TRACE - Sri Lanka

TRACE - Sri Lanka We're an Innovation Hub that's Technologically Re-Awakening a Culture of Excellence in Sri Lanka 🇱🇰

“Technologically Re-Awakening a Culture of Excellence” (TRACE) is a pioneering organisation deeply committed to cultivating an environment of innovation and collaboration in Sri Lanka. By encouraging creativity synergies, technological advancements and entrepreneurship, TRACE is steering Sri Lanka towards becoming a globally recognised hub of innovation. The organisation’s philosophy revolves arou

nd nurturing ideas and transforming them into tangible, impactful realities. With the vision “to move Sri Lanka up the value chain through Technology and Innovation by Technology Re-awakening A Culture of Excellence in Sri Lanka”, TRACE has been working tirelessly to promote its vision in Sri Lanka. Since 2014, TRACE has been expanding its ecosystem to various locations, beginning with TRACE Expert City, Colombo 10, and expanding to BREAD Center - Makandura, TRACE Creator Space - Ratnapura, TRACE - HomeTree Co-Working Space and many more. TRACE is one step closer to making Sri Lanka a Tech and Innovation Hub of Choice in South Asia!

03/09/2026

Ida and Thea from our TRACE International Internship Program ✨

TRACE Angel Meetup Connects Investors with Sri Lanka’s Startup EcosystemOn August 18, 2026, TRACE Expert City gathered i...
03/09/2026

TRACE Angel Meetup Connects Investors with Sri Lanka’s Startup Ecosystem

On August 18, 2026, TRACE Expert City gathered investors, startup founders, and ecosystem builders at The Third Place Cafe for an exclusive Angel Meetup. Running from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, the event laid vital ground for the upcoming TRACE Angel X Pitching Day, fostering meaningful connections within Sri Lanka’s expanding startup ecosystem.

The evening opened with welcome drinks as investors arrived, followed by introductory remarks detailing the vision behind TRACE Angel X. The briefing highlighted the program's core objective of building a structured pipeline to connect promising early-stage Sri Lankan ventures with high-impact investments.

Guest speaker Heminda Jayaweera delivered a focused session on the realities and dynamic potential of early-stage investing in Sri Lanka. Highlighting emerging market opportunities, his talk provided practical perspectives on navigating risk, supporting founder talent, and capitalizing on high-growth regional sectors.

The formal presentations transitioned into an interactive fellowship segment, giving investors a dedicated space to exchange deal flow experiences and explore co-investment strategies. The evening concluded with a relaxed hopper dinner, bridging formal deal discussions with authentic local networking.

31/08/2026

Transforming education starts with putting the learner at the center. 💡

In this insightful clip, Dr. Sankalpa Gamwarige—Innovative Digital Transformation Partner & Tech Talent Enabler—shares his perspectives on driving a student-centric approach to education and preparing the next generation of tech talent for an evolving digital landscape.

Check out the full video to explore how tailored learning models can empower students and reshape the future of talent development! 👇

How is AI reshaping global power dynamics? What does the future of international AI policy look like?Join CSF’s Young Pr...
31/08/2026

How is AI reshaping global power dynamics? What does the future of international AI policy look like?

Join CSF’s Young Professionals in Public Policy(YPPP) platform and TRACE Expert City for an exclusive session with Dr. Harinda Katugaha - Data & AI Advisor to UN leaders, two-time tech founder, and expert on AI governance (Doctorate, SDA Bocconi; EMBA, INSEAD).

With experience leading tech projects across 18+ countries and advising 50+ startups, Dr. Katugaha will share critical insights into the intersection of technology, geopolitical strategy, and governance.

🗓️ Date: 2nd September (this Wednesday)
⏰ Time: 5pm
📍 Location: Bay 12
👉 Register here: https://forms.gle/qQsmipS6ymPBdzJ46
Seats are limited so be sure to register!

Networking meets relaxation at TRACE Expert City! 📈✨Taking a step back to unwind, connect with peers, and foster communi...
28/08/2026

Networking meets relaxation at TRACE Expert City! 📈✨

Taking a step back to unwind, connect with peers, and foster community within our ecosystem makes all the difference. Here’s a look back at the vibrant atmosphere from our Midweek Boost session at The Third Place—complete with live acoustic performances by Chris & Avishka, board games, and great food! 🎸☕

Events like these remind us of the power of community, collaboration, and taking time to recharge together.

Beyond First Effects: Rethinking Policy with Rohan Pethiyagoda 💡Every action triggers a cascade. When we design policies...
24/08/2026

Beyond First Effects: Rethinking Policy with Rohan Pethiyagoda 💡

Every action triggers a cascade. When we design policies solely for an immediate fix, second-order effects often rewrite the ultimate outcome a classic example being how widening roads often attracts more traffic, recreating the very congestion it aimed to solve.

At a recent session held at TRACE Expert City, taxonomist and public policy thinker Rohan Pethiyagoda delivered an insightful guest lecture titled “We Can Never Do Merely One Thing.”

Dr. Pethiyagoda explored how decision-makers must look beyond immediate outcomes and account for systemic feedback loops, human behavior, and evidence-based science.

Key Highlights from the Session:

Beware the First-Order Trap: Immediate solutions frequently trigger unintended secondary consequences that can neutralize the initial goal.

Evidence Over Mandates: Complex policy shifts require extended transition periods, rigorous data, and scientific consultation to protect national outcomes.

Behavioral Nudges: Sustainable change comes from aligning policies with human psychology rather than relying on top-down directives.

