Dialog Govi Mithuru and University of Ruhuna Partner to Advance Agricultural Innovation

Hon. K. D. Lalkantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation of Sri Lanka, joined representatives from Dialog Axiata PLC and the University of Ruhuna at the Govi Mithuru AI showcase during the International Symposium on Agriculture and Environment (ISAE) 2026.
From left: Asanga Priyadarshana, Group Chief Corporate Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC; Senior Prof. P. A. Jayantha, Vice Chancellor, University of Ruhuna; Senior Prof. G. Y. Jayasinghe, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna; Hon. K. D. Lalkantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation of Sri Lanka; Senior Prof. K. L. Wasantha Kumara, Vice Chairman, University Grants Commission; Supun Weerasinghe, Director / Group Chief Executive, Dialog Axiata PLC; and Dr. Romesh Ranawana, Group Chief Analytics and AI Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC.

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s #1 connectivity provider, together with the University of Ruhuna and Chakra Labs, has entered into a partnership through Dialog’s Govi Mithuru platform to advance agricultural research and innovation, combining academic expertise, digital technology and industry collaboration to develop practical solutions for Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector.

Introduced in 2015 and endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Govi Mithuru began as a mobile-based agricultural advisory service and was enhanced with AI capabilities in 2025, evolving into Sri Lanka’s first AI-powered agriculture platform. Today, it provides cultivation guidance, weather updates, crop information, market prices, AI-powered chat and voice assistance, pest and disease identification, and agricultural expertise in Sinhala, Tamil and English. The platform can be accessed via the Govi Mithuru app, by dialling 616, or through govimithuru.lk.

Demonstrating the potential of the collaboration, an AI-powered agricultural robot developed by Dialog Axiata PLC, the University of Ruhuna, Chakra Labs and Japan’s Shibaura Institute of Technology was showcased at the International Symposium on Agriculture and Environment (ISAE) 2026, held at Cinnamon Grand Colombo. Building on Govi Mithuru, the robot is designed to autonomously navigate agricultural fields, monitor crop health, identify selected pests, diseases and nutrient deficiencies using AI, and deliver targeted treatment to affected areas.

Powered by Dialog 5G Ultra, with over 1,000 live 5G sites across all 25 districts, the solution enables real-time transmission of field imagery, live video and AI-generated crop health insights, supporting remote monitoring and data-driven agricultural practices.

Organised by the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, ISAE 2026 was held under the theme “Data-Driven Green Agriculture Transition: From Healthy Soils to Healthy People,” bringing together local and international stakeholders to explore emerging challenges and opportunities across agriculture, sustainability and innovation.

The presence of Hon. K.D. Lalkantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, at ISAE 2026 further highlighted the growing role of technology in supporting Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector. The collaboration builds on Govi Mithuru’s journey, extending Dialog’s use of AI and connectivity to support knowledge-driven agricultural solutions.

Senior Professor P. A. Jayantha, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna, said, “This partnership creates an important opportunity to translate research and academic expertise into practical applications that can address real-world agricultural challenges. By combining the University’s research capabilities with Dialog’s technology and digital expertise, we can create new opportunities for innovation while strengthening the contribution of academia to the future of Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector.”

Supun Weerasinghe, Director / Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC, said, “Technology has the potential to transform how we address some of the most fundamental challenges facing Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector. Through this collaboration with the University of Ruhuna, we are bringing together connectivity, AI and academic expertise to explore practical solutions that can support greater productivity, resilience and sustainability. It reflects our continued commitment to using technology to enrich and empower Sri Lankan lives and contribute meaningfully to the country’s digital future.”