News
Data Protection Authority to be established next year to protect country’s vital interests
Sri Lanka would establish a Data Protection Authority in 2023 to regulate the negative effects of digitization, State Minister of Technology, Kanaka Herath, told the media, in Colombo, on Monday.
The data protection authority will take swift action to protect the privacy of citizens from the adverse effects of digitization, he said.
State Minister Herath said steps have also been taken to improve cyber security in government agencies.
Forty three institutions maintain 124 critical national information technology systems that affect the country’s national security, public welfare, economy, and health, he said.
“These systems must be protected from cyber-attacks. Along with the establishment of the Data Protection Authority, steps will be taken to improve cyber security of 10 government institutions, including the Immigration and Emigration Department, the Department of Registration of Persons, Sri Lanka Customs, and the Foreign Affairs Ministry,” he said
Based on the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance worth Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers.
This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 November 2025.
The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 December, as a program of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.
The Situation Report released by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) at 6:00 AM today (13th December 2025) confirms that 640 persons have died and another 211 persons are missing due to flooding and landslides that took place in Sri Lanka within the past two weeks.
A meeting between representatives of UNICEF and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was held on the 10th of December at the Prime Minister’s Office.
During the discussion, an initial review of the new digitalization policy draft was conducted, and it was emphasized that the new digital policy must be formulated to align with the ongoing education reforms.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the digital policy should be developed in a way that supports all five core pillars of the current education reforms, including curriculum reform, infrastructure development, and administrative restructuring.
It was further noted that the current draft is primarily focused on curriculum-related matters, and the digital policy should be structured to influence the overall education reform process.
Extensive discussions were also held on the importance of digital literacy, NEMIS, the provision of digital infrastructure, and minimizing the existing digital divide.
Attention was also drawn to the gaps in the current teacher training mechanisms , and the Prime Minister stressed the need to reduce paper usage.
The meeting was attended by the UNICEF representatives Dr. Emma Brigham and Deborah Wyburn, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary A.B.M. Ashraff, and several other officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Pregnant Mothers to receive Rs 5000 Nutrition Allowance in December
640 deaths, 211 missing as at 6:00AM today (13)
New Digitalization Policy draft reviewed
The government is taking steps to streamline trade facilitation, customs processes, investment approvals, and improving export facilities – Prime Minister
Showers will occur in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva, Central and North-Western provinces.
Big fossil fuel companies are responsible for climate crisis but poor countries like Sri Lanka are battered by it – Greenpeace South Asia
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features3 days agoFinally, Mahinda Yapa sets the record straight
-
News5 days agoOver 35,000 drug offenders nabbed in 36 days
-
News4 days agoCyclone Ditwah leaves Sri Lanka’s biodiversity in ruins: Top scientist warns of unseen ecological disaster
-
Features6 days agoThe Catastrophic Impact of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah on Sri Lanka:
-
News5 days agoRising water level in Malwathu Oya triggers alert in Thanthirimale
-
Features3 days agoHandunnetti and Colonial Shackles of English in Sri Lanka
-
Business2 days agoCabinet approves establishment of two 50 MW wind power stations in Mullikulum, Mannar region
-
Business5 days agoSri Lanka betting its tourism future on cold, hard numbers