Business
‘Implementation of Personal Data Protection Act likely to be hampered by political interference’
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
The provisions of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) conform to all international standards but when it comes to implementation it may cause some issues stemming from political interference, IT legal expert Dr. Sunil Abeyaratne said.
“The PDPA is the need of the hour but it has to be implemented in good faith, shedding political expediency and other petty political benefits, for the betterment of the country, Abeyaratne told a function organized by the Rotary Club- Colombo South recently, in Colombo.
Abeyaratne who is the chairman, Communication, Data Protection and Technology Law of LAWASIA said that the PDPA, which has been making strides toward full implementation, aims to safeguard personal data held by various entities, including government bodies, banks, telecom operators and hospitals.
“This piece of legislation, the first of its kind in South Asia, was developed transparently. All the provisions in the Act are on par with international standards, but due to the volatility in the social and political situation in Sri Lanka, it will not serve its purpose, Abeyaratne said.
“Establishing the Data Protection Authority is a milestone in data protection in Sri Lanka. However, until it becomes fully functional, organizations in Sri Lanka are required to comply with the Personal Data Protection Act provisions that have already come into effect, he explained.
Abeyaratne added: “The Data Protection Authority is expected to commence full operations in early 2024, with vital responsibilities such as developing guidelines, investigating complaints, imposing penalties and raising awareness of data protection rights among individuals and organizations.
“Appointing members to the Data Protection Authority should be a process free of political bias and affiliations. If not, it would not serve any purpose to protect the best interest of the public.
“The Board of Directors is in the deliberation and planning phase of creating the Data Protection Authority. The first step involves recommending the operationalization of Part VIII (Funds of the Authority) and Part IX of the Act focuses on designing the organizational framework, setting out recruitment procedures and establishing roles of key officers, including those of the Director General.
“The Authority plans to formulate policy frameworks and regulations to meet the Act’s enforcement deadline of 19 March 2025.
“It will hold public consultations and engage with advisory committees representing critical sectors of the economy and other stakeholders to ensure comprehensive and effective data protection measures. The Authority is set to commence public consultations and awareness campaigns once it has the necessary capacity; a process expected to take several months.”
In a significant move for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, NKAR, a stalwart in the industry for over 45 years, has announced a partnership with Holiday Max, Australia’s largest tour operator. Based in Perth, Holiday Max has ventured into Sri Lanka for the first time, marking a promising expansion for both entities.
This collaboration aligns with NKAR’s strategic vision to enhance the country’s appeal to international travelers. Nilmin Nanayakkara, Chairman and Managing Director of NKAR says, “Our policy has always been to promote Sri Lanka to new markets by attracting new operators, rather than competing through price undercutting or making unrealistic promises.” This statement encapsulates NKAR’s commitment to fostering sustainable tourism growth by focusing on quality over cost.
By prioritsing service excellence and maintaining high health and safety standards, NKAR aims to elevate the overall travel experience for visitors. This approach not only positions Sri Lanka as a premium destination but also attracts reputable operators like Holiday Max, who are drawn to the island’s unique experiences and NKAR’s dedication to quality service.
The partnership represents a remarkable opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka’s diverse offerings to Australian travelers, potentially opening new avenues for tourism growth. As NKAR continues to innovate and adapt, this collaboration is set to bolster Sri Lanka’s standing as a sought-after travel destination, steering the industry away from aggressive price competition towards sustainable growth through authentic experiences.
By focusing on attracting new operators and markets, NKAR is paving the way for a revitalised tourism landscape in Sri Lanka, one that values quality, safety, and the unique charm of the island. NKAR is recognised as one of the top five destination management companies in Sri Lanka. The company recently won 3 major awards at Sri Lanka Tourism Awards.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
LOLC Finance secured five Gold Awards and one Merit Award at the LankaPay Technovation Awards 2025, including the prestigious Overall Excellence in Digital Payments Gold Award for the sixth consecutive year.
The company dominated both bank and NBFI categories, winning Best Digital Strategy Gold Award, proving its superiority over traditional banks in digital finance.
Awards won were as follows.
Gold Awards:
Best Digital Payment Strategy (Banks & NBFI)
Best Mobile Application for Retail Payments via JustPay (Banks & NBFI)
Excellence in Customer Convenience (NBFI)
Financial Inclusivity (NBFI)
Overall Excellence in Digital Payments (NBFI)
Merit Award: Most Popular Digital Payment Product (iPay)
CEO Krishan Thilakaratne emphasized digitalization as core to LOLC Finance’s operations, enabling seamless, 24/7 financial access through platforms like LOLC Real Time and iPay.
Chairman Conrad Dias highlighted the audited, performance-based recognition and iPay’s mission to solve real-world financial challenges with cutting-edge tech.
iPay & JustPay innovations were Recognized for leading digital payment adoption with 1M+ downloads, 1.8M monthly transactions, and 65% JustPay market share, featuring biometric security and AI fraud detection.
Financial Inclusivity was recognized for Bridging gaps via multi-lingual services, cashless processes, and rural outreach programs.
Customer Convenience was recognized for real-time solutions (SLIPS, CEFTS) eliminating branch visits for payments and transfers.
Tree House International, located in Dehiwala, has been recognised as the Most Evidence-Based Special Needs School of the Year at BWIO Awards. The only international school in Sri Lanka dedicated exclusively to children with special needs, 75% of its students relocate from abroad for its high-quality, result-driven education.
Last semester, 100% of students transitioned to mainstream or vocational training.
The school is led by Dr. Anton James, a Chartered Behavioural Psychologist with over 20 years of global experience.
His evidence-based approach earned the highest honour from the British Psychological Society, and he was elected a Chartered Scientist. Co-directed by Chrystal Honsaker, an expert with 15 years of international special needs experience, the school also offers an accredited British curriculum alternative to GCSEs.
We aspire to build a nation where all citizens coexist in peace and resilience for the future generation -PM
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