In a move to strengthen Sri Lanka’s regulatory approach to virtual assets, the Ministry of Digital Economy, together with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), convened a high‑level awareness forum on Monday (15) under the theme “Collaborating for a Secure Digital Future: Virtual Assets.”

Presided over by Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne, the session brought senior policymakers, regulators, and industry experts together to examine global precedents, domestic market realities, and risk‑management strategies aimed at shaping a secure and compliant digital financial ecosystem.

During the forum, distinguished industry experts Nisal Chandrasekara and Dinindu Thewarathanthri served as resource persons, delivering comprehensive insights across three core strategic areas:

• The Sri Lankan Market Reality: Evaluating the domestic operational landscape of peer-to-peer (P2P) channels and offshore trading platforms, alongside a rigorous assessment of the economic and structural risks inherent to entirely unregulated financial environments.
• Global Precedents: Analyzing successful regulatory frameworks and adaptational strategic pathways implemented by established regional hubs, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia, to identify practical models suitable for Sri Lanka.
• Risk Management & Compliance: Focusing on essential security and compliance protocols, including advanced transaction monitoring, stringent Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) controls, and the integration of blockchain traceability tools.

Furthermore, the session provided participants with a foundational understanding of how virtual assets are created, traded, stored, and utilized across modern economic sectors. 

This included brief overviews of primary use cases such as specialized investment products (including Exchange-Traded Funds [ETFs] and self-custody holdings), efficient cross-border payments and remittances, the tokenization of real-world assets, and capital formation for emerging startups through strategic token issuance. (Newswire)

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The Ministries of Digital Economy and Public Administration have jointly introduced interim guidelines for heads of government institutions on the optimal use of digital technologies in delivering public services remotely. 

According to the Ministry of Digital Economy, the move follows a Cabinet Committee directive aimed at ensuring the systematic maintenance of public services amid ongoing energy challenges.

The Cabinet Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, instructed the Ministry of Digital Economy to explore remote work options in consultation with the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. 

The decision comes against the backdrop of unrest in the Middle East since February 28, 2026, and global economic trends that have strained Sri Lanka’s fuel supply and energy management.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Digital Economy has compiled guidelines in all three languages, available at https://mode.gov.lk/docs/guidelines. The document outlines approved methods for conducting administrative and service delivery activities from home or office using digital technology.

The guidelines state that under the Electronic Transactions Act No. 19 of 2006, government documents created, approved, and circulated electronically are legally valid. Scanned signatures, digital signatures, and approvals via official government email are recognized as authentic.

The government’s official video conferencing platform, https://meet.gov.lk, introduced during the Covid‑19 pandemic, has been recommended as the primary tool for official communication, with commercial platforms permitted as alternatives for limited periods.

Heads of Departments have been encouraged to strengthen the digital skills of officers and staff, while ensuring strict protection of official information. The initiative aligns with the Digital Economy Blueprint, a priority development program of the current government.

The Ministry of Public Administration has also issued Circular No. 02/2026 dated April 23, instructing Secretaries of Ministries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, and all Heads of Departments to inform public officials of the guidelines and ensure implementation.

Institutions, including the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Public Administration, and the Ministry of Digital Economy, are coordinating efforts to embed these practices across the public, the ministry added in a statement. (Newswire)

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today unveiled a comprehensive national roadmap to transform Sri Lanka into a USD 25–30 billion digital economy by 2030, stressing that the country must urgently modernise its digital infrastructure, strengthen governance, and create high-value employment for its youth.

Speaking in Parliament, Sajith Premadasa said Sri Lanka has the potential to become a regional technology hub if it invests decisively in telecommunications upgrades, data centres, cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence education and large-scale IT talent development. He emphasised the need to expand 5G nationwide, incentivise fibre connectivity, partner with global cloud providers and establish tech investment zones across all 25 districts.

The MP further called for a fully digitalised public service, including a national digital identity, digital signatures, inter-agency data platforms and 100% online access to government services such as licences, land registry work, court filings and permits. Digital payment adoption, interoperable QR systems and fintech innovation were highlighted as essential to building a cashless economy and reducing corruption.

He also proposed establishing a national start-up fund, promoting AI, fintech, agri-tech and health-tech ventures, offering tech visas to global experts, and boosting IT-BPM exports from USD 1.8 billion to USD 10 billion by 2030. He underscored the importance of digitalising traditional sectors like agriculture, tourism and fisheries, improving cybersecurity, updating outdated laws and expanding digital literacy nationwide.

Sajith Premadasa said the SJB stands ready to lead Sri Lanka into a modern digital era, adding, “It’s time to walk the talk and make our digital dream a reality.” (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Digital Economy says GovTech Ltd., the organization replacing the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), is expected to become fully operational within 3–6 months.

According to the Sunday Morning newspaper, Acting Secretary to the Ministry, Waruna Sri Dhanapala, said an appropriate organisational structure is yet to be determined for the entity and that the required workforce was yet to be hired.

He further said that the ministry has commenced the process to hire a consultancy firm to recommend an appropriate organisational structure.  

