Business

Question of ‘data privacy’ looms large in govt’s DPI strategy

Published

2 years ago

2025/02/10

BIMSTEC Digital Conclave 2025. Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy- second from left and High Commissioner of India, Santosh Jha - fifth from left

Hans Wijayasuriya tries to get the elephant out of the room

By Sanath Nanayakkare

As the government of Sri Lanka accelerates its digital public infrastructure (DPI) strategy, the question of data privacy looms large.

The Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, Dr.Hans Wijayasuriya, stepped in to address this critical issue head-on, in a recent keynote at the BIMSTEC Digital Conclave 2025 held at Taj Samudra, Colombo on February 7-8.

Wijayasuriya emphasized the need for robust data protection frameworks to ensure public trust in digital initiatives as the collection and use of personal data may raise significant ethical and legal questions in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Wijayasuriya advocated for a balanced approach, combining innovation with stringent privacy safeguards, at a time the public in Sri Lanka is split down the middle on the implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and rolling out bio-metric digital ID to provide many key government services online, with the support of tech companies in foreign countries.

Furthermore, the Public Digital Conferences being held in Colombo these days with the participation of foreign players are likely to result in policy action and implementation on the ground at any point in time.

In these circumstances, his insights served as a timely reminder that data privacy is not just a technical challenge, but a cornerstone of sustainable digital transformation.

Taking a question from the moderator at the Conclave whether DPI would compromise the security interests of the Sovereign he said,” I think the question of Sovereignty’s security comes second because fundamental security and control assemblies come first. And this can be subject to proportionate assessment of risk and granular data in use. Different types of data need different treatments in terms of risk mitigation. So, what we strive for is ‘risk proportional safeguards’ plus federated digital platforms with a focus on privacy and data control by not centralizing user information on one single platform. We should have a very well-architectured system to ensure internal and sovereignty-related security in the transferring of data. Sri Lanka has a Data Protection Act in force. Sri Lanka also has a Data Protection Authority in place.This means there is a strong legal framework as well as an institutional framework to implement the mechanisms for data protection. Looking at the cross-border scenario, sovereignty interests are critical, and therefore, we will adhere to the principles based on the categorization of data. Let me add another point about Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). When an additional API is opened to enable seamless integration and automation between different staking platforms and applications, the demand for security escalates. That is the nature of this exercise. If we are to benefit from open architecture systems, we need to consider these issues and build robust systems to mitigate the risks,” he explained.

“There are many layers which lend themselves to integration and the extension of horizontal layers. We should look at multiple dimensions for citizen-centric services without compromising on national security. Also, we will look at businesses in a cross-border angle and in an inclusion angle, where business to business (B2B) interfaces can especially boost trade volumes and transactions in the region,” he said.

High Commissioner of India Santosh Jha speaking at the Conclave said,” “India has over the past decade or so undergone a digital transformation at an unprecedented pace and scale, with unparalleled benefits to all sections of the society. At a time when mobile and data access were seen globally as a convenience, India adopted a model that envisioned digitization not only as a means of connectivity – but as a medium of equity and opportunity. And that to me is the essence of Digital Public Infrastructure.”

Responding to a question from The Island Financial Review as to which foreign companies in which countries would get the contract awards, Eranga Weerarathna, Dep. Minister of Digital Economy replied,” We will explore working with local tech companies. We will also need to outsource foreign collaboration in this exercise to leapfrog in DPI. Wherever we see value, we will work with foreign companies while ensuring the protection of very sensitive data.”

During the networking time, a local ICT expert was overheard saying, ‘The elephant is out of the room, and policymakers need to address it.'”

On Feb. 5, key officials of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Asian Development Bank took part in the Sri Lanka Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Summit held in Colombo where they pledged support to Sri Lanka to become a digital economy powerhouse in the region. The Ministry of Digital Economy had put together that two-day summit in partnership with the UNDP in Sri Lanka, the ADB and key collaborators including Huawei.

