The government has moved to fast-track the integration of critical state institutions with the National Cyber Security Operations Centre (NCSOC), following a special meeting convened at the Presidential Secretariat to expedite the implementation of a recent Cabinet decision.

The meeting, chaired by Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eng. Eranga Weeraratna and Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy Waruna Sri Dhanapala, focused on accelerating connectivity between key government bodies and the centrally managed cyber security platform operated by Sri Lanka CERT.

Established under the guidance of the Ministry of Digital Economy, the NCSOC is regarded as a major step in reinforcing Sri Lanka’s national cyber security architecture. The centre is designed to enable real-time threat monitoring, coordinated incident response and proactive cyber defence across critical government infrastructure.

Officials stressed that cyber security has evolved beyond a purely technical issue and now constitutes a matter of national importance, directly affecting public trust, economic stability and national security.

Senior representatives of Sri Lanka CERT conducted a live demonstration of the NCSOC’s operational capabilities, including the newly set up Malware Analysis and Threat Hunting (MATH) Lab, which is tasked with identifying, analysing and mitigating emerging cyber threats.

The discussion also underscored the need to strengthen cyber security awareness within the public sector and to introduce structured digital security training programmes for government officials. As Sri Lanka advances its digital economy agenda, participants recognised cyber resilience as a cornerstone of effective governance and uninterrupted public service delivery.

Once fully operationalised across institutions, the NCSOC is expected to play a central role in protecting government digital infrastructure from ransomware attacks, data breaches and website defacements. Through the centralised system, connected institutions will gain access to early warning mechanisms, real-time monitoring and nationally coordinated incident response support.

The initiative was described by officials as not merely a compliance exercise but a strategic investment in institutional credibility, operational continuity and national resilience.

Director General of Pensions Chaminda Hettiarachchi, Director IT of the Prime Minister’s Office G.V.D. Priyantha and ICTA Senior Engineer Aravinda Rathnayake shared their experiences of linking their respective institutions to the National SOC, outlining operational benefits and lessons learned.

Presentations were also delivered by Sri Lanka CERT Chairman Thilak Pathirage; Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kanishka Karunasena; Chief Information Security Officer (NCSOC) Mahinda Kandapahala; Head of the MATH Lab Senalike Dewalawaththa; and NCSOC representatives Pathum Bandara and Vimuthki Perera.

Staff of Sri Lanka CERT, together with heads and senior officials of critical government institutions, participated in the session, signalling what authorities described as a coordinated national effort to bolster cyber defences amid a rapidly evolving threat landscape.