Traditional crimes are rapidly evolving into sophisticated high-tech offences as criminals increasingly rely on electronic devices, experts warned at a seminar held in Colombo last Tuesday.Addressing the event themed “How to Secure Your Electronic Device: Legal and Technology Protection” at the Organisation of Professional Associations auditorium, ICT Lawyers Guild Chairman Dr. Sunil Abeyratne stressed that individuals must exercise extreme caution in safeguarding their mobile devices.

He cautioned against allowing others access to personal phones, noting that emerging technological threats have made devices central to modern criminal activity. Dr. Abeyratne highlighted Sri Lanka’s legal framework, including the Computer Crime Act and the Electronic Transactions Act, which address offences such as hacking, data manipulation and financial fraud.

He pointed out that while digital technologies have transformed sectors such as medicine and law, they have also enabled crimes that bypass traditional security measures. Risks such as data theft, location tracking and phishing scams were also underscored.

Indian security expert Dr. Kavishwar Sunil Chandrashekhar warned of the growing threat of cyber espionage and “information warfare”, driven by artificial intelligence and deepfake technologies. He called for stronger digital sovereignty and advanced security measures, including zero-trust systems and encrypted communications.

Dr Sunil Abeyratne addressing the seminar

Senior DIG Ajith Rohana and Computer Society of Sri Lanka President Heshan Karunaratne also highlighted the rise in cyber threats, urging the public to adopt stronger cybersecurity practices. They noted that law enforcement has established specialized cybercrime units and forensic labs, but emphasized that individual vigilance remains critical in combating digital crime.

An 18-year-old French student of Sri Lankan origin has made history by winning a seat on a municipal council in France, emerging as one of the country’s youngest elected officials.

Bilaal Lookman, a first-year law student at Paris-Panthéon-Assas University, was elected to the City Council of Guyancourt, a suburb of Paris, at the recent municipal elections held on March 15 and 22. Notably, this was also the first time he cast his vote as a voter.

Born in November 2007 to a family of Sri Lankan origin hailing from Mannar and Jaffna, Lookman entered public life at a young age, driven by a strong interest in governance and civic engagement.

He gained early exposure to French political institutions through internships with a Member of Parliament, a former Education Minister, and the mayor of his hometown while still in his mid-teens. His involvement in public service also included participation in the town’s Children’s Municipal Council and volunteer work with a local food-aid organisation.

Joining the outgoing mayor’s team, Lookman successfully contested the election and now faces the challenge of balancing his academic pursuits with his new responsibilities.

He has pledged to engage more young people in politics, stressing that civic participation is key to shaping the future.

A Sri Lankan delegation led by Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe participated in the Montana Security and Economic Summit – 2026, engaging in wide-ranging discussions with US counterparts on trade, investment, education and security cooperation.

The visit, undertaken at the invitation of Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and senior officials of the Montana National Guard, included meetings with government representatives, private sector leaders and academic institutions over four days.

Talks focused on strengthening bilateral ties, with particular emphasis on disaster preparedness, maritime and port security, and economic collaboration in sectors such as critical minerals and food security. The Governor and the Ambassador also highlighted the long-standing partnership between Sri Lanka and Montana, including support extended during disaster response efforts.

Discussions with the University of Montana and technical institutions explored academic cooperation, especially in disaster mitigation, flood management and wildfire analysis, while engagements with the World Trade Center Montana centered on expanding foreign direct investment and trade opportunities.

The delegation also held talks with private sector stakeholders across multiple industries, including mining, engineering, environmental management and aviation security.

Officials said the outcomes of the visit are expected to pave the way for enhanced cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United States in trade, investment and security, further strengthening bilateral relations.