Business
Kaspersky advocates protecting Sri Lanka’s digital future by combatting vulnerabilities
Sri Lanka’s rapid adoption of digital technologies has ushered in tremendous opportunities for economic growth and innovation. However, this accelerated digitization also exposes critical vulnerabilities in software and infrastructure that cybercriminals eagerly exploit.
According to the Kaspersky Security Bulletin 2024 and the Kaspersky 2024 Threat Statistics Report, exploit-driven threats rose sharply globally, with malicious file detections increasing 14% to 467,000 per day. Trojan activity grew by 33%, and Trojan-droppers surged X2.5 times. The Kaspersky Top Exploited Vulnerabilities 2023–2024 report also shows exploited Linux vulnerabilities more than tripled year-on-year, signaling a clear global rise in exploit-based cyberattacks. These attacks leverage weaknesses in widely-used software, such as operating systems, applications, and drivers, to bypass security controls, implant malware, or steal sensitive information.
Sam Yan, Head of Sales for Asia Emerging Countries at Kaspersky, stresses, ‘‘Many organizations in Sri Lanka still operate legacy IT systems or delay critical security patches, creating ripe conditions for attackers exploiting known vulnerabilities. This vulnerability is compounded by attackers’ consistent use of zero-day exploits, previously unknown software flaws that cannot be patched until they are discovered, leaving organizations exposed on multiple fronts.”
According to Kaspersky, attacks targeting vulnerable Windows drivers showed an upward trend for Q1 and Q2 2025: There was a 25% growth in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024 and an 8% growth in Q2 2025 compared to Q2 2024, with these drivers being exploited for ransomware and APT campaigns. Meanwhile, Linux systems face growing threats as critical vulnerability registrations surged threefold in 2023 compared to the 2019-2022 average, reflecting Linux’s expanding adoption in enterprise environments. Yan warns, “The diversity of IT environments in Sri Lanka, from government departments to private firms, means a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. Organizations need tailored vulnerability management strategies that include continuous patching, automated scanning, and employee training.”
Furthermore, macOS users are not immune. New spyware and backdoors targeting Apple devices emerge constantly, highlighting the expanding attack surface. Yan adds, “Sri Lanka’s cybersecurity ecosystem must evolve from reactive defense to proactive threat hunting and response. Investments in threat intelligence platforms and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools can drastically reduce the window of vulnerability.”
He advocates public-private cooperation, saying, “Combating software vulnerabilities requires a unified effort. Government agencies, tech vendors, and cybersecurity firms must collaborate on information sharing and rapid response protocols.”
In 2024, Sri Lanka experienced 9,218 phishing attacks that impersonated financial institutions to target businesses. This substantial threat volume demonstrates the need for organizations to implement regular penetration testing and cyber drills to identify vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.
To protect yourself and your business from ransomware attacks, consider following the rules proposed by Kaspersky experts: Do not expose remote desktop/management services (such as RDP, MSSQL, etc.) to public networks unless absolutely necessary and always use strong passwords, two-factor authentication and firewall rules for them. Promptly install available patches for commercial VPN solutions providing access for remote employees and acting as gateways in your network. Always keep software updated on all the devices you use to prevent ransomware from exploiting vulnerabilities. Pay special attention to the outgoing traffic to detect cybercriminals’ connections.
Senior business leaders, economists and international development experts, alongside the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, will headline the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026, organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on 12 and 13 October at the Shangri-La Colombo.
The Summit will open with a keynote address by T. Krishnakumar, Chief Executive Officer, Reliance Consumer Products Ltd, who brings more than four decades of experience in the consumer brands and FMCG sectors. Having previously served as President of Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, with extensive experience in building businesses and driving growth across emerging markets, Krishnakumar, more popularly known as Kk, now leads Reliance Consumer Products as it expands across categories and builds new customer, partnership and market opportunities.
Day 2 will bring together four international perspectives across discussions on economic resilience, regional connectivity, sector growth and digital transformation.
Lilia Aleksanyan, Senior Country Economist for Sri Lanka at the Asian Development Bank, will open the day’s discussions with a focus on Sri Lanka’s economic resilience. Her work covers the country’s macroeconomic outlook, policy advice and macro-fiscal and financial-sector reform. Her international policy experience also includes roles at the French Ministry of Finance and the French Central Bank.
The Summit will then turn to Sri Lanka’s connections with regional markets, with P. D. Singh, Chief Executive Officer, India & South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, delivering the keynote for the session on trade corridors and value chains. Singh counts close to three decades of experience in banking and finance, with senior leadership roles spanning Standard Chartered, JPMorgan Chase Bank and HSBC.