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Business

ADB approves $100 million loan to boost skills development and jobs for youth in Sri Lanka

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan to help Sri Lanka transform its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, equip more young people with industry-relevant skills, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness and inclusive growth.

The Skills Development System Transformation Program will support the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts in improving the quality and relevance of skills training, strengthening links between training providers and industries, and expanding employment opportunities for youth. The program will increase women’s employment opportunities in nontraditional jobs in fields including automotive technology, engineering, information and communications technology, construction, and renewable energy.

“A skilled workforce is essential to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic transformation and competitiveness,” said ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin. “This program will help create stronger pathways from education to employment by making training more responsive to industry needs, expanding opportunities for young people and women, and ensuring that graduates have the skills required by a modern and evolving economy.”

Though Sri Lanka’s economy is recovering, it faces skills shortages in priority sectors, high youth unemployment, and low female labor force participation. Many employers report difficulty finding workers with the skills needed in a changing economy.

Aligned with the Government of Sri Lanka’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Sector Strategic Framework 2026–2035, the nationwide program will be implemented from 2027 to 2031 and is expected to directly benefit more than 100,000 young people through improved access to quality, employment-oriented training.

Business

USD 40.84m pipeline to secure aviation fuel supplies to BIA

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Ifham Nizam

The government has cleared a USD 40.84 million and Rs. 8,548.75 million contract to build a dedicated aviation fuel pipeline from Muthurajawela to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), alongside a massive new fuel storage facility with a capacity of 92,000 cubic metres.

Energy Minister Anura Karunatilaka said the project represented a major investment in strengthening the infrastructure underpinning Sri Lanka’s aviation fuel supply and ensuring more reliable fuel availability at the country’s main international airport.

‘This project will provide the infrastructure required to strengthen the reliability and continuity of aviation fuel supplies to Bandaranaike International Airport, Karunatilaka said.

The contract has been awarded to China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited, following an international competitive procurement process in which three bids were received.

The project will see a new aviation fuel storage tank complex constructed at Muthurajawela, together with the associated infrastructure required for handling and transferring aviation fuel.

Business

CSE activity up, turnover weak at Rs. 1.4 billion

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Hiran H Senewiratne

Trading activity on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) gathered pace yesterday as global fuel prices began to show signs of easing, according to market analysts.In this context, both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index up by 67.97 points while S and P SL20 up by 8.30 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 1.4 billion with seven crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank 1.7 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 238 million and its share price traded at Rs 140, Access Engineering two million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 159 million and its share price traded at Rs 79.50, LOLC one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 129 million and its share price traded at Rs 129, HNB 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 38.4 million and its share price traded at Rs 384, JKH 1.9 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 35 million and its share price traded at Rs 18.60, Hayleys 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22.50 million and its share price traded at Rs 225 and Richard Pieris 847,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22 million and its share price traded at Rs 25.50.

In the retail market top seven companies that have mainly contributed to the turnover were Sampath Bank Rs 114 million (813,000 shares traded), JKH Rs 100 million (5.3 million shares traded) LB Finance Rs 49 million (325,000 shares traded), HNB Finance Rs 30 million (27 million shares traded), HNB Rs 27 million (70000 shares traded), NTB Rs 25 million (82000 shares traded ) and Lanka IOC Rs 21 million (666,000 shares traded). During the day 65 million shares volumes changed hands in 10433 transactions.

The Banking and manufacturing sector counters performed well. In the banking sector Sampath Bank let the market while manufacturing sector especially JKH also significantly performed well. With the fuel revision Land IOC also a significant stock at the floor.

Meanwhile, First Capital Treasuries said that Ramesh Schaffter resigned as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from October 1, to facilitate the restructuring of the company’s board.

Yesterday the Central Bank announced the US Dollar rate as against rupee. The rupee was quoted flat at Rs 330.65/80 to the US dollar in the spot market , while bond yields dropped, dealers said.