Hexaware taps Sri Lanka’s tech talent to power global AI ambitions

WESTERN PROVINCE, SRI LANKA — Hexaware is betting on Sri Lanka’s young and tech-driven workforce to fuel its next phase of artificial intelligence (AI) growth, positioning the country as an emerging hub for global technology services.

Hexaware’s youth-driven talent development strategy in Sri Lanka

Hexaware, a $1.4 billion IT services company with over 31,000 employees worldwide, planted its first roots in Colombo last year with a small 30-member team. The measured start gave the firm space to learn the market and build a feel for Sri Lanka’s business landscape before expanding further.

Now, the company is doubling down. It has a talent development model for youth and talent, called the Mavericks program, which collaborates with universities to equip early-career professionals with technical and workplace skills. 

During the interview with Echelon, Hariharan Padmanaban, Country Head of Hexaware Sri Lanka, said the approach is about more than just hiring; it is about ensuring sustainability. 

“I think it would be a great arena for the talent of Sri Lanka. See, today I feel that the youngsters are tech savvy enough and they are very intelligent,” he noted.

Embedding AI into real-world workflows

Hexaware’s focus is not on adopting AI for the sake of novelty but on embedding it directly into client workflows. 

From governance frameworks to outcome-driven measurement, the company emphasizes practical use cases where AI can drive efficiency and reduce costs. 

This hands-on strategy, according to Padmanaban, ensures teams and clients see tangible benefits instead of abstract promises.

The company is also vocal about Sri Lanka’s potential as a global services center, highlighting opportunities in data modernization, cybersecurity, and deeper collaboration between academia and industry. 

The country could become a prominent participant in the competitive outsourcing landscape by coordinating the adoption of technology, education, and policy, according to a report from Mea Tech Watch. 

Looking ahead, Hexaware has set its sights on growing revenues of $1.4 billion, with Sri Lanka playing a key role in that expansion.

Sri Lanka’s roadmap for innovation

The investment of Hexaware in Sri Lanka underscores a more general trend in outsourcing, which is a transition from cost efficiency to innovation-driven growth. Companies are increasingly expected to provide transformative technologies in addition to back-office support. 

Sri Lanka has the potential to become one of the most dynamic development stories in the industry if it can cultivate its talent and connect it to global opportunities.