Sri Lanka’s pavilion emerged as one of the major attractions at the 2026 Lotus Festival in Los Angeles, drawing significant visitor interest during the two-day event attended by more than 5,000 people.As the host country of this year’s festival, Sri Lanka showcased its cultural heritage, tourism attractions and investment in promoting the island as a travel destination to an international audience.

One of the highlights of the event was a visit by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to the Sri Lankan pavilion, which attracted considerable attention from festival-goers.

Visitors were introduced to Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, scenic landscapes, renowned tourist destinations and diverse travel experiences. The Consul General of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles, Achini Perera, also briefed attendees on Sri Lanka’s 30-day free Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) programme available to travellers from 40 countries, including the United States.

A cultural performance organised alongside the festival received an enthusiastic response from the audience. Traditional performances representing Sri Lanka’s Kandyan, Low Country and Sabaragamuwa dance traditions were staged, highlighting the country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.

The event was attended by Consul General Achini Perera, Deputy Consul General Rekha Mallikarachchi, officials of the Consulate General and a large number of members of the Sri Lankan community in Southern California.

Several distinguished Sri Lankan academics and professionals based in the United States, including Dr. Sarath Gunapala, Professor Dr. Bandula Wijay and Dr. Walter Jayasinghe, were also present at the festival.

Organisers said Sri Lanka’s participation provided an important platform to promote tourism, cultural exchange and people-to-people ties while enhancing the country’s visibility among international visitors attending the Los Angeles event.

Developing countries must be given an equal role in shaping global artificial intelligence (AI) governance frameworks rather than being consulted only after decisions are made, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne has said.

Addressing the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 in Shanghai, China, Weeraratne stressed the need for greater participation of countries in the Global South in international AI decision-making processes.

Delivering a keynote address under the theme “Partnerships for a Shared Future”, the Deputy Minister said AI was already transforming public services and economies worldwide, making it essential to ensure that the benefits of the technological revolution were shared equitably.

“The real issue is not whether society will change, but whether the benefits are shared equitably,” he said.

Weeraratne highlighted Sri Lanka’s efforts to strengthen its digital infrastructure through the DIGIECON 2030 programme, including the development of the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) platform and plans to establish a national AI institute focused on research, ethics and innovation.

He emphasised that developing nations should have the ability to manage their own digital infrastructure while engaging with global AI systems, noting that international AI security and governance standards would only be effective if countries had the capacity to implement them.

“The success of AI should be measured not only by technological progress but by how it improves the lives of ordinary people,” he said.

The Sri Lankan delegation at the summit included Deputy Minister Weeraratne, Digital Economy Ministry advisor Sumudu Ranayake and regional state representatives, alongside digital ministers, technology experts and industry leaders from around the world.

A female Turkish tourist who attempted to take a selfie on the footboard of the ‘Podi Menike’ train travelling from Nanu Oya to Badulla fell off in the Ambewela area, and sustained injuries. She was admitted to the Nuwara Eliya Hospital.

According to Pattipola Police, the young woman was travelling with a group of friends. After visiting Nuwara Eliya, she was journeying on the ‘Podi Menike’ train from Nanu Oya to Badulla when she hung onto the train’s footboard to take a selfie, slipped from the footboard, and met with the accident.

By S.K. Samaranayake