News

UNDP Sri Lanka launches initiative to drive DPI adoption

Published

2 years ago

2024/07/7

Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka speaking at the inaugural session. Minister of Technology, Kanaka Herath, is also in the picture

Countries with a robust digital public infrastructure act as the cornerstone for progress in many developed countries. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these countries secured equitable economic advancements through digital tools. Effective Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has the potential to dramatically improve a country’s overall ability to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and thereby improve the lives of eight billion people by protecting the planet.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Ministry of Technology launched the critical “DPI in Action” series. This series aims to empower government officials and local authorities to accelerate the adoption of DPI in an effort towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The inaugural session of the DPI in Action series explored the nexus between DPI and the tax landscape. This was championed by experts including Alex Cobham, Chief Executive of the Tax Justice Network, who recognised the critical role of DPI towards achieving fair and transparent taxation which would ultimately contribute towards the ambitious development objectives outlined in the SDGs.

Lauren Kahn, Director of Strategy and Research, Public Digital, shared her expertise on digital transformation strategies and how the DPI can be effectively implemented within Sri Lanka’s tax system. Her expertise sparked discussions on achieving innovation through DPI, best practices for implementing e-payment systems, utilising data analytics, and building public trust and transparency through accessible tax information.

During their time in-country, Alex and Lauren both also contributed to the conversations that took place at the first National Tax Dialogue, and the Local Governance Symposium organized by UNDP in Sri Lanka.

Highlighting the importance of Digital Public Infrastructure Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka said: “Around the world, more governments are embracing the notion of DPI as a means to bring about transformational changes in service delivery. This series will be a unique platform to raise awareness amongst Sri Lankan stakeholders and promote an open dialogue on DPI implementation and its targeted outcomes as it requires the whole of the government and whole of the society approach. Through initiatives like the DPI in Action series, UNDP is committed to supporting Sri Lanka in building robust digital ecosystems.”

DPI is a cornerstone for tackling the challenge of keeping up with the complexities of a digitalized economy and minimizing tax gaps. By fostering the adoption of a robust and effective DPI, Sri Lanka can establish the necessary digital foundations towards building a more equitable tax system. The advantages of transformative DPI include streamlining tax filings and payment processes through secure online portals to reduce administrative burdens, better data collection to ensure a fairer system and enhanced transparency.

Recognizing that DPI is an ongoing journey, UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Technology looks forward to continuing these dialogues and providing a platform for all partners to convene and brainstorm effective DPI adoption in Sri Lanka. This series will take up subject areas of national importance at each of the subsequent sessions and will bring together all relevant stakeholders to forge collective ways forward.

Lauren Kahn, Director of Strategy and Research, Public Digital, addressing the event

All News Advertisement

News

Showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Northern provinces and in Anuradhapura, Galle and Matara districts

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/16

Priyan

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 16 MAY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 16 May 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

According to the today’s latest weather analysis, the low-pressure area located northeast of Sri Lanka, still persists. The Department of Meteorology is continuously monitoring the behavior, development and path of the system.

Due to the influence of the above system, Showers or thundershowers will occur at times and cloudy skies are expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Northern provinces and in Anuradhapura, Galle and Matara districts. Fairly heavy showers about 75 mm are likely at some places in these areas. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva and Eastern provinces after 1.00 pm.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

News

Lanka’s eligibility to draw next IMF tranche of USD 700 mn hinges on ‘restoration of cost-recovery pricing for electricity and fuel’

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/16

Thilina Walpola

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Thursday that the completion of Sri Lanka’s combined Fifth and Sixth Reviews, under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), remains subject to approval by its Executive Board, which is expected to meet in the coming weeks.

Addressing a media briefing, IMF Communications Department Director, Julie Kozack, said IMF staff and Sri Lankan authorities had reached a staff-level agreement on 09 April.

She noted that several prior actions must be completed before the programme can be submitted to the Executive Board, including the restoration of cost-recovery pricing for electricity and fuel, measures to protect vulnerable groups, and the completion of financing assurances.

Upon Board approval, Sri Lanka would gain access to approximately US$700 million in financing, Kozack said.

Responding to a question on whether the government’s fuel subsidy scheme — including the Rs. 100 per litre diesel subsidy — was consistent with the IMF’s pricing framework, Kozack declined to comment directly on the measure. However, she reiterated that the programme requires both cost-recovery pricing reforms and safeguards for vulnerable communities.

Kozack also observed that Sri Lanka had recently faced “two very large shocks”, referring to Cyclone Ditwah and the wider external impact of the Middle East conflict, which, she said, had affected both the economy and the public.

Despite these challenges, she said Sri Lanka’s reform programme was yielding positive results, citing strong fiscal performance in 2025, progress in debt restructuring, 5 percent economic growth, and inflation returning to positive territory following a period of deflation.

She reaffirmed the IMF’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s reform agenda, stressing that the institution continues to work closely with the authorities to sustain economic stability and recovery.

News

Sanath Nishantha’s brother sentenced to jail over assault case

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/16

Thilina Walpola

Former Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, Jagath Samantha, was yesterday sentenced to five-and-a-half years’ rigorous imprisonment by the Chilaw High Court after being found guilty of assaulting the Arachchikattuwa Divisional Secretary.

The court also ordered Samantha to pay Rs. 1 million as compensation to the victim, failing which he will serve an additional 24 months in prison.

The case had originally been filed against former State Minister Sanath Nishantha and his brother Jagath Samantha over the assault incident.

However, following the death of Sanath Nishantha, in a road accident on the Katunayake Expressway, on 25 January, 2024, only Samantha appeared before court for the proceedings.

The verdict was delivered after the High Court considered the evidence and submissions presented during the trial.