Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne says GovTech will take over the responsibilities previously handled by the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), but under a new framework designed to strengthen service delivery and accelerate Sri Lanka’s digital transformation.

Announcing the reform, Deputy Minister Weeraratne said GovTech will serve as the government’s primary technical institution, ensuring greater efficiency in public sector services. 

He explained that while ICTA was established to manage state technology initiatives, GovTech represents a restructured model with clearer mandates and operational differences.

Deputy Minister Weeraratne noted that the government’s digital economy plan rests on two pillars: the creation of a Digital Economy Authority to formulate policy, and GovTech to implement those policies.

“GovTech is not simply ICTA under a new name. It is a reorganized institution with a stronger focus on service delivery and digital infrastructure,” he said at a media briefing held this week (11).

The initiative has secured international backing, with the World Bank pledging USD 50 million and the Asian Development Bank USD 75 million over the next four years. In addition, Rs. 2 billion has been allocated from the Treasury for initial expenses.

According to the Deputy Minister, GovTech’s mission includes strengthening digital infrastructure nationwide and ensuring that even services provided by Grama Niladhari officers at the village level can be delivered more efficiently through digitalization. (Newswire)

The post GovTech to replace ICTA under new digital framework appeared first on Newswire.

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)

The post ICTA to GovTech Ltd : Digital Economy Ministry gives update appeared first on Newswire.

GovPay has facilitated over 21,600 online traffic fine payments since its launch in April 2025, generating more than Rs. 28 million in government revenue.

According to the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), the system continues to expand nationwide, providing citizens with a faster, more transparent, and efficient method to settle traffic fines.

Implemented under the Ministry of Digital Economy in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Police and LankaPay (Pvt) Ltd, GovPay enables motorists to pay fines online without visiting police stations or banks.

The digital platform was first introduced through pilot projects in Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, and Matale Districts, followed by expansion to the Western Province, expressways, and most recently, the Southern Province.

ICTA said the income collected reflects growing public trust in digital payments and demonstrates the success of Sri Lanka’s move toward a fully digitized public service.

GovPay’s integration across all provinces is expected to be completed in the coming months, allowing nationwide access to online fine payments. (Newswire)

The post 21,600 online traffic fine payments recorded via GovPay since April appeared first on Newswire.

The Information Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) has announced that the technical issues which caused the recent disruption to the Lanka Government Cloud (LGC) services have been fully resolved. 

Issuing a statement, the ICTA said all affected online government services are now fully operational and accessible to the public.

The ICTA further assured the public and government institutions that at no stage during the incident was the security or integrity of data compromised. 

Throughout the restoration process, the highest data protection and security standards were upheld, and no data loss has been reported, and the associated assurance processes were given precedence and priority over the speed of recovery, it said.

ICTA extended its sincere appreciation to all government institutions for their cooperation and support during the restoration period, and to the public for their patience and understanding.

“ICTA extends special thanks to all the industry partners for the immediate deployment of their resources and expertise, which was instrumental in the prompt restoration of the systems. Their action in treating the disruption as a critical national priority enabled a rapid return to operational status and underscored a commendable commitment to public service continuity.

“The recently contracted new and advanced LGC environment referenced in previous communiques of the ICTA is now ready to take over workloads from the existing environment through a carefully planned migration exercise. Contrary to mis-statements in certain media, the said migration exercise had not commenced at the time of the LGC failure. Preparation for migration was an exercise carried out in parallel with LGC recovery operations and was in no way related to the failure of the existing system,” the organization said. 

ICTA emphasized that it remains committed to ensuring the uninterrupted operation of digital government services. 

Continuous measures are being taken to strengthen the resilience, capacity, and reliability of the Lanka Government Cloud to support Sri Lanka’s growing digital ecosystem, it added. (Newswire)

The post Online Government services are now in full operation – ICTA appeared first on Newswire.

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) said no data loss or security breach has occurred following the disruption of several services hosted on the Lanka Government Cloud (LGC).

ICTA said the integrity of all data remains intact and critical systems are secure. A joint team of ICTA engineers and the cloud service provider is working around the clock to resolve the issue.

Manual alternatives for affected services, such as obtaining certificates from Divisional Secretariats, continue to be available to the public.

The agency said the next phase of the LGC modernization project, which began in October 2025, will enhance capacity and reliability. 

Full restoration of services is expected soon, with ICTA assuring stability and optimal performance once systems are back online. (Newswire)

The post Lanka Government Cloud services remain disrupted : ICTA assures no data loss appeared first on Newswire.

The affected systems include the Birth, Marriage and Death (BMD) Certificate System of the Registrar General’s Department, the e-Revenue License System (eRL 2.0) of the Provincial Departments of Motor Traffic (except the Western Province), the Police Clearance System, the Country of Origin Certificate Issuance System of the Department of Commerce, and the Pension System of the Department of Pensions.

Websites and services of the Department of Meteorology, Registrar of Companies, and the Sri Lanka Accounting and Auditing Standards Board have also been impacted.

ICTA said engineers and the service provider are working to restore the affected cloud services as soon as possible. In the meantime, the Registrar General’s Department has advised the public that certificate copies can be obtained manually from the relevant Divisional Secretariat.

While restoration of LGC services remains a high priority, ICTA said operational constraints are expected to ease with the ongoing expansion phase of the LGC that began in October 2025.

The agency apologized for the inconvenience caused to the public and institutions using LGC-hosted systems and assured that efforts are underway to restore services to full capacity. (Newswire)

The post Online Govt Services Disrupted Due to Lanka Government Cloud Issue appeared first on Newswire.

Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne says steps are being taken to liquidate the Information Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA).

Deputy Minister Weeraratne said the institution, which was established with World Bank support, has now fallen to a deplorable state.

He further said that the institution at present is in a condition where it cannot be brought to its former state. 

Eranga Weeraratne revealed that, similar to the former government’s decision, the current government too has decided that it should be liquidated.

“Firstly, we know the country needs an authority to make digital policies. So we have proposed establishing a Digital Economic Authority. The ministry is undertaking the necessary work in this regard. Secondly, we need an institution for the policies to be implemented. The GovTech Sri Lanka institution has already been established for this,” he explained. 

Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne expressed these views while speaking during a recent televised interview. (Newswire)

The post Govt to go ahead with decision to liquidate ICTA appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka’s Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) has announced that a nationwide system will be implemented to allow citizens to pay local fines digitally, from September this year. 

Addressing a media briefing held today, ICTA Board member Harsha Purasinghe said that steps will be taken to enable the payment of spot fines issued by the Police for traffic violations through the GovPay app.

Revealing details about the new online traffic fine payment system, he stated that the first phase would be launched by the end of this month in connection with Police stations in the Western and Southern Provinces.

“A few weeks ago, we received Cabinet approval. So, starting this month, we will begin implementing the process of collecting fines digitally across the island. We hope to introduce this in the first phase by the end of this month, covering Police stations in two provinces, the Western and Southern. Following that, we will rapidly expand the system to cover all police stations island-wide by September,” he said.

Harsha Purasinghe also mentioned that although the GovPay mechanism did not initially have a supporting app when it was launched, those apps are now ready, and people can carry out fine payments using their preferred bank through the system. (Newswire)

The post Govt to roll out GovPay for spot fines nationwide in September appeared first on Newswire.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the establishment of a state-owned company, as an independent institution, to accelerate Sri Lanka’s digital transformation and set up an institutional framework for digital economic development.

According to the government, approval was granted at the Cabinet meeting held in January 2025 to liquidate the currently implemented Sri Lanka Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) and to prepare a draft for the establishment of the Digital Economic Authority. 

In line with this, processes on existing digital strategies in Sri Lanka and other countries for establishing an institutional framework to expedite digital transformation in Sri Lanka and for digital economic development were studied. 

Accordingly, the need to establish a stable and well-defined institutional structure to achieve the expected objectives of digital strategies has been identified. 

As such, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Digital Economy, to establish a government-owned company, named ‘Gov Tech (Pvt) Limited’, as an independent institution with the necessary powers, enabling it to implement digital transformation projects that have already commenced and are planned for the future without any obstruction. (Newswire)

The post State-owned company to be established for Sri Lanka’s digital transformation appeared first on Newswire.

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) says steps are being taken to enable Govpay for the payment of traffic fines. 

According to ICTA Board Member, Harsha Purasinghe, the public will very soon be able to settle traffic fines through Govpay, to provide relief to motorists. 

It is reported that groundwork in this regard has been completed by the ICTA and an agreement is set to be signed soon. 

Govpay is a newly introduced official online payment platform for government-related services, such as taxes, fines, utility bills, and educational fees.

Speaking during a recent forum in Colombo, Harsha Purasinghe revealed that the newly appointed ICTA Board had found that despite being piloted, the Govpay digital payment platform had not been introduced.

“After coordination with several other agencies, Govpay was finally launched to the public with many new features within a short period. When we launched Govpay on the 7th, we had 16 government organisations on board. As of today, we have 25 organisations. Every week, we are adding new public institutions,” Purasinghe said. (Newswire)

The post Online traffic fine payment system : New update appeared first on Newswire.

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka has announced the appointment of the National AI Advisory Committee, marking a significant milestone in the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) journey. 

According to the ICTA, the Committee convened for its inaugural meeting recently and is set to play a pivotal role in implementing Sri Lanka’s National AI Strategy in alignment with the broader Digital Economy Strategy.

Established to provide strategic guidance and operational support, the Committee will oversee the formulation of AI policies and ensure their practical execution, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s commitment to a robust and inclusive digital transformation. 

Its key responsibilities include aligning AI strategies with government policies, identifying high-impact initiatives that enhance public services, and providing expert advice on regulatory frameworks, infrastructure development, skills enhancement, research and development, and the establishment of AI hubs. 

Additionally, the Committee will focus on promoting ethical AI practices, raising public awareness, and fostering capacity-building efforts.

The Committee comprises distinguished experts from diverse sectors, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to AI governance and innovation. The leadership team includes the following members:

• Dr. Romesh Ranawana (Chair) 
• Mr. Harsha Purasinghe (Convener, ICTA Board Director)
• Dr. Harsha Subasinghe
• Prof. Asoka Karunananda
• Dr. Srinath Perera
• Prof. Roshan Ragel
• Mr. Jayantha Fernando
• Mr. Yudhanjaya Wijeyratne
• Mr. Chandika Jayasundra, and 
• Mr. Yasith Fernando. 

To further enhance its expertise, the Committee will be supported by specialized sub-committees and an international Expert Group, offering global perspectives on AI policies and best practices.

The Committee’s strategic initiatives are structured around nine key pillars. These include AI infrastructure development to support national research and innovation, data-driven strategies for sustainable AI growth, and skills development programs aimed at modernizing university curricula and enhancing workforce capabilities in both the public and private sectors. Public awareness campaigns will be launched to educate citizens and guide career opportunities in AI.

Additionally, the Committee will spearhead AI research and development, foster a thriving startup ecosystem, encourage private sector adoption of AI technologies, and establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for effective governance. A strong focus will also be placed on building AI-driven solutions tailored to government applications, ensuring adherence to ICTA’s established governance protocols.

With this initiative, Sri Lanka takes a significant step towards becoming a regional leader in AI-driven innovation and digital governance. The National AI Advisory Committee’s work is expected to accelerate the country’s digital transformation, drive economic growth, and position Sri Lanka as a hub for responsible and sustainable AI development. (Newswire)

The post Sri Lanka appoints 10-member National AI Advisory Committee appeared first on Newswire.

The newly appointed Board of Directors of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) convened for their first meeting this afternoon (Nov 13).

Dr. Hans Wijeyasuriya, recently appointed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as the Principal Presidential Advisor on Digital Economy, chaired the board in a non-executive role.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), Dr. Wijeyasuriya’s leadership reflects a commitment to strengthening Sri Lanka’s digital economy, aiming to boost economic growth, enhance national competitiveness, and deliver meaningful digital benefits to citizens.

Other board members include Sanjaya Karunasena, Harsha Purasinghe, Chandima Cooray, Bandula Ranatunga, Jeffrey Sulfer, Samisa Abeysinghe, and Shanaka Rebel.

The ICTA Chairman and the Board of Directors are as follows;

Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya – Chairman

Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya is a distinguished telecommunications leader with over 30 years in the ICT industry, currently serving as Group CEO for Axiata Group’s Telecommunications Business across Asia. His career includes leading Dialog Axiata PLC to market leadership in Sri Lanka and pioneering Axiata’s digital ventures. An award-winning industry contributor, he holds degrees from Cambridge, Bristol, and Warwick and is actively involved in Sri Lanka’s development, including initiatives like the Unique Digital Identity program. Dr. Wijayasuriya also serves on boards of notable organizations, including GSMA and Sri Lankan Airlines.

Sanjaya Karunasena

Sanjaya Karunasena is a digital governance enthusiast, executive consultant, entrepreneur, enterprise software architect, and multi-skilled technologist with 26 years of industry experience and has worked with global software companies like Virtusa and WSO2. Served as the Chief Technology Officer of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka from 2008 to 2013. Co-founder of Nimbus Venture (Pvt) Ltd, Pontoon (Pvt) Ltd, and Digital Democracy Collective.

Harsha Purasinghe

Harsha Purasinghe is a technology entrepreneur and Eisenhower Fellow with over 25 years of experience building significant software products and solutions. He has founded multiple ventures, including Microimage Group – arguably Sri Lanka’s most successful high school startup from the ’90s – and is the Founder/Co-Founder of MiHCM and Futura Tech Labs. Purasinghe currently leads MiHCM, a global award-winning HRTech SaaS company with a presence in 20+ markets, impacting 1,000+ companies. He received the ‘Most Outstanding Entrepreneur in the ICT Industry of Sri Lanka’ awards in 2007 and the ‘Eisenhower Innovation Fellowship’ in 2014. As a highly respected industry leader, Purasinghe regularly addresses global events.

Chandima Cooray

Chandima Cooray has over 25 years of experience leveraging technology to drive business transformation across diverse industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and supply chain. Currently, he is a partner at Acornic Ventures and co-founded Ayubo.life, a digital health company. Formerly, he served as Chief Digital Officer at Hemas Holdings, advancing their digital initiatives and innovation efforts. His background includes executive education from top institutions and roles at leading organizations like Unilever and MAS Holdings.

Bandula Ranathunga

Bandula Ranathunga is an eGovernment and public administration expert with over 25 years of experience in digital transformation and public sector reform in Sri Lanka. He has managed projects in diverse areas, including healthcare, local government, and smart city initiatives, with notable achievements in business process re-engineering. Currently, he leads training and consultancy for the Smart Ticketing System at Sri Lanka Railway and has held senior roles at organizations like the ICTA and Colombo Municipal Council. His academic background includes multiple postgraduate qualifications in eGovernance and public administration.

Jiffry Zulfer

Jiffry Zulfer is a past President of the Digital Chapter of the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS). He is also the founder and CEO of Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka Ltd., which formed PickMe, the most successful tech-based startup which introduced online ride-hailing to Sri Lanka. Zulfer won the National Silver Award at the FCCISL Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year 2018, the FCCISL Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (April 2004) and the ICTA Young IT Professional Award (May 2006) for his efforts in technopreneurship.

Samisa Abeysinghe

Samisa Abeysinghe is a distinguished expert in software engineering, with extensive experience in AI, middleware technologies, full-stack development, and product management. Currently CTO at Avinya Foundation, he focuses on creating digital solutions for educational institutions and leads their IT vocational program. His prior roles include Solutions Architect at ICTA, VP roles in delivery and engineering at WSO2, and technology consultancy. With degrees in Computer Science and Advanced Computing, he mentors extensively on career growth and personal development.

Shanaka Rebel

Shanaka Rebel has 23 years of corporate experience across digital technology solutions, consulting, and leadership roles. Currently, as Group Chief Digital and Transformation Officer at Stretchline Holdings, he leads the Group’s digital vision and transformation towards a smart organization. He specializes in Industry 4.0, data analytics, process automation, and secure API ecosystems. Shanaka holds a Computer Science & Engineering degree from the University of Moratuwa, an MBA from Sheffield University, and a PMP certification, showcasing his dedication to lifelong learning. (Newswire)

The post 8 member Sri Lanka ICTA board announced appeared first on Newswire.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced a new initiative to advance Sri Lanka’s digital transformation, including plans to appoint a private-sector expert to lead the effort. 

While the expert’s identity has not been disclosed, it is believed the individual is a former CEO of a leading telecommunications company in Sri Lanka.

“We can no longer move forward with outdated systems,” Dissanayake said, adding “Whether it is buying a bus ticket, standing in line at the post office, or obtaining birth and death certificates, these processes are archaic. We need to bring efficiency into these systems.”

The President said that a key priority of this initiative would be enabling citizens to complete tasks like paying taxes from their homes through digital means. To oversee this transition, the expert will assume leadership roles in the forthcoming Digital Ministry, once established, and serve as Chairman of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA).

“An experienced expert is ready to dedicate his efforts to digitalising Sri Lanka voluntarily. He is expected to assume his duties within the next one to two weeks,” Dissanayake said, adding that the new ministry, once formed, would play a key role in implementing the changes. He further outlined a vision to enhance state efficiency over the next three to four years.

Addressing potential criticism, the President said, “Some may hope that we will stumble within a couple of months, but the National People’s Power (NPP) government is committed to building this nation. We will not deviate from this journey.” (NewsWire)

The post President announces Top Expert to Lead Sri Lanka’s Digitalization efforts appeared first on Newswire.

Some data of government offices under the purview of the President’s Office, Cabinet Office, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Health were affected in the ransomware attack between May 17 and August 26, 2023, the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) reported. 

According to News 1st, Director of Strategic Communications at ICTA Sampath de Silva confirmed a severe data loss incident affecting certain government offices using the “gov.lk” email domain.

He said crucial government information is exchanged via Lanka Government Network (LGN), utilizing the “mail@gov.lk” email domain.

Stating that the ransomware could have impacted approximately 5,000 email addresses, Sampath de Silva stated there was no offline backup for a critical two-and-a-half-month data period.

The online backup system was also compromised, resulting in the loss of emails during this time frame, Sampath de Silva further said.

He further said two key measures are being implemented to prevent future data loss, such as daily offline backup processes and the upgrading of the relevant application to the latest version with enhanced defences against virus attacks.

The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) together with the ICTA has taken steps to recover the lost data, he added. (NewsWire)

The post SL Govt emails missing after massive ransomware attack appeared first on Newswire.