By Saman Indrajith

From June this year, mobile phone users in Sri Lanka will be able to retain their existing numbers even after switching mobile network operators, according to officials from the Ministry of Digital Economy.

The announcement was made during a meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Digital Economic Affairs held on Thursday (20).

In a statement issued on Friday, the Parliament’s Communication Division confirmed that the Ministry of Digital Economy is also constructing 50 new mobile signal towers in areas with poor network coverage to enhance connectivity.

The meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, also addressed several key digital policy issues. The discussion included cryptocurrency regulation, with the President stating that a final decision on its legality in Sri Lanka would be based on recommendations from the Governor of the Central Bank.

Other topics covered during the meeting included measures to safeguard citizens’ personal data, strategies for managing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and discussions regarding the salaries of IT engineers.

Meanwhile, the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Digital Economic Affairs is set to hold a workshop on 10 March 2025 to brief all Members of Parliament on upcoming government programmes related to the digital economy.

By Saman Indrajith

Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne informed Parliament on Friday that security-related requests made by Members of Parliament have been referred to the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) for appropriate action.

In a special statement, the Speaker noted that several MPs had approached him seeking enhanced security measures. He stated that the requests, which had been submitted periodically, have now been forwarded to the Acting IGP for necessary consideration.

Additionally, the Speaker announced that he has tabled the report from the Special Committee appointed to investigate complaints regarding the conduct of Jaffna District MP Dr Ramanathan Archchuna.

The Committee, chaired by the Deputy Chairperson of Committees, Hemali Weerasekara, also included Vijitha Herath and R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara.

The report will now be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges for further deliberation.

The 2025 Budget prioritises innovation aiming to transform Sri Lanka into a competitive player in the global innovation landscape, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said on Thursday (20). He emphasised that digitalisation will be a key driver in this transformation, enabling the country to catch up with other nations in the field.

Speaking at the Innovation Island Summit 2025 at the ITC Ratnadipa Hotel in Colombo, the President stated that fostering innovation is essential for Sri Lanka’s economic progress. Hosting this summit in Sri Lanka, he noted, reflects the country’s growing interest in entrepreneurship and the increasing recognition of innovation as a catalyst for development.

The President explained that human civilisation has evolved through different phases, each defined by innovation. While people’s fundamental needs remain unchanged, the ways in which these needs are met continue to evolve, creating new markets and opportunities. He highlighted that countries that have achieved economic success have done so by embracing innovation and adapting to changing global trends, citing neighbouring India as a prime example.

President Dissanayake stressed that Sri Lanka has immense potential in innovation and that the government aims to establish a strong digital infrastructure by 2030. He reaffirmed that the current Budget places innovation at its core, with a focus on commercialising new discoveries to drive economic growth.

The President projected USD 19 billion in export revenue for this year, emphasising that a major transformation in the innovation sector is necessary to achieve this target. He asserted that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that the benefits of innovation reach the entire population and that many of the administration’s long-term goals are directly linked to advancements in technology and digitalisation.

He acknowledged the challenges Sri Lanka faces in the global economic arena and underscored the need for greater digitalisation and innovation to remain competitive. Calling on international partners and investors, he invited new investments into the country, assuring that Sri Lanka has already built a positive business environment for innovation. He also highlighted the availability of a skilled workforce that can support this transformation, further strengthening the country’s position in the global innovation ecosystem.