UK Digital Expertise and Sri Lankan Business Leaders Unite to Explore Growth Through Technology
Photo: Newswire
Sri Lankan business leaders and representatives from the United Kingdom’s digital sector have met in Colombo to examine how technology can support growth, improve customer engagement and strengthen operational efficiency.
The forum, titled “Turning Digital Assets into Growth Engines,” was hosted by British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick at Westminster House, his official residence in Colombo. It brought together senior figures from Sri Lanka’s retail, banking, telecommunications, hospitality and public sectors, alongside specialists from the UK’s technology industry.
The event highlighted the increasingly important role of digital innovation in the relationship between Sri Lanka and the UK. It also demonstrated the potential for stronger commercial cooperation, new technology partnerships and greater opportunities for Sri Lankan professionals working in the digital economy.
A forum focused on practical business growth
The forum was organised in partnership with the British High Commission and featured Apadmi, a UK digital product consultancy. It marked Apadmi’s first official event in Sri Lanka since the company established its Colombo office in 2025.
The central message was practical: digital tools should not be treated simply as communication channels or technical assets. When managed effectively, apps, customer data, online platforms, loyalty programmes and payment systems can become engines for revenue, efficiency and long-term customer relationships.
Businesses across Sri Lanka are already seeing rapid changes in the way customers search, shop, pay and communicate. The challenge now is to convert that digital engagement into measurable commercial value.
Speaking at the event, High Commissioner Andrew Patrick said digital innovation was becoming an increasingly important part of the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
He also noted that Apadmi’s decision to establish a presence in Colombo reflected confidence among UK companies in Sri Lanka’s digital economy. The High Commissioner expressed optimism about further growth in bilateral technology partnerships.
That confidence is significant for the wider Sri Lanka UK trade relationship. It suggests that cooperation is extending beyond traditional sectors and into areas such as digital product development, data, customer experience, artificial intelligence and technology-enabled services.
Keells Nexus demonstrates the value of digital loyalty
The keynote address was delivered by Niresh Muthuratnanandan, Head of Omni Commerce, Digital and Loyalty at Keells Supermarkets.
He discussed the launch of the Keells Nexus app and the modernisation of a loyalty programme serving 2.9 million members. The case study showed how a well-developed digital platform can connect customer engagement with business performance.
A modern loyalty programme can do more than issue rewards. It can help a business understand customer preferences, improve the shopping experience and offer more relevant services. It can also support communication across physical stores, mobile applications and other digital channels.
For a large retailer, the opportunity is substantial. Customer data can help identify purchasing patterns, improve stock planning and develop targeted promotions. At the same time, customers can benefit from faster access to offers, more convenient transactions and a more consistent experience.
The Keells example also reflects the growing importance of omni-commerce. This means creating a connected customer journey across stores, websites, mobile applications and other points of contact, rather than treating each channel separately.
Industry leaders examine Sri Lanka’s mobile opportunity
A panel discussion was moderated by Mark Collin, Chief Growth Officer at Apadmi. The panel included:
- Malik Induruwana, Chief Information Officer at HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives
- Jiffry Zulfer, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of PickMe
- Uthpala Pinnaduwahewa of Hatton National Bank
- Marcus Hadfield, Chief Strategy Officer at Apadmi
The discussion focused on the commercial opportunities created by Sri Lanka’s rapid adoption of mobile technology.
According to figures cited at the forum, mobile data usage in Sri Lanka reached 1.03 million terabytes during the second quarter of 2026, representing a 31 per cent increase compared with the same period a year earlier. The country also recorded 29.4 million mobile subscriptions, while smartphones and tablets accounted for 71 per cent of devices.
These figures point to a market where mobile access is central to everyday life. Customers increasingly expect businesses to provide quick, convenient and secure services through their phones.
For banks, this may mean improving digital banking and payment services. For retailers, it may involve mobile shopping, personalised offers and integrated loyalty schemes. For transport and delivery businesses, mobile platforms can support bookings, real-time updates and more efficient operations.
The opportunity is not limited to large companies. Small and medium-sized enterprises can also use digital tools to improve customer communication, build online visibility and access new markets.
