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Empowering child protection in Sri Lanka: The fight against cybercrime and AI exploitation

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Children of Sri Lanka

In an increasingly digital world, child protection has evolved into one of the most pressing challenges faced by governments, law enforcement agencies, and civil society. In Sri Lanka, the growing incidence of cybercrime targeting children, coupled with new threats posed by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, has brought the issue of child safety to the forefront.

At the heart of this effort in Sri Lanka is Mr. Prabath Amila Perera, a recognized cybersecurity researcher and digital forensics expert who has been instrumental in addressing child safety challenges in the digital age. His work, along with a growing body of cybersecurity professionals, highlights the urgent need for a robust framework to protect Sri Lankan children from the dangers posed by cybercrime and artificial intelligence-driven exploitation.

The Rising Threat of Cybercrime Targeting Children

Prabath Amila

Cybercrime is no longer confined to traditional hacking or financial fraud; it has expanded to include a wide array of illegal activities, many of which disproportionately affect children. With the widespread use of mobile devices and internet access, children are increasingly exposed to online risks such as cyberbullying, child exploitation, and exposure to harmful content. The disturbing reality is that the internet has become a tool for criminals to exploit vulnerable individuals, and children are often their primary targets.

In Sri Lanka, the rapid adoption of digital technology has created a fertile ground for such crimes. The growing prevalence of internet-enabled devices among children, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, has increased their susceptibility to online predators. This trend is reflected globally, with cyber predators using sophisticated methods to lure children into harmful situations, from online grooming to the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

AI and Automation: A New Frontier of Concern

While cybercrime itself presents significant dangers, the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation has introduced new layers of complexity to child protection. AI-powered technologies, such as deepfakes, can be used to generate hyper-realistic images or videos that could be weaponized for blackmail, exploitation, or abuse. In the context of child protection, AI can exacerbate issues related to the creation and dissemination of CSAM.

Automation and AI are also enabling criminal actors to operate at a scale never seen before. Automated bots, for instance, can scan social media platforms for vulnerable targets, creating vast databases of personal information that can be used for malicious purposes. Moreover, AI algorithms can be used to manipulate children’s behavior online, making them more susceptible to exploitation or harmful content.

In addition to facilitating child exploitation, AI and automation have also made it more challenging for law enforcement agencies to detect and combat such crimes. With the rapid growth of encrypted communications and the dark web, traditional investigative methods often fall short. Thus, while technology has undoubtedly improved our lives, it has also introduced new threats that need urgent attention.

Addressing the Crisis: A Call to Action for Sri Lanka

Recognizing these dangers, Mr. Amila Perera and his peers are advocating for a comprehensive approach to child protection that includes legislative, technological, and educational measures. To combat cybercrime and AI-driven exploitation, Sri Lanka must adopt a multi-faceted strategy that encompasses the following:

Strengthening Laws and Regulations: While Sri Lanka has made progress in child protection laws, there is still a need to introduce stronger legislation that addresses the evolving nature of cybercrime and AI-fueled threats. Laws related to CSAM, child exploitation, and cyberbullying must be updated to reflect modern-day challenges, and enforcement mechanisms must be empowered with adequate resources.

Improving Cybersecurity Infrastructure: In this digital age, it is essential to have strong cybersecurity defenses in place. Public and private organizations, particularly those involved in child protection, need to invest in cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions to identify and mitigate online threats. AI can also be used positively to develop tools that detect harmful content, block abusive behavior, and flag suspicious activity in real-time.

Raising Public Awareness: It is critical to educate parents, teachers, and children about the dangers of the internet. Schools must incorporate cyber literacy into their curriculum, and communities must promote safe online practices. Campaigns that educate the public about emerging AI threats, such as deepfakes and the misuse of automation, will be key to creating a well-informed population capable of protecting itself against new digital risks.

Collaborating with Global Partners: Cybercrime is a transnational issue, and no country can fight it alone. Sri Lanka must strengthen its collaboration with international cybersecurity agencies, child protection organizations, and tech companies. By sharing information, technology, and best practices, Sri Lanka can bolster its defenses against cybercriminals who operate across borders.

