige from Women In Need, an organization dedicated to supporting women in Sri Lanka.