From digital engagement to measurable results
The forum explored how Sri Lankan companies can turn growing digital engagement into three broad outcomes:
Stronger customer loyalty
Customers are more likely to remain with businesses that offer convenient, reliable and relevant services. Digital platforms can help companies understand customer needs and communicate with them more effectively.
However, loyalty depends on trust as well as technology. Businesses need to protect personal information, provide clear terms and ensure that digital services are simple to use.
New revenue streams
Digital platforms can create opportunities for subscriptions, online marketplaces, premium services and targeted commercial partnerships. They can also allow Sri Lankan businesses to reach customers outside the country.
This may be particularly relevant to companies serving the Sri Lankan community overseas. Businesses with strong local products, cultural knowledge or specialist services can use digital channels to connect with customers in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other international markets.
Greater operational efficiency
Technology can reduce duplication, improve internal communication and help businesses make better decisions. Data analysis and automation can support areas such as stock management, customer service, payments and logistics.
The aim is not to introduce technology for its own sake. The stronger approach is to identify a clear business problem and use digital tools to solve it.
Apadmi reinforces its long-term commitment to Sri Lanka
Mark Collin said the gathering demonstrated the ambition within Sri Lanka’s business community. He also reaffirmed Apadmi’s long-term commitment to the country.
According to Collin, Apadmi established its Colombo office because of its confidence in Sri Lanka’s digital potential and skilled workforce. The company’s presence creates another connection between UK digital expertise and Sri Lankan talent.
Sri Lanka has a growing base of professionals working in software development, design, data, finance, telecommunications and digital operations. Stronger links with UK companies could create opportunities for knowledge-sharing, partnerships, specialist services and international projects.
For Sri Lankan businesses, collaboration with UK companies may provide access to experience in digital product strategy, user experience, technology transformation and international market development. For UK companies, Sri Lanka offers a capable workforce, a dynamic consumer market and a location with established links to regional and global business networks.
What the forum means for the Sri Lankan community overseas
The significance of this development extends beyond Colombo’s business sector.
For the British Sri Lankan community, stronger technology ties can create new connections between companies, professionals and entrepreneurs in both countries. Sri Lankan professionals in the UK may find opportunities to support projects in Sri Lanka, while businesses in Colombo can develop services for international customers.
Diaspora entrepreneurs can also play a useful connecting role. Those who understand both markets may be well placed to introduce UK technology providers to Sri Lankan businesses, or help Sri Lankan companies reach customers and partners in Britain.
The development of Sri Lanka’s digital economy may also support a wider range of careers for young people. Opportunities can emerge in software engineering, cybersecurity, product management, digital marketing, data analysis, customer experience and technology consulting.
These developments are relevant to the broader Sri Lankan community, including students, professionals, families and business owners who want to maintain practical links with the country. Digital technology is making it easier for people to collaborate across borders, share expertise and build commercial relationships without being in the same location.
Readers interested in wider community, business and diaspora developments can follow the eLanka blog. The platform also covers developments connected with UK–Sri Lanka trade and business partnerships.
A constructive step for Sri Lanka technology partnerships
The “Turning Digital Assets into Growth Engines” forum provided a timely platform for business leaders to discuss how technology can support sustainable growth.
Sri Lanka’s increasing mobile usage creates a strong foundation, but the next stage will depend on how effectively organisations use their digital assets. Investment in secure platforms, skilled people, responsible data practices and customer-focused design will be important.
The event also showed that technology is becoming a more visible part of the relationship between Sri Lanka and the UK. With companies such as Apadmi building a presence in Colombo and local businesses developing increasingly sophisticated digital services, further collaboration could benefit businesses, professionals and consumers in both countries.
For Sri Lankan business leaders, the message is clear: digital transformation is no longer only a future ambition. It is already shaping how customers interact with companies, how services are delivered and how new markets can be reached.
For the diaspora, it represents an opportunity to remain connected not only through culture and family, but also through skills, investment, entrepreneurship and shared economic progress.
Original reports
- Daily Mirror: UK digital expertise and Sri Lankan business leaders unite to explore growth through technology, published 23 September 2026
- Newswire: UK, Sri Lanka business leaders explore digital growth opportunities at Colombo forum, published 23 September 2026
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eLanka team