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16th National Cyber Security Conference 2025 in Colombo
The 16th National Cyber Security Conference of Sri Lanka, with the theme “Building a Trusted and Cyber Resilient Nation,” will be taking place on 12 November at the Water’s Edge hotel in Battaramulla, said Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eng. Eranga Weeraratne.
Addressing a press conference held at the Department of Government Information on Friday, the minister said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake would be the Chief Guest of the event which will host over 400 participants, including both national and international representatives.
This national event is jointly organized by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT), bringing together policymakers, industry professionals, academics, technology experts, and representatives from government, private sector, corporate organizations, NGOs, and universities, said the Minister.
This year’s focus is centered on the sub-theme “Shaping Policy, Enabling Practice, and Strengthening National Response Capacity” reflecting the country’s strategic direction to enhance cyber preparedness, digital trust, and national resilience in an era of increasing cyber threats. The conference aims to continue building strong multi-stakeholder collaboration, where every sector takes an active role in cybersecurity development and capacity enhancement.
Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy, will give the opening remarks for the conference, emphasizing cybersecurity as the cornerstone of economic expansion and global competitiveness. This will be followed by a Special Address from Dr. Kanishka Karunasena, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka CERT, who will discuss the implementation of Sri Lanka’s National Cyber Security Strategy. Takafumi Kadono, the Asian Development Bank’s Country Director for Sri Lanka, will give the keynote address, which will focus on global cybersecurity trends shaping national preparedness.
The Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, will deliver a speech on strengthening public trust in digital systems. Additional guest speeches, thematic sessions, and fireside discussions will explore national cyber governance, critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity law and data protection frameworks, online safety, operational resilience, global cyber defense collaboration, and the responsible use of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Cloud computing, and Quantum systems.
Several panel discussions will examine cybersecurity as a foundation of digital economic growth, legal readiness for a digital nation, public online safety, and the secure adoption of emerging technologies. Experts from multiple sectors will contribute to these panels to support evidence based national policy and institutional development.
This year’s conference is supported by key industry sponsors. Dialog Enterprise serves as the Principal Sponsor, while Check Point partners as the Platinum Sponsor. Fortinet joins as the Gold Sponsor, TikTok partners as the Strategic Partner for Online Safety, and Sentry Labs supports as the Silver Sponsor. The collaboration of these organizations reflects the shared commitment to advancing national cybersecurity and public digital protection in Sri Lanka.
The National Cyber Security Conference continues to be one of Sri Lanka’s most significant platforms for driving collective national action in cybersecurity. The 2025 edition is expected to play a transformative role in strengthening institutional capabilities, raising public awareness, and promoting responsible digital innovation for the future.
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Landslide RED warnings continue to be in force for the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya
The RED Landslide Early Warnings issued by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organization [NBRO] to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya have been extended until 1600hrs today [06th December 2025]. Landslide Early warnings have also been issued to the districts of Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matara, Monaragala and Ratnapura,
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LEVEL III RED warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Gangawata Korale, Deltota, Doluwa, Thumpane, Medadumbara, Minipe, Pathahewaheta, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Akurana, Udunuwara, Panvila, Pathadumbara, Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Ududumbara, Poojapitiya, Harispattuwa and Udapalatha in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Dehiowita, Warakapola, Deraniyagala, Bulathkohupitiya, Ruwanwella, Yatiyanthota and Aranayaka in the Kegalle district, Narammala, Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Rideegama and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district, Rattota, Wilgamuwa, Ukuwela, Pallepola, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district, and Nildandahinna, Walapane, Hanguranketha and Mathurata in the Nuwara Eliya district.
LEVEL II AMBER warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Passara and Haldummulla in the Badulla district, Nuwara Eliya, Ambagamuwa Korale, Thalawakele, Norwood, Kothmale West and Kothmale East in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Godakawela and Kolonna in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka and Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Elpitiya and Yakkalamulla in the Galle district, Mirigama, Attanagalla and Divulapitiya in the Gampaha district, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya and Horana in the Kalutara district, Athuraliya and Pasgoda in the Matara district, Bibile and Medagama in the Monaragala district, and Kiriella, Nivithigala, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Pelmadulla, Elapatha, Balangoda, Openayake, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Ratnapura and Kaltota in the Ratnapura district.
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IMF pledges additional aid to Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah destruction
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Thursday, signalled strong solidarity with Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, confirming that it is actively exploring options to provide further support for recovery and resilience beyond the existing Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
Julie Kozack, Director of the IMF’s Communications Department, opened her remarks with heartfelt condolences:
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the people of Sri Lanka for the effects of the devastating cyclone. Our hearts mourn the loss of life that has taken place,” she said, extending condolences to other Asian nations also grappling with severe flooding, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
On Sri Lanka, Kozack emphasised that the IMF is closely engaging with authorities, development partners, and counterparts to assess the humanitarian, social, and economic toll of the disaster.
“Large parts of Sri Lanka have been affected by floods, and we expect economic activity to be adversely impacted, in addition to the significant human toll,” she noted.
The IMF is awaiting the completion of a rapid post-disaster damage assessment, led by Sri Lankan authorities, in collaboration with international partners, to better gauge the economic impact.
“We are continuing to support Sri Lanka’s recovery, reform, and resilience under the EFF arrangement. Our staff is looking into options to further support Sri Lanka in the recovery process,” Kozack confirmed.
She reiterated that the Board meeting, scheduled for 15 December, remains on track, following the staff-level agreement on the fifth review reached in October—prior to the cyclone.
“We will provide additional details as the assessment of economic needs and damages moves forward, and as we have more information to inform our thinking around the options,” she added.
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Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir was sworn in as a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List Member of Parliament before Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (05).
His appointment follows the resignation of SJB Parliamentarian Muhammathu Ismail Muththu Mohamed, who stepped down from his position on 28 November.
The SJB subsequently nominated Thahir to fill the resulting vacancy.
Accordingly, the Election Commission issued a Gazette Extraordinary declaring Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir a Member of Parliament, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, as amended by Section 6 of the Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 35 of 1988.
With the issuance of the gazette, and the subsequent swearing-in, Thahir has officially assumed duties as a National List MP, representing the SJB.
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