Waruna Sri Dhanapala also revealed that the government has formally incorporated GovTech as a legal entity, appointing Hans Wijayasuriya as its Chairman, along with the Board of Directors. 

He said the government has allocated funds in the Budget 2026 for the operations of GovTech, while financial support will also be received from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

The Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy noted that ICTA will not be shut down until these measures are implemented and GovTech becomes fully operational. 

He said that a Cabinet decision had been made to close down ICTA and that the Treasury had been instructed to commence the liquidation process accordingly. 

However, it is essential to ensure that GovTech is established in parallel with this liquidation, Waruna Sri Dhanapala added. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s first Telecommunications Infrastructure Services License was awarded on Tuesday (02 Sept) to EDOTCO Services Lanka (Private) Limited, a subsidiary of EDOTCO Group, Asia’s leading integrated telecommunications infrastructure provider.

The license, issued by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), introduces a new regulatory framework under Section 17B of the Sri Lanka Telecommunications (Amendment) Act, formally recognizing the role of independent mid-tier companies in strengthening the nation’s digital ecosystem. 

According to the Ministry of Digital Economy, this marks a historic shift in the telecommunications sector, enabling greater infrastructure sharing and collaboration to accelerate connectivity across the island.

The government highlighted its commitment to working with independent infrastructure providers to expand coverage, enhance efficiency, and ensure that every citizen, including those in rural and underserved areas, can benefit from digital services and solutions.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne, stressed that expanding connectivity is fundamental to enabling citizens to access government services and integrate digital technology into their daily lives.

The event was attended by Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy; Hans Wijesuriya, Senior Presidential Advisor on Digital Economy; Bandula Herath, Director General of TRCSL; Gayan Koralage, Managing Director of EDOTCO Sri Lanka; along with ministry officials and industry representatives. (Newswire)

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A special session was held for parliamentarians from both ruling and opposition parties to be briefed on the government’s strategic approach to digitalization, a key focus area in its policy framework and national budget. 

According to the Ministry of Digital Economy, the session was conducted to enhance awareness of the government’s digital economy policies.

Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy Waruna Sri Dhanapala, and Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya were among the key figures present at the event, alongside ministry officials and representatives from affiliated institutions. 

Speaking at the session, Deputy Minister Weeraratne emphasized that the establishment of the Ministry of Digital Economy reflects the government’s commitment to accelerating economic growth through digitalization. 

He further elaborated on the structural reforms within the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), which will now operate under two divisions within the ministry. Additionally, he provided insights into the roles of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) and the Data Protection Authority (DPA), with a strong emphasis on ensuring data security. 

The Deputy Minister reaffirmed the government’s dedication to protecting citizens’ data, announcing that the implementation of the Personal Data Protection Act, originally set for enforcement this month, has been postponed by six months to allow for further refinements. 

The government’s digital economy strategy is structured around five key focus areas, designed to facilitate comprehensive economic growth. 

Public Sector Digitalization a major component of the strategy involves digitizing public services to improve accessibility, efficiency, and security while reducing bureaucracy and curbing corruption. Digital identity and digitalized payment mechanisms will play a crucial role in this transformation. 

With the Digital Economy Expansion of Sri Lanka currently generating USD 1.2 billion from its digital industry, the government aims to elevate this figure to USD 5 billion in the near future. 

With Digital Industry Expansion by promoting digital payment platforms like GovPay, the government intends to optimize financial investments and target a digital revenue increase to USD 15 billion within five years. 

Through digitalization in key industries, the Ministry of Digital Economy is actively working towards integrating digital technology into crucial sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and trade, thereby enhancing efficiency and growth in these industries.

Through Digital Capacity Building, recognizing the importance of a skilled workforce in driving digital transformation, the government is committed to establishing educational programs that improve digital literacy and produce highly skilled professionals in the technology sector. 

Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, noted that while discussions on digital transformation have been ongoing for two decades, the real implementation process is now materializing. 

He outlined the economic benefits of digitalization and how the government’s policy framework will ensure a smooth transition. 

The session provided an opportunity for parliamentarians to engage in discussions with key officials from the Ministry of Digital Economy, ICTA, TRCSL, DPA, and the Department of Registration of Persons. Questions regarding institutional responsibilities, future initiatives, and policy implementation strategies were effectively addressed. 

The Ministry of Digital Economy added that with digital transformation set to play a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s economic future, the government remains focused on fostering an inclusive digital economy, enhancing regulatory frameworks, and driving technological advancements across multiple sectors. (Newswire)

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A meeting on the RDMNS mobile application, which updates information on railway services, was held at the Ministry of Digital Economy recently.

According to the ministry, the meeting was attended by Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne, ministry advisors, and the voluntary youth group creators of the RDMNS mobile application.

The meeting focussed on integrating RDMNS with the Railway Department so that passengers experience a more efficient, transparent, and fully digitized railway service. 

During the discussion, the officials emphasised that digital technology has to be utilized to enhance the overall passenger experience, make rail transport efficient, and drive tourism through advanced transport services.

