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Safeguarding trust in Sri Lanka’s digital future

Published

3 months ago

2026/01/21

Panel discussion on “the ethical use of artificial intelligence”

As data increasingly shapes economies, governance and everyday life, Sri Lanka reached an important milestone with the Second National Data Protection Symposium, held on 6 January 2026 at Cinnamon Life, Colombo, under the aegis of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL). The symposium, themed “Safeguarding Privacy in the Age of Intelligence – From Legal Compliance to Ethical Innovation”, brought together 27 speakers from the legal, regulatory, technology and corporate sectors, reflecting the breadth and urgency of the national conversation on data protection.

Opening the proceedings, Chairperson Revan Weerasinghe captured the spirit of the event by observing that “Data by the looks of it is key to understanding the world’s problems and rectifying it, for data drives innovation.” His remarks framed the central tension explored throughout the day: while data has immense potential to unlock innovation and economic growth, it can only do so sustainably when governed responsibly and ethically.

Addressing the gathering, BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya emphasised the strategic moment Sri Lanka faces, noting that “Sri Lanka today has a rare opportunity to leapfrog traditional stages of development through the rapid adoption of digital technologies.” Speakers repeatedly stressed, however, that digitisation without public confidence is fragile. Trust, they argued, is the invisible infrastructure of the digital economy.

This theme was powerfully articulated by the Chief Guest, His Lordship Justice Arjuna Obeysekera, who stated: “Trust does not emerge because systems are fast or because apps are convenient… Trust emerges when people believe they remain sovereign over their identity.” He further observed that “Connectivity moves data but trust moves people. And the assurance of privacy is the bridge that connects the two.” These reflections underscored why data protection is ultimately about human dignity, autonomy and confidence in institutions.

The symposium translated principle into practice through a full day of expert presentations and panel discussions. Sessions examined practical implementation of data protection obligations, the Personal Data Protection Act as a strategic digital enabler, and the growing responsibilities of organisations and data protection officers. Panel discussions explored organisational accountability, continuous compliance, and embedding a privacy culture across public institutions and private enterprises. Sector-specific engagements addressed data protection in banking and finance, privacy risks in digital transactions and e-commerce, and the importance of consumer confidence in secure digital ecosystems. Forward-looking discussions on trust in the digital economy and the ethical boundaries of artificial intelligence highlighted the need for accountability, transparency and human oversight in data-driven innovation.

Collectively, the Second National Data Protection Symposium reaffirmed a clear message: data can drive innovation and digitisation, but only trust anchored in strong data governance and ethical practice can convert that innovation into lasting economic and social progress for Sri Lanka.

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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Kurunegala and Ratnapura

Published

3 mins ago

2026/04/23

Priyan

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Landslide Early Warnings to the Districts of Kurunegala and Ratnapura effective from 16:00 hrs on 23.04.2026 To 16:00 hrs on 24.04.2026

Accordingly,

Level 1 landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Rideegama in the Kurunegala district and Kuruwita, Kalawana, Ratnapura, Nivithigala, Pelmadulla and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura district.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Ampara and Batticaloa districts

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/23

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
Issued at 12.00 noon 23 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 23 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
• Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

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Compensation payments and reconstruction activities related to the Ditwah relief measures must be expedited with special attention at the district level – PM

Published

12 hours ago

2026/04/23

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that compensation payments and reconstruction activities related to the Ditwah relief measures must be expedited with special attention at the district level. She further stated that all necessary allocations have already been made to Provincial Councils and instructed that the progress of disaster damage assessments and reconstruction efforts be closely monitored at the provincial level.

The Prime Minister made these remarks at a discussion held on Tuesday (21) at Temple Trees under her patronage, aimed at informing Chairpersons of District Coordination Committees and public representatives from disaster-affected districts, in order to accelerate the implementation of the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme. The discussion focused on expediting disaster relief and compensation payments, as well as the swift restoration of infrastructure damaged by the disaster.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Rs. 500 billion has been allocated for damages caused by the Ditwah cyclone, and that all relevant development activities must be completed before the end of 2026. The Prime Minister also instructed officials to pay special attention to resolving issues at the local level that are causing delays in compensation payments.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President, G.M.R.D. Aponsu, stated that the estimated cost for reconstruction following the Ditwah cyclone is approximately USD 3.4 billion. Accordingly, funds have been allocated for compensation across several sectors including housing and social infrastructure, agriculture and livestock, fisheries, industry and livelihoods, and irrigation. He further noted that 99% of the Rs. 25,000 allowance has already been disbursed, while 95% of the Rs. 50,000 resettlement allowance has been paid. Compensation for fully and partially damaged houses is still ongoing, and 99% of temporary relief centres have been closed.

Additionally, attention was drawn to several other measures, including providing Rs. 25,000 to affected schoolchildren, paying Rs. 1 million as compensation for each deceased individual, compensation for children who lost one or both parents, support for persons with disabilities affected by the disaster, compensation for agricultural losses, and expediting resettlement of displaced families. Measures such as allocating land for new housing construction and accelerating the issuance of reports from the National Building Research Organization were also discussed.

Focus was also placed on the reconstruction of affected schools, hospitals, and daycare centres, improving the accuracy and speed of data collection at the local level, and accelerating infrastructure development.

The event was attended by Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyarathna, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Dr. Chandana Abayarathna, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperatives R.M. Jayawardena, Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, Members of Parliament, Chairpersons of District Coordination Committees, Chief of Staff to the President and Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Additional Secretary to the President Jayantha Bandara; and officials of the Prime Minister’s Office.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]