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Tracy
Tracy
Oct 29 2026
33SLIIT Faculty of Computing successfully concluded CODEFEST 2026, the 15th consecutive edition of its flagship national ICT competition, on 24 September 2026 at the SLIIT Malabe Campus.
Held under the theme “Shaping the Intelligent Future,” CODEFEST 2026 reflected the rapid transformation taking place across Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, data, automation, emerging technologies and digital innovation. The competition brought together school and university students from across Sri Lanka, alongside international student participation, creating a platform for young innovators to demonstrate technical knowledge, creativity, problem-solving ability and entrepreneurial thinking.
Prof. Nuwan Kodagoda Deputy Vice Chancellor Faculty of Computing said, “Fifteen years of Codefest is a testament to the curiosity and drive that we foster at SLIIT. Over the years Codefest has grown into a platform to test ideas, where the next generation of technology innovators learn to build, collaborate and lead. We are proud of every participant who has been part of this journey.”
This year’s programme featured 14 competitions covering diverse technology-focused areas, including Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Algorithms, Full-Stack Development, Data Analytics, UI/UX, IoT and Entrepreneurship. The event was further strengthened by an extensive school outreach programme designed to encourage technology, creativity and innovation among the next generation.
Marking its largest edition to date, CODEFEST 2026 recorded strong participation across both tertiary and school sectors. At tertiary level, participation included 38 universities and higher education institutions, comprising 29 Sri Lankan universities and 9 foreign universities. The competition attracted 586 group registrations and 1,929 individual tertiary student participants. International participation included 22 foreign groups and 37 foreign students representing 6 countries, further strengthening CODEFEST’s position as a platform connecting Sri Lankan and global student communities.
At school level, CODEFEST reached 70 schools across 18 districts, with 228 school groups and 755 individual school students taking part. The outreach programme included 43 physical workshops and 21 online workshops, reaching approximately 7,000 students overall.
The grand finale was graced by Chief Guest Mr. Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy, and Guest of Honour Mr. Nilanka Wijesooriya, Vice President – IT Operations at IFS R&D International (Pvt) Ltd. Their presence added further value to the event, inspiring participants to explore the practical applications of technology and innovation.
CODEFEST also reflects SLIIT’s broader commitment to developing future-ready graduates across disciplines. Together with initiatives such as the SLIIT Business School Accounting & Finance Club, inaugurated at the Colombo Stock Exchange, CODEFEST highlights SLIIT’s continued focus on combining academic learning with industry exposure, business awareness, innovation and real-world application.
Commenting on the event, Prof. Anuradha Jayakody, Coordinator – CODEFEST 2026, Faculty of Computing, SLIIT, said CODEFEST empowers young innovators with the knowledge, creativity, confidence and problem-solving skills needed to shape the future. He noted that innovation is not only about adopting new technologies, but also about encouraging young people to identify real-world challenges and create meaningful solutions.
Through its competitions, outreach, industry engagement and international participation, CODEFEST 2026 reaffirmed SLIIT’s role in nurturing Sri Lanka’s next generation of technology talent.