📸 Swipe through the album to catch key moments and highlights from the session!

Rohan Pethiyagoda Explores the Unintended Consequences of Decision-Making and Public PolicyIn his guest lecture on the 1...
24/08/2026

Rohan Pethiyagoda Explores the Unintended Consequences of Decision-Making and Public Policy

In his guest lecture on the 18th of August 2026 at TRACE Expert City titled “We Can Never Do Merely One Thing,” taxonomist and public policy thinker Rohan Pethiyagoda presented an insightful framework on decision-making. Every action triggers a cascade of second-order effects, unintended, often complex consequences that can completely alter or neutralize the initial objective.

The foundational principle of Pethiyagoda’s address is best illustrated by a classic urban planning paradox, widening roads to eliminate traffic often attracts more drivers, ultimately recreating the same congestion it was designed to fix. When decision-makers focus solely on immediate, first-order results, they risk missing crucial systemic realities.

Pethiyagoda examined key policy shifts in Sri Lanka to demonstrate the broad impact of secondary dynamics. In evaluating economic measures, he detailed how sweeping fiscal adjustments and increased liquidity, compounded by external factors like the pandemic, can fuel hyperinflation and create widespread social and economic ripple effects.

A central example of these dynamics in action was the 2021 nationwide transition toward organic farming. Introduced with the goal of addressing health concerns such as Chronic Kidney Disease (CKDu), the rapid directive highlighted the delicate balance required between health initiatives and agricultural output. Without an extended transition period or extensive scientific consultation, the sudden change led to a sharp decline in rice and tea yields. Pethiyagoda emphasized the necessity of reliance on data-driven research, noting that international bodies like the WHO and FAO establish safety standards for agricultural inputs based on rigorous evidence.

Ultimately, effective governance relies on moving beyond top-down mandates toward an understanding of human psychology. Pointing to subtle interventions, such as the famous fly sticker in Amsterdam airport urinals that drastically improved cleanliness, or Sri Lanka’s success with community blood donation drives on Poya days, he argued that aligning with human behavior yields far more sustainable outcomes. Policy design must always account for behavioral science, evidence, and long-term systemic feedback loops.

23/08/2026

🌱 Rooted in Sri Lanka. Connected to the world.

Project Root’s Cohort 3 journey came to a meaningful finale at BAY 07, TRACE Expert City, bringing together stories, ideas, and opportunities to give back to Sri Lanka.

Over 2 weeks, the cohort travelled across Colombo, Maskeliya, and Kegalle, engaging with 8 local partners and 350+ community members.

The finale at BAY 07 celebrated their journey and Project Root’s vision of reconnecting the Sri Lankan diaspora with their heritage, communities, and opportunities back home. ✨

Read More: https://tracesrilanka.lk/posts/finding-your-way-back-how-project-roots-is-reconnecting-sri-lankans-around-the-world-with-home

From roots to new possibilities-the journey continues.

Video Designed By: Achini Inushika

Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management Students Explore Food Technology at BREAD Centre Students and academic ...
21/08/2026

Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management Students Explore Food Technology at BREAD Centre

Students and academic staff from the Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management recently undertook an insightful educational visit to the TRACE BREAD Center Wayamba in Makandura, bridging the gap between theoretical agricultural concepts and practical industrial application.

The primary objective of the field visit was to provide undergraduate students with direct exposure to advanced food processing techniques, product development strategies, cutting-edge food technology, and agri-entrepreneurship. Upon arrival, the visiting group was formally introduced to the center’s core objectives, state-of-the-art facilities, ongoing activities, and specialized services. The orientation highlighted the BREAD Centre's pivotal role in empowering food-based entrepreneurs through comprehensive training, raw material processing, and strategic value addition.

A key highlight of the tour was the guided walkthrough of the processing floor, where students observed specialized machinery and automated infrastructure in action. Expert instructors demonstrated a wide array of industrial equipment, including units designed for filling, sealing, packing, dehydration, pasteurization, extrusion, and vacuum packing. By seeing both semi-automatic and fully automated systems operating in real time, the students gained a clear understanding of machine functionality, operating principles, and the crucial role each stage plays in ensuring product quality, extended shelf-life, and strict food safety standards.

Beyond observing operations, the field visit served as a vital link between farm-gate agricultural raw materials and high-value consumer products. Interactive discussion sessions allowed students to engage directly with technical specialists on key topics such as packaging innovations, machinery utilization, quality assurance, and commercial product development. Students actively participated by asking targeted questions, clarifying technical nuances, and discussing the practical mechanics of scaling up farm produce into marketable goods.

By moving beyond traditional classroom lectures, this experiential visit supplied the students with invaluable real-world knowledge, inspiring them to explore future careers and entrepreneurial ventures in the modern food technology sector. The educational programme concluded with an interactive closing discussion, where faculty members and students expressed their appreciation before departing the BREAD Centre.

A much-needed midweek recharge! ☕🎸🎲Here’s a look back at our TRACE Midweek Boost hosted at The Third Place, TRACE Expert...
06/08/2026

A much-needed midweek recharge! ☕🎸🎲

Here’s a look back at our TRACE Midweek Boost hosted at The Third Place, TRACE Expert City.

From relaxing acoustic acoustic tunes by Chris & Avishka and fun board games to 20% OFF beverages and delicious Kottu dinner specials—it was an evening filled with great food, warm coffee, and amazing company.

Thank you to everyone who dropped by and made the evening special. Stay tuned for our upcoming events! ✨

Address

TRACE Expert City, Maradana
Colombo
0010

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+94701800786

Website

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