The Role of AI in Protecting Children

While AI presents new dangers, it can also be part of the solution. Mr. Amila Perera emphasizes that AI, when used ethically, can be a powerful tool in protecting children from harm. AI-based algorithms can be developed to monitor online behavior, detect inappropriate content, and provide early warnings about potential risks. AI can also assist law enforcement agencies in identifying and prosecuting cybercriminals by analyzing vast amounts of data in real-time.

Tech companies must play a key role in this process by implementing child safety features into their platforms. Automated content filtering, real-time monitoring of interactions, and AI-driven moderation can help make the digital environment safer for children. Additionally, AI tools that detect deepfakes and manipulated content can play a vital role in protecting children from AI-generated exploitation.

A Collaborative Effort for a Safer Future

Child protection in the digital age is not solely the responsibility of government authorities or law enforcement; it is a collective effort that involves educators, parents, tech companies, and cybersecurity experts. In Sri Lanka, Mr. Amila Perera’s leadership and advocacy for child safety in the digital world set an example for how nations can address these challenges effectively.

As Sri Lanka continues to navigate the complexities of a rapidly digitizing world, it must prioritize child safety by integrating AI-driven solutions, enforcing stricter cyber laws, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness. Only through collective action can we ensure that the next generation of children grows up in a digital environment free from harm, abuse, and exploitation.

Prarthana Kodikara

University of Kelaniya



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MIWAYZ redefines Sri Lankan urban mobility with landmark launch

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From left Suraj Randel Lawson ( COO - Miwayz ) Nalliah Thayaparan (CEO - Miwayz) Sanjaesh Thayaparan -(UK Marketing Coordinator) Yogeshwaran Niaranjan ( Data Analysist - Miwayz) at the launch of Miwayz

Miwayz, Sri Lanka’s newest and most anticipated lifestyle and smart mobility platform, has officially announced its grand launch.

Signaling a major shift in the country’s ride-hailing and delivery ecosystem. the platform went live from Sunday, 12th July with an unprecedented milestone: securing a trusted community of 25,000+, eagerly awaiting passengers within an incredibly short pre-launch window.

For Sri Lankan consumers who have long sought greater transparency and safety, and for drivers seeking fair compensation, Miwayz enters the market not just as an app, but as a community-driven answer to modern commuter challenges.

Facing the Realities of the Road: Addressing Driver Pain Points

For years, the backbone of Sri Lanka’s urban transport—its hardworking three-wheeler and motorcycle drivers—has operated under immense financial strain. Traditional ride-hailing industry have long extracted predatory commission rates ranging from 15% to 25% on every single ride, severely squeezing driver take-home pay. Coupled with highly unpredictable daily incomes and skyrocketing vehicle maintenance and fuel costs, drivers have increasingly felt reduced to mere transactional numbers on a screen.

To address these pain points directly, Miwayz has introduced a highly disruptive, driver-centric economic model:

  • 0% Commission & Zero Subscription Fees: Registered driver-partners will enjoy 0% commission cuts and zero-value subscription fees for their first three months of operation, allowing them to take home 100% of their hard-earned fares.
  • The Industry’s Lowest Flat Subscription: Post-launch promotional period, Miwayz will transition drivers to the industry’s lowest flat rate daily/monthly subscription model, completely eliminating percentage-based commission structures. This ensures predictable operational costs and maximized income stability.

Tapping into a Massive Market

The launch of Miwayz arrives at a critical juncture for Sri Lanka’s massive urban transport market. According to the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority (RPTA), there are currently over 250,000 registered three-wheelers operating as active passenger transport services in the Western Province alone.

Furthermore, latest vehicle population statistics from the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) reveal that Sri Lanka has over 1.20 million motor tricycles (three-wheelers) and more than 5.17 million motorcycles (bikes) registered nationwide.

By positioning itself as a fair-play platform for this immense pool of micro-entrepreneurs, Miwayz is set to capture a dominant share of the daily commuting market, starting in Colombo and rapidly expanding across the province.

A Foundation Built on Mutual Trust

In a market where trust is the ultimate currency, Miwayz’s rapid acquisition of a combined 25,000+ strong pre-registered base represents a significant vote of confidence from local users.

