- The LKNOG 9 Conference opened on 21 July 2025 at the historic Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with an opening ceremony featuring traditional Sri Lankan customs.
- Keynote speeches focused on AI’s impact on network infrastructure and the internet’s resilience in the face of disruptions, with presentations from Dhanika Perera, Prof. Roshan Ragel, and others.
- Afternoon sessions explored 5G, AI-driven security, and network automation, with experts offering practical insights into the future of network engineering.
The first day of the LKNOG 9 Conference set the stage for a week of learning and networking, with an opening ceremony showcasing Sri Lankan traditions. Keynote sessions covered the growing role of AI in network infrastructure, while afternoon discussions addressed key topics such as 5G and AI-driven security. The day ended with a session on segment routing and an evening gathering, emphasising the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in the region’s network community.
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Opening ceremony: A cultural welcome and collaborative spirit
The LKNOG 9 Conference kicked off on 21 July 2025 at the renowned Galle Face Hotel in Colombo. The event began with a cultural welcome, including Sri Lanka’s national anthem, an oil lamp lighting ceremony, and a traditional welcome dance, all of which set a warm tone for the day. Host Asela’s opening speech emphasised the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing, followed by fellowships awarded by René Fichtmüller of FlexOptix. This ceremony highlighted the inclusive nature of LKNOG, welcoming both local and international network professionals to the forum.
Keynote sessions: AI and internet infrastructure
The first day featured a series of impactful keynote speeches, beginning with Dhanika Perera, the Founder of Helakuru, who addressed the crucial role of robust internet infrastructure in the age of artificial intelligence. This was followed by Prof. Roshan Ragel’s session on “Gen AI for Network Engineers,” where he explored the potential of AI in revolutionising network engineering. In the afternoon, Lia Hestina from RIPE NCC presented on the Baltic Sea cable outage, highlighting how the internet adapted to such a disruption. These sessions provided attendees with a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities that new technologies present for network operators.
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Afternoon Sessions: Innovation and practical solutions for network engineers
The afternoon of Day 1 offered valuable technical sessions, with Shalika Halpandeniya from Dialog discussing 5G’s potential to transform Sri Lanka’s digital landscape. Dumindu Karunanayaka from SLT followed with a presentation on AI-driven security measures for data centres. Other topics included measuring internal bandwidth and effective DDoS defence strategies for the cloud era. The day concluded with Dakshina Hettiarachchi from Superloop speaking on segment routing, closing with an informal evening gathering at Breeze Barracuda, offering attendees the opportunity to continue discussions in a relaxed setting.