The Sector Deep Dives will bring international perspectives to discussions on healthcare and energy.
Tushar Shroff, Chief Financial Officer, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd, will deliver the keynote for the healthcare discussion, drawing on more than three decades of experience in corporate finance, strategic investment and financial transformation. His career spans senior finance and leadership roles with ABB, Piramal Healthcare, Intas Pharmaceuticals and Vedanta Group, giving him a broad perspective on the business and investment decisions shaping the healthcare sector.
For the energy-focused deep dive, Edore Onomakpome, Regional Infrastructure Industry Manager for Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal at the International Finance Corporation, will bring extensive experience in infrastructure investment and project finance across emerging markets. Since joining IFC in 2013, she has held senior roles across Africa and South Asia, including managing IFC’s infrastructure portfolio across 16 countries.
The Summit will conclude its keynote programme with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who will deliver the keynote for “Nation Building in the Digital Age.” The Prime Minister also oversees the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, bringing a direct policy perspective to discussions on digital transformation, innovation, education and the skills needed for a changing economy.
Together, these perspectives will bring regional, international and policy insight to SLEIS 2026 as Sri Lanka considers how to strengthen economic resilience, attract investment, deepen regional connections and develop new sources of growth.
Held under the theme “Positioning Sri Lanka in a Changing Global Economy: Resilience, Reform, and the Future of Economic Policy,” SLEIS 2026 will take place on 12 and 13 October 2026 at the Shangri-La Colombo.
The Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026 is supported by its valued sponsors and partners. Platinum Sponsor – Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka, Gold Sponsor – VISA Worldwide (Pvt) Ltd., Bronze Sponsor – South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd., Strategic Development Partner – Asian Development Bank, Telecommunication Partner – Dialog Telecommunication, Television Partner – Dialog Television, Session Sponsors – David Pieris Motor Company (Pvt) Ltd., Hemas Holdings PLC, Sunshine Holdings PLC, International Construction Consortium (Pvt) Ltd., Microsoft Sri Lanka (Pvt) Limited, Official Logistics Partner – Hayleys Advantis Limited, Official Airline – SriLankan Airlines Ltd., Official Hospitality Partner – Shangri-La Colombo, Airline Partner – China Eastern Air Holding Co. Ltd.
Registrations for SLEIS 2026 are now closed. The Ceylon Chamber looks forward to welcoming participants to the discussions on Sri Lanka’s future trajectory on 12 and 13 October.
Commercial Bank of Ceylon has launched ‘Prestige’, a three-tier banking proposition aimed at high-net-worth (HNW) clients, combining wealth management, advisory services and lifestyle benefits.
The initiative replaces the bank’s existing ‘Elite’ private banking brand with Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond tiers, designed to cater to customers according to their wealth profiles and banking relationships.
The bank said Prestige would provide dedicated relationship managers, priority branch services, preferential rates on loans and deposits, enhanced card privileges, family banking programmes and offshore account solutions.
Its wealth and investment management services include access to capital-protected income solutions, dual-currency investments, institutional deals and estate and portfolio governance.
Clients will also have access to specialist financial and corporate advisory services, including assistance with international relocation, overseas property and capital repatriation.
The programme includes lifestyle benefits such as VIP airport lounge access, travel concierge services, property management and medical coordination, as well as access to selected art and culinary events.
The bank said its flagship Prestige banking residence at R.G. Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 07, had been refurbished, with the service to be extended to other economically important cities.
Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Sanath Manatunge said Prestige was intended to support customers in managing their wealth, business interests, family needs and long-term legacy.
Existing Elite clients are being transitioned to the new programme, the bank said.
Ceylinco Life has rewarded 80 members of its sales force with overseas tours to Vietnam and China for their outstanding performance in the company’s 2025 sales competitions.
The group comprised 62 sales achievers who travelled to Vietnam and 18 who visited China.
The Vietnam tour included visits to Hanoi’s Ho Chi Minh Complex, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Hoan Kiem Lake. The group also travelled to Ha Long Bay, where they went on an Aurora Cruise and explored attractions including Sung Sot Cave, Luun Cave and Titop Island.
The tour also featured a sunset party aboard the cruise, with music and refreshments.
The 18 achievers who travelled to China visited several of Beijing’s major historical and cultural attractions, including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. They also took a boat ride on Kunming Lake.
A highlight of the China tour was a visit to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, including a round-trip cable car ride. The group also attended an acrobatic show at Chaoyang Theatre and visited the Panda Garden at Beijing Zoo.
The company said the tours were organised to recognise and reward sales personnel for their performance and achievements.
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