“We did not want to launch with just an app and a hope; we wanted to launch with a community that believed in our vision from day one,” said the CEO of Miwayz, Nalliah Thayaparan. “To have over 25K trusted driver partners and passengers in our ecosystem before our official launch is the ultimate validation. It proves that Sri Lankans are ready for a platform built on mutual respect, honesty, and fair value.”

Going Beyond the Usual: The Miwayz Promise

Miwayz is engineered specifically to address the daily pain points of Sri Lankan commuters and drivers through three core pillars:

  1. Total Price Transparency & Best Fair Rates: Passengers will benefit from upfront, highly reliable fare estimates with zero hidden costs, unexpected surges, or predatory price hikes. Miwayz guarantees the best, standard distance-to-fare ratios in the market, ensuring complete peace of mind.
  2. Uncompromising Safety: To protect both riders and driver-partners, Miwayz features strictly verified profiles, real-time live trip tracking, and a dedicated 24/7 localized support team ready to assist at any moment.
  3. Everyday Convenience & Passenger Perks: Designed as an all-in-one lifestyle companion, the platform integrates seamless ride-hailing options with everyday essentials, including the upcoming rollout of Miwayz Food featuring local culinary favorites. To celebrate the launch, passengers will receive an exclusive 50% discount on their first 5 rides during the first three months of operation.

Strategic Powerhouse Collaboration with Dialog Axiata

To enhance the overall mobility experience for both passengers and driver-partners, MiWayz has entered into a strategic partnership with Dialog Touch, Sri Lanka’s leading fleet and fuel management platform. The collaboration introduces innovative payment and rewards capabilities that deliver greater convenience to riders while creating tangible value for driver-partners.

Through this partnership, Dialog Touch users can now seamlessly use their Touch Card as a payment method within the MiWayz app, enabling a fast, secure, and cashless payment experience for every journey. In addition, MiWayz driver-partners will benefit from fuel vouchers powered through the Dialog Touch platform, a first-of-its-kind rewards initiative introduced by Touch to recognize and support drivers with meaningful savings on fuel expenses.

Long-Term Support Alliance with TVS

To match its digital strength with on-the-ground sustainability, MiWayz has secured a pivotal strategic partnership with TVS. Focused entirely on providing long-term operational support to the platform’s growing driver-partner community, TVS is introducing immediate, tangible cost-saving benefits on the road. Under this landmark alliance, registered MiWayz driver-partners will gain exclusive access to:

  • Exclusive Discounts on Spare Parts: Deep cost reductions on essential vehicular components to reduce overall maintenance costs.
  • Specialized Vehicle Services: Tailored, high-priority maintenance and repair services at TVS Own Service Centers
  • Valuable Vehicle Trade-In Offers: Highly attractive trade-in opportunities allowing drivers to upgrade their vehicles easily and sustainably.

Representing the alliance, Geethal Anthony, CEO – TVS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd remarked, “We are incredibly proud to partner with MiWayz on this journey of sustainable urban empowerment. At TVS, we believe that true market innovation comes from putting tangible value back into the hands of the community. By providing long-term support structures—specifically through exclusive discounts on spare parts, specialized services, and accessible trade-in options—we are ensuring that driver-partners can significantly lower their operational overheads. This partnership sets a new benchmark for shared economic growth and corporate responsibility in Sri Lanka’s mobility landscape.”

Investing Directly in People: The Direct Reinvestment Model

In a progressive move, Miwayz is channeling its core resources directly into the pockets of its users and partners through a long-term Direct Reinvestment Model.

Rather than focusing on short-term market noise, the company is redirecting its operational capital to create sustained, long-term value additions:

  • For Driver-Partners: Enhanced welfare programs, sustainable financial incentives, and long-term professional development pathways that elevate their livelihoods alongside TVS’s operational discounts.
  • For Passengers: Consistent loyalty rewards, highly competitive daily pricing structures, and community-driven promotions that provide tangible economic relief in their daily travel budgets.

“We believe the best way to grow is not by plastering billboards, but by enriching the lives of the people who use our platform,” the CEO added. “By investing directly in our drivers and passengers, we are building a sustainable, loyal ecosystem that benefits Sri Lanka for the long haul.”

Availability

The Miwayz passenger and driver applications are now officially available for download on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. Commuters and drivers across Sri Lanka are invited to download the app today to experience mobility and lifestyle convenience their way.

