News
Namal: Personal Data Protection laws prerequisite for digitisation
Sports, Digital Infrastructure and Youth Affairs Minister Namal Rajapaksa told Parliament yesterday that the provisions of the Personal Data Protection Bill were of paramount importance for the country’s digitisation programmes.
Participating in the second reading stage debate on the Personal Data Protection Bill, the Minister said that the new Bill intended to provide for the Regulation of processing of personal data; to identify
and strengthen the rights of data subjects in relation to the protection of personal data; to provide for the designation of the data protection authority; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, according to the Parliament.
Minister Rajapaksa said that some countries had failed in their digitisation programmes mainly due to flawed laws.
He said it was paramount to prepare a legal framework for the government’s 30-month digitisation programme, and in the absence of such a legal framework, the children of Sri Lanka would not be able to reap the benefits from it.
“There were reports of data wiping at state institutions recently,” said the Minister, stressing the need for a legal framework for data protection, to prevent such incidents.
He said the Personal Data Protection Bill was just one legislation pertaining to data, and many more were to be introduced, such as the Cyber Security Act, and the Falsehood Act.
“If personal data is being given to a state entity or a private bank, or even a telecommunication company, the Personal Data Protection Bill will ensure that the data is only used for the designated purpose,” the Minister said.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 12 April 2026, valid for 13 April 2026.
Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon.
The Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) TAIMUR and ASLAT arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 12 Apr 26.
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in
compliance with naval traditions.
The duo of ships is commanded by Captain NIAMAT SAEED KHAN (PNS TAIMUR) and Captain NADIR MATEEN AFRIDI (PNS ASLAT).
Meanwhile, the ships are expected to conduct a Bilateral Naval Exercise LION STAR V with the Sri Lanka Navy in Colombo seas.
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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces.
Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon
PNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
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