Sri Lanka has taken a significant step toward strengthening its national cybersecurity framework, with the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) convening its first stakeholder consultation under the Ministry of Digital Economy to discuss the country’s path to ratifying the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime.
Acting Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy, Varuna Sri Danapala, chaired the stakeholder consultation attended by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Defence, Attorney General’s Department, National Child Protection Authority, Bribery Commission, and Sri Lanka Police.
At the commencement of the meeting, SLCERT stated that it is an honour to host this initial consultation, marking an important milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its national cybersecurity framework through inclusive and informed dialogue.
Key technological and legal insights were presented by Senior Counsel Jayantha Fernando, who discussed the evolution of international legal frameworks on cybercrime and their impact on Sri Lanka’s legal and regulatory landscape. A comprehensive overview of the UN Convention against Cybercrime and how it might be integrated with Sri Lanka’s current legal framework was provided by Sehan Soysa, Senior State Counsel of the Attorney General’s Department.
The signing of the UN Convention against Cybercrime by Sri Lanka was highlighted as a landmark achievement that reflects the nation’s strong commitment to building a secure, trusted, and resilient digital environment. By signing the Convention, Sri Lanka has taken an important step toward aligning with internationally recognized standards for the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrime.
Acting CEO of SLCERT, Kanishka Karunasena, emphasized that the decision to sign the Convention was not an ad hoc measure, but one that is firmly anchored in national policy. The move is fully aligned with the Cabinet-approved Information and Cyber Security Strategy, which will be implemented from 2025 to 2029.
These actions are designed to enable Sri Lanka to fully realize the benefits of a growing digital economy while safeguarding citizens, institutions, and critical infrastructure.
While technical experts are expected to provide detailed insights into the Convention itself, the session also outlined key steps taken by the Government to strengthen the country’s overall cybersecurity readiness. These measures are intended to ensure that Sri Lanka’s digital ecosystem remains secure, resilient, and future-ready in the face of evolving cyber threats.
SLCERT reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with government agencies, the private sector, civil society, and international partners as the country progresses toward ratification and implementation of the UN Convention against Cybercrime. (Newswire)