About Miwayz

Miwayz is a next-generation, community-first lifestyle and smart mobility platform based in Sri Lanka. Committed to elevating the urban travel experience, Miwayz combines advanced ride-hailing technology, transparent pricing, robust safety standards, and merchant delivery ecosystems to create a fairer, more efficient way for communities to connect, move, and thrive.

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Successful government securities auctions anchor yield curve amid subdued trading

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The secondary market yield curve remained broadly stable during the past week as subdued trading activity persisted around the Treasury Bond auction. Meanwhile, weighted average yields at the weekly Treasury Bill auction recorded declines across all tenors, First Capital Research stated in its latest weekly report.

According to the report, secondary market activity opened on a cautious note with selling interest emerging ahead of the T-Bond auction, causing a slight upward adjustment in yields amid moderate trading volumes. As the week progressed, investor participation remained muted, with market participants largely staying on the sidelines in anticipation of the auction, keeping the yield curve broadly unchanged.

Following the successful completion of the bond auction, the market witnessed mixed sentiment, with selling pressure concentrated at the short end and buying interest emerging in longer-dated maturities. However, activity remained subdued, and the yield curve largely held its ground through the weekend.

At the Treasury Bond auction held on July 13, 2026, the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) successfully raised the full offered amount of LKR 150.0 billion. This comprised LKR 70.0 billion through the 2030 maturity, LKR 50.0 billion through the 2034 maturity, and LKR 30.0 billion through the 2037 maturity, at weighted average yields of 11.57%, 12.04%, and 12.58%, respectively.

Similarly, at the weekly Treasury Bill auction held on July 15, 2026, the PDMO raised the full offered amount of LKR 120.0 billion. The 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month bills raised LKR 55.0 billion, LKR 35.0 billion, and LKR 30.0 billion, respectively. Weighted average yields declined across all tenors, with the 3-month bill easing by 8 basis points (bps) to 10.13%, the 6-month bill by 3 bps to 10.27%, and the 12-month bill by 1 bp to 10.20%.

On the external front, the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) depreciated against the US Dollar, closing the week at LKR 336.3/USD compared to LKR 334.7/USD seen previously. Market liquidity within the banking system expanded significantly, starting the week at LKR 125.89 billion and closing higher at LKR 157.19 billion.

Thus the market data may highlight a clear divergence between short-term liquidity comfort and long-term caution, which points toward a gradual steepening of the yield curve in the near term.

The emergence of buying interest in longer-dated maturities (2034 and 2037) shows that institutional investors are eager to lock in double-digit yields while liquidity is high. This institutional support will likely place a temporary ceiling on long-term rates.

The mild depreciation of the rupee (moving to LKR 336.3/USD) acts as a cautionary counter-signal. If the currency continues to face pressure, it could limit how far short-term yields can fall, flattening the curve back out.

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CSE sees lack of investor participation, market turnover remains thin

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The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) witnessed a quiet trading session on Friday, with the benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) edging marginally lower down by 42.16 points or 0.20% to close at 21,405.41.

Market turnover remained thin, coming in at Rs. 0.72 billion (approximately US$ 2.2 million), reflecting a general lack of investor participation as most sectors encountered downward pressure.

A total of 31.94 million shares changed hands across 13,397 trades, resulting in a negative market breadth where declining counters outpaced gainers 127 to 91. Blue-chip counters Sampath Bank PLC (SAMP), Lanka IOC PLC (LIOC), and John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) anchored the day’s market turnover, while a notable off-market crossing was recorded in Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC (LLUB). Trading volume in SAMP alone was highly concentrated, accounting for 12% of the day’s total turnover.

Sector performance remained mixed, with the Banking sector emerging as the most actively traded, posting a modest gain of 0.18%. The Health Care Equipment & Services sector secured the spot as the day’s best performer, rising by 0.55%.

Conversely, the Household & Personal Products sector faced the steepest decline, dropping 1.95% to finish as the worst-performing sector of the day. In terms of individual movements, Blue Diamonds Jewellery Worldwide PLC [Voting] (PINS.N) led the gainers, advancing by 6.11%, while Agstar PLC (AGPL.N) emerged as the top loser, shedding 9.09%.

By Hiran H. Senewiratne

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