A special workshop on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform the public service into a productive and efficient one was held for government executive officers recently (17). 

According to the President’s Office, the workshop, titled “AI for Transforming Public Service”, was held at the Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Auditorium of the University of Ruhuna. 

Executive-level government officers from the Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts participated in the workshop, organised by the Southern Provincial Council in collaboration with the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Digital Economy. 

The workshop aimed to create awareness and preparedness among public officers as an initial step in the government’s programme for the digitalisation of the public service and to foster a positive attitude towards Artificial Intelligence within the state sector. 

Chief Adviser to the President on Digital Economy, Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, delivered the keynote address. Officials from the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, including Harsha Purasinghe and Samisa Abeysinghe, members of the ministry’s Digital Task Force, also contributed as resource persons. 

Among those present were the Chief Secretary of the Southern Province, Attorney-at-Law Sumith Alahakoon, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, District Secretaries and several other distinguished officials. (Newswire)

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US multinational technology company, Meta Platforms, Inc., has launched a Digital Government Day program to upskill media secretaries and representatives of state media institutions. 

The Digital Government Day program has been launched in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA).

This is the first workshop that provided the necessary skills in using digital media such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads effectively to communicate the digital transformation journey.

The sessions were conducted and led by Kaiya Waddell, Director of Government & Social Impact – APAC, Neha Mathur – Partner Manager, Government & Social Impact, Dr Priyanka Bhalla – Safety Policy Manager, South Asia, and Senura Abeywardena -Head of Public Policy, Central Asia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka & Maldives.

The discussions focused on several themes, including digital transformation journeys for governments maximising reach and impact, best practices on community building, and engaging citizens through storytelling and best practices on reels and emerging formats.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthening digital communication, the event was attended by Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, Consultant at the Ministry of Digital Economy Sumudu Ratnayake and Director of Electronic Media at the President’s Media Division Isuru Anuradha. (Newswire)

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The Parliamentary delegation, led by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage, which visited China to attend the Workshop for Members of Parliament of Sri Lanka, has concluded its visit.

The workshop, organized by the International Cooperation Centre of the National Development and Reform Commission of China and sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of China, was held from June 20 to July 6, 2025.

The delegation comprised both government and opposition members who serve as office bearers and executive committee members of the Sri Lanka-China Parliamentary Friendship Association. 

The government representatives included Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, MPs Samanmali Gunasingha, Lakmali Hemachandra, Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga, Ajith Gihan, Krishnan Kalaichelvi, Dinindu Saman Hennayake, Bhagya Sri Herath, Aboobucker Athambawa, Ashoka Gunasena, and Thanura Dissanayake. 

The opposition was represented by MPa Kins Nelson, B. Ariyawansha, and Anuradha Jayaratne.

The delegation was accompanied by officials, including Chaminda Kularatne, Chief of Staff & Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament, Ranil Nanayakkara, Senior Parliamentary Protocol Officer, and Thilini Thusharika Gamage, Management Service Officer of the Office of the Leader of the House of Parliament.

During the visit, the delegation travelled to Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province, where they held productive discussions with Liu Kebin, Vice Mayor and Member of the Party Group of the Shenyang Municipal Government.

As part of their study program, the delegation also visited Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province in eastern China. There, they engaged in bilateral discussions with Chen Zhongwei, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province, aimed at further strengthening the cordial relations between the two countries. The program also included several field visits and cultural sightseeing activities.

The workshop concluded with a closing ceremony held in Beijing on July 5, 2025, attended by senior officials from the Department of International Cooperation of the NDRC and the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China, Majintha Jayesinghe.

Throughout their stay, the delegation gained valuable insights into various aspects of China’s development journey and reaffirmed their commitment to fostering stronger bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and China. (Newswire)

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A Parliamentary delegation from Sri Lanka, led by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, has visited China to attend a Workshop for Members of Parliament of Sri Lanka. 

The workshop, organized by the International Cooperation Centre of the National Development and Reform Commission of China and sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of China, commenced on 20 June and will conclude on 06 July.

According to a Parliament statement, the delegation consists of both government and opposition members who are office bearers and executive committee members of the Sri Lanka-China Parliamentary Friendship Association. 

The government representatives included Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, and Members of Parliament Samanmali Gunasingha, Lakmali Hemachandra, Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga, Ajith Gihan, Krishnan Kalaichelvi, Dinindu Saman Hennayake, Bhagya Sri Herath, Aboobucker Athambawa, Ashoka Gunasena, and Thanura Dissanayake. The opposition was represented by Members of Parliament Kins Nelson, B. Ariyawansha, and Anuradha Jayaratne.

The delegation was accompanied by officials, including Chaminda Kularatne, Chief of Staff & Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament, Ranil Nanayakkara, Senior Parliamentary Protocol Officer from Parliament Secretariat, and Thilini Thusharika Gamage, Management Service Officer of the Office of the Leader of the House of Parliament.

The workshop’s opening ceremony was held on 22 June at the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China, in the presence of Chen Shuai, Deputy Director General, Department of International Cooperation of the NDRC. The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China, Majintha Jayesinghe, also attended the ceremony.

On June 23, the delegation visited the National People’s Congress (NPC) and met with Wang Ke, Deputy Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress and Deputy Chairman of the China-Sri Lanka Friendship Group. During the meeting, both leaders discussed strengthening the existing cordial relations between China and Sri Lanka.

During their stay in China, the delegation will gain insights into various aspects of China’s national condition, including the prospects of the Development of the Belt and Road Initiative, Poverty Alleviation, Urban Development Planning, Digital Economy, Development and Application of Artificial Intelligence, Global Energy Transition, and Carbon Neutrality, among other interesting subject matters. 

These discussions are expected to enhance the delegation’s understanding of China’s development experiences and foster stronger bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and China. (Newswire)

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A workshop has been held on sensitizing and creating awareness among Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff on the issues faced by persons with disabilities.

The awareness workshop, held last week in Parliament under the theme “For an Unhindered Social Life”, was organized by the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities, chaired by MP Sugath Wasantha Silva.

Representatives of various groups representing persons with disabilities participated as resource persons in this sensitization and awareness-raising program. They also presented information on the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and the need to address them.

Addressing the programme, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities, MP