In addition, novel digital plans for railway operations were deliberated, like enhanced real-time tracking, scheduling based on artificial intelligence, and mobile tickets. 

The Ministry of Digital Economy added that Sri Lanka is taking a huge leap in the direction of a smart, technology-powered railway system for the citizens and the economy.

The RDMNS Railway Network Organization (Ratawata Dumriya Mageenge Sansadaya) is a voluntary platform led by Sri Lankan railway commuters to provide real-time railway information. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a Memorandum from the President, as the Minister of Digital Economy, to amend the Personal Data Protection Act No. 9 of 2022.

Issuing a statement, the Acting Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy, Waruna Sri Dhanapala said the approval was granted last week (19 Feb), making it the first-ever legislation of its kind in South Asia.

He further said that therefore, the original enforcement date, set for 18 March 2025, as per Extraordinary Gazette No. 2366/08 issued on 8th January 2024, would be required to be amended to grant additional time for enforcement of this Act in state entities. 

Waruna Sri Dhanapala added that after due consideration, the Cabinet has proposed an extension of six (06) months to the enforcement date, allowing more time to fully integrate the proposed amendments and ensure that all stakeholders are aligned and well-prepared.

He further noted that recognizing the importance of having a future-ready enforcement regime, which will equally support both public and private sector adoption of digital strategies, and considering the necessity to support the establishment of a fully-fledged Regulator with the capacity to meaningfully address the rights of data subjects, Cabinet approval was obtained before the Personal Data Protection Act is brought into operation. 

As the first-ever legislation of its kind in South Asia, the Act is a pivotal step in safeguarding citizens’ rights while being an enabler to facilitate growth and innovation in the digital economy. The amendments are designed to strengthen this landmark law, ensuring that it can be fully operationalized and embraced with greater technology choices, across all sectors of society.

The proposed amendments incorporate concerns as well as valuable feedback from the Government sector, private sector, and other key stakeholders in response to the Draft Rules, Draft Regulations, Draft Directives and Draft Guidelines published by the Data Protection Authority (DPA). 

Waruna Sri Dhanapala pointed out that many stakeholders, especially from the public sector, have expressed the need for additional time to enhance their human and technical infrastructure, enabling them to fully comply with the enforcement provisions of the Act. Some public sector institutions have suggested amendments to the Act, particularly to provide the public sector with more flexibility in making technology choices, similar to the private sector, to enable the adoption of AI Systems etc.  

Considering that this law would apply to the Central Government as well as Provincial Councils, Local Authorities, Divisional Secretariats and Grama Niladhari level alike, the Government is cognizant of the need to create more capacity and therefore the need to provide additional time to ensure compliance. 

The proposed amendments to the PDPA approved by the Cabinet of Ministers would enable a change to the date of operation of the enforcement provisions in the Act. 

Other amendments, including Sections 17, 19, 20, 24, 26, 27, 53, and 56, drafted by the Ministry of Digital Economy in consultation with DPA and the Legal Draftsman’s Department, have also been approved by the Cabinet. 

The Acting Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy said the government is now in the process of submitting these amendments to Parliament for approval and the Ministry of Digital Economy will publish the Amendments on its website shortly. (Newswire)

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The Number Portability Service for mobile phones will be implemented in Sri Lanka from next June, officials from the Ministry of Digital Economy said during a meeting with the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Digital Economic Affairs. 

During the meeting, the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Digital Economic Affairs discussed the possibility of mobile phone users regaining the same mobile phone number they used when changing their mobile phone network operator.

The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Digital Economic Affairs also decided to hold a workshop on the 10th of March 2025 to brief all Members of Parliament about the upcoming programme related to the government’s digital economic activities.

This decision was made during the meeting held in Parliament yesterday, chaired by the Minister of Digital Economy, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and attended by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

Addressing the meeting, the President emphasized the importance of accelerating the development of Sri Lanka’s digital economy, which is a key government priority and a nationwide transformation.

Officials from the Ministry of Digital Economy provided details on the future sectors of digital economic activities, informing the Committee that ICTA, the leading body in state digitalization, will be brought under the Digital Economy Authority, with arrangements being made to enhance service delivery.

Furthermore, as various state institutions have developed separate systems for collecting information and data, the members emphasized the need for these systems to be integrated and managed through a single institution in the future. 

In response, the President stated that such systems should be developed under state supervision, revealing that instructions have been issued to ministry secretaries to refrain from creating new systems at this time. 

The President further highlighted the importance of tailoring these systems to meet the specific needs of each institution.

The MPs also brought to the attention of the officials the issues related to weak telephone signal coverage in certain areas of the island. 

In response, the ministry officials informed the Committee that plans are underway to construct 50 new signal towers in areas identified under the Village Communication Program and that this initiative aims to reduce telephone signal disruptions to some extent.

During this discussion, views were expressed on the use of cryptocurrency, to which the President said that the final decision on whether to allow its use in Sri Lanka or not will be implemented based on the recommendations of the Governor of the Central Bank.

The discussion also covered measures being implemented to protect the personal data of citizens, strategies for handling emerging technologies, including AI, and the salaries of IT engineers. (Newswire)

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