The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Japan, in collaboration with the Export Development Board, successfully organized the Japan–Sri Lanka ICT Business Matching Event 2026 at the Minato City Industrial Promotion Center in Tokyo, bringing together leading stakeholders from Sri Lanka and Japan to strengthen collaboration in the digital sector.

The event featured the participation of 10 leading ICT companies from Sri Lanka—Adventa, Bileeta, Calcey, EFutures, Effective, Imara, Kingslake, Lonnslab, Synergy, and Zillione—and attracted over 50 representatives from Japanese IT companies and key Japanese institutions. Official partners for the event included the Japan External Trade Organization, Minato City Industrial Promotion Center (MCIPC), the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Japan Institute for Overseas Investment.

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan, Prof. Pivithuru Janak Kumarasingha, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting Sri Lanka’s emergence as a trusted and competitive player in the global ICT sector. He noted that the industry is now the second-largest export earner, generating over USD 1.5 billion annually. He further emphasized Sri Lanka’s strengths in software development, artificial intelligence, data analytics, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and research and development, supported by a highly skilled workforce of over 85,000 professionals.

Guest remarks were delivered by Senior Director of the Japan External Trade Organization, Yuji Ando, who emphasized the unique advantages of Sri Lanka’s ICT sector, including strong communication skills, international project experience, and cultural compatibility with Japan. He noted that Sri Lankan companies adopt a collaborative approach that goes beyond outsourcing, contributing to problem-solving, requirement analysis, and innovation.

Ando further highlighted Sri Lanka’s strategic positioning within South Asia, offering an optimal balance of technical capability and ease of collaboration for Japanese businesses. He also pointed out that, amid Japan’s projected IT talent shortage, Sri Lanka’s growing pool of skilled professionals presents a valuable opportunity for long-term partnership.

The event also featured remarks from Deputy Director of the Minato City Industrial Promotion Center, Atsushi Nishioka; Director of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Shino Masao; and Assistant Director of the Export Development Board, Dinesh Attanayake, along with participation from officials representing the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Institute for Overseas Investment.

The Ambassador warmly welcomed the strong turnout of Japanese companies, including prominent firms such as Nikkei Inc., Fujitsu, Toppan, Highreso, Metatechno, and Arosence, among others.

The program included a company showcase by Sri Lankan ICT firms followed by extensive B2B networking sessions. Over 400 business-to-business (B2B) meetings were successfully facilitated between Sri Lankan and Japanese companies, enabling direct engagement and concrete exploration of partnership opportunities.

The event was coordinated by First Secretary (Commercial) of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Japan, Sandun Sameera, under the guidance of the Ambassador.

This successful initiative marks a significant step forward in strengthening Sri Lanka–Japan ICT cooperation, fostering innovation, and building sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships in the digital economy.