Speaking on the initiative, Weeraratne highlighted that while Sri Lanka has a wealth of talent and innovative ideas, the country has yet to develop a complete startup ecosystem. He identified limited access to venture capital, misalignment between academic research and industry needs, and policy bottlenecks as major obstacles holding back growth.
“The Startup Fund will serve as a catalyst for innovation-driven enterprises, enabling them to access the financial and technical support necessary to scale beyond local boundaries,” Weeraratne said.
The government expects the fund to strengthen entrepreneurship, create new jobs, and position Sri Lanka as a competitive player in the global digital economy.
