Sri Lanka yesterday took a major step towards transforming its agriculture sector with the official launch of the Agriculture Enterprise Architecture Framework, Agriculture Interoperability Framework, Data Sharing Policies, and CROPIX, a national digital platform for crop data and decision-making.

The high-level launch event, co-hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with funding from the Gates Foundation, marked the formal introduction of a unified digital foundation designed to modernise agricultural governance, improve service delivery, and enable evidence-based decision-making across the sector.

Together, these initiatives form the backbone of Sri Lanka’s emerging Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture, addressing long-standing challenges related to fragmented data systems, institutional silos, and limited data sharing across government entities.

Speaking at the event, K. D. Lalkantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation emphasized the strategic importance of the launch for the sector’s future.

“Today marks a decisive shift in how Sri Lanka governs and supports its agriculture sector. By introducing a unified Enterprise Architecture, Interoperability Framework, and clear Data Sharing Policies, we are laying the foundation for a truly data-driven agriculture system that serves farmers, institutions, and decision-makers alike. CROPIX will enable us to move from fragmented information to informed, timely decisions that strengthen food security and farmer livelihoods,” the Minister said.

Highlighting the importance of interoperability and alignment with the national digital agenda, Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, underscored the role of agriculture in Sri Lanka’s wider digital transformation.

“For years, Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector lacked a complete, reliable registry of farmers, lands, and crops—fragmented across systems with duplication and gaps. The solutions launched today change that, introducing a unified, API-driven platform for trusted data-sharing. This will enable smarter policies, targeted services, and innovations like agritech, precision farming, and digital marketplaces—delivering real digital value to those who feed the nation and driving our digital economy forward,” he said.

Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, highlighted the significance of the initiative within the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.

“What we are witnessing today is the extension of Sri Lanka’s Digital Public Infrastructure into one of our most critical sectors. By applying enterprise architecture, interoperability, and trusted data-sharing principles to agriculture, we are ensuring that digital transformation delivers real value on the ground. This approach enables scalable, secure systems that connect farmers to institutions, data to decisions, and policy to impact,” he said.

The Agriculture Enterprise Architecture Framework provides a strategic blueprint to align people, processes, data, and technology across agricultural institutions, ensuring that digital investments are interoperable, scalable, and future-ready. Complementing this, the Agriculture Interoperability Framework and newly introduced Data Sharing Policies enable secure, standardised, and trusted exchange of agricultural data across ministries, departments, and digital platforms.

At the centre of this digital ecosystem is CROPIX – Crop Resources, Optimising operations, through Precise Information exchange System. CROPIX operationalises the architecture and interoperability frameworks by integrating national crop registry, cultivation and production data, forecasting tools, extension services, near real-time field reporting, APIs and Open Data. Through its web platform and mobile applications, CROPIX connects farmers, extension officers, planners, and policymakers around a single, trusted source of agricultural data.

Vimlendra Sharan, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, highlighted the broader significance of the initiative and FAO’s continued partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka.

“This launch represents more than the introduction of digital systems; it marks a transformation in how data are governed, shared, and used across the agriculture sector. By establishing strong digital public infrastructure for agriculture, Sri Lanka is positioning itself to respond more effectively to climate risks, improve service delivery, cater to dynamic market demands and make evidence-based decisions that leave no farmer behind. FAO is proud to support this journey towards a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready agriculture sector,” he said.

The launch is expected to accelerate institutional adoption of digital tools within the Department of Agriculture, promote responsible data sharing across government, and foster a culture where near real-time data informs planning, policy formulation, and investment decisions – ultimately ensuring that farmers are the primary beneficiaries through improved services, timely information, and more responsive, evidence-based support.

This milestone marks not just the introduction of new systems, but the beginning of a collaborative national journey towards a resilient, inclusive, and data-driven future for Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector.

The Dhammachakka Puja 2026, inaugurated on 15 January at Sarnath, brought together multiple Buddhist monastic traditions at the sacred site where the Buddha delivered his first sermon and set in motion the Wheel of Dhamma, Lankan High Commission in New Delhi said yesterday.

Organised by the International Dhammachakka Puja Committee, the week-long observance from 15-21 January 2026 brought together monks from different traditions and nationalities. In unison, they chanted the Dhammachakka Pavattana Sutta, symbolising unity in diversity and the living continuity of the Dhamma across cultures and generations.

The inaugural session was held at the Mulagandhakuti Vihara in Sarnath under the theme “Significance of the Dhammachakka Puja: the First Sermon of the Buddha and the Land of the Foundation of Buddhism”. Monastic representatives from the participating traditions recited selected verses from the Sutta, affirming the shared spiritual heritage of Buddhism.

Delivering the Introductory Address, Ven. P. Seewalee Thera, Chief Monk and General Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society of India, reflected on the historical and spiritual significance of the Dhammacakka Puja, highlighting Sarnath as the sacred site of the Buddha’s first sermon and the very foundation of Buddhism. Ven. R. Sumiththananda Thera, Bhikkhu-in-Charge of the Maha Bodhi Society of India, Sarnath Centre, formally welcomed the guests and participants.

Participating as Chief Guest, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Mahishini Colonne, stated that she was honoured and humbled to be present at Sarnath, describing it as a land blessed by wisdom, compassion, and the timeless message of Gautama Buddha.

Four petitions had been filed before the Supreme Court challenging the Bill seeking to abolish the pension scheme for Members of Parliament, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne informed Parliament on Thursday (22).

The Speaker said he had also received a copy of an additional petition submitted to the Supreme Court in connection with the Bill. He noted that the petitions had been filed in terms of Article 121(1) of the Constitution.

The Bill to abolish parliamentary pensions was presented to Parliament on January 7 by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara. Under the Constitution, a 14-day period from the date of presentation is provided for the submission of petitions challenging the Bill.

The Second Reading debate on the Bill is scheduled to be held towards the end of next month.

If enacted, the Bill will abolish pension entitlements of 512 former Members of Parliament.