•    Hon. Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy 
•    Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy   
•    Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri lanka   
•    Mr. Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Acting Secretary, Ministry of Digital Economy   
•    And other Secretaries and officials from Ministries and local government,   
•    Lead panelist Dr Romesh Ranawana, Group Chief Analytics & AI Officer, Dialog Axiata along with the esteemed panel members,  
•    Development partners and colleagues from UN agencies,  
•    Members of the private sector and academia, and  
•    Distinguished colleagues

A very good evening to you all.

1.    I warmly welcome you to the national launch of one of UNDP’s flagship knowledge products since the 80s, the Human Development Report. This 2025 report is titled ‘A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI.

2.    Sri Lanka’s journey in human development has long been one of resilience, ambition and achievement. In health, education, and life expectancy, we achieved milestones that consistently outperformed expectations given our size and economic constraints. For years, our trajectory was clear: steady, determined progress towards the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals. 
3.    Yet the past few years have reminded us, with stark clarity, that progress is neither linear nor guaranteed. The twin crises of a global pandemic and domestic economic strain disrupted not only our systems but our sense of forward momentum. Sri Lanka, like many others, found itself stalled, at risk of sliding backwards.

4.    And that brings us to today.

5.    The 2025 Report illustrates that this reversal, or at best, stagnation, has unfolded across every region of the world, interrupting what had been a multi-decade trajectory of advancement.

6.    The report warns us that if the sluggish recovery of 2024 hardens into a long-term trend, the world may miss the 2030 development milestone by decades, not years, an outcome that would leave us more vulnerable to economic, political and ecological shocks, while entrenching divisions that we have fought hard to overcome.

7.    And yet, this report is not just a story of setbacks. It’s also a story of choice.

8.    The report therefore narrows in on one of the most powerful forces shaping our collective future: artificial intelligence or AI. Not as a distant disruptor, but as an active presence already reshaping how we live, work, learn and govern.

9.    In Sri Lanka, we are already witnessing the transformation brought by AI. From public health and agriculture, to education, small enterprises, and even digital tools, many powered by AI, are all beginning to influence both the pace and quality of development. This shift presents tremendous promise, but also profound responsibility.

10.    The global survey accompanying the report reveals a surprisingly ready world. While half of all respondents believe their jobs could be automated, a majority, particularly in low- and middle-HDI countries, see this not with fear, but with optimism.

11.    Nearly 70 per cent believe AI will increase their productivity, while two-thirds expect to engage with it in education, health or work within the next twelve months. But access alone isn’t the answer; what will matter most is how we use AI - whether we allow it to displace people or empower them.

12.    This is why UNDP is advocating for a human-centered approach to AI—one that upholds dignity, advances equity, and places people at the heart of development.

13.    Sri Lanka is uniquely positioned to lead in this moment; our human capital is strong, our digital ambition is high, and our youth are eager. But we must act with vision. The digital divide is no longer just about devices or internet access, it is about whether people have the capacity, confidence and opportunity to use new technologies to improve their lives. 
14.    This means expanding access to knowledge to platforms that enable innovation, and to institutions that can translate digital potential into inclusive growth, along with access to infrastructure. Particular attention must be given to those who are likely to be left behind – such as the elderly, and to those whose wellbeing is directly affected by digital interaction such as the children and youth.

15.    Here at UNDP Sri Lanka, since 2023, we have recognised the potential of AI in transforming human development and therefore have partnered with the Ministry of Digital Economy to support the formulation of Sri Lanka’s first National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.

16.    This year, UNDP marks 60 years of global partnership for sustainable development, and here in Sri Lanka, we reflect on 58 years of shared progress. This milestone is not about celebrating an institution, but honouring the collective efforts that have advanced peace, resilience, and opportunity for millions.

17.    From empowering women and youth to supporting democratic governance and climate action, UNDP has walked alongside Sri Lanka’s people and institutions, always grounded in partnership and driven by impact.

18.    These achievements are a testament to the long-standing support of our donors and partners. Your trust has enabled us to move from crisis response to long-term development- from recovery to resilience. 
19.    At the heart of UNDP’s mission, Human Development is not just a measure of progress—it’s a call to action to expand people’s choices and capabilities, especially in an age where AI is reshaping what’s possible.

20.    We stand, then, at a crossroads. One path leads to what the report describes as ‘development disappointment’, a world where technology accelerates inequality, disempowers communities, and leaves millions behind.

21.    The other path requires more courage and cooperation, but offers a future where AI becomes a bridge to human possibility, a catalyst for knowledge, resilience and transformation.

22.    In this moment, we are called not simply to adapt, but to lead. If we can rise to this challenge and harness AI to augment what is human, rather than undermine it, we may yet reclaim the trajectory we were on. More importantly, we can still build a development model that is more resilient, more just, and more visionary than anything we have known before.

23.    Sri Lanka’s next leap in human development will not come from chance. It will come from choice. And UNDP remains committed to accompanying all of you in making the right one.

Thank you.