Prof. Premanandana Rajatheva and Dr. Dileepa Marasinghe with the representatives from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne, at the Parliamentary Complex in Sri Lanka.

6G Flagship contributes to wireless and AI research plans in Sri Lanka

Representatives from 6G Flagship, Nandana Rajatheva, Ari Pouttu (joining online), and Dileepa Marasinghe participated in a high-level meeting at the Parliament of Sri Lanka to discuss the establishment of a new independent research and innovation institute focused on next-generation wireless and artificial intelligence technologies in Sri Lanka. The proposed institute will be developed in collaboration with 6G Flagship, IIT Madras, IIT Madras Pravartak, local universities led by the University of Peradeniya and the University of Moratuwa, and industry partners.

The discussions were held with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, the Chief Advisor to the President on the Digital Economy, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, and senior officials from the Ministry of Digital Economy, together with representatives from IIT Madras, University of Moratuwa, University of Peradeniya and Sri Lanka Telecom. 

During the meeting, Prof. Nandana Rajatheva presented the proposal assisted by Dileepa Marasinghe, while Prof. Ari Pouttu highlighted Finland’s global leadership in 6G research through Finland’s national 6G research programme. Prof. David Koilpillai presented the regional technology leadership of IIT Madras, and Dr. Shankar Raman, CEO of the IIT Madras Pravartak Foundation, discussed its successful operational model as an independent research organization. Prof. Kithsiri Liyanage of University of Peradeniya elaborated on the expectations from the government side while Prof. Dileeka Dias provided further rationale for establishing  the institute

The initiative builds on long-standing collaboration between the University of Oulu and Sri Lankan institutions, including over six years of a successful double degree programme with the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and more than 15 years of strong engagement with Sri Lankan graduates who now contribute to the Oulu research ecosystem. As an alumni of the double degree program Mr. Sadeep Batewela, Nokia Finland attended and helped in the facilitation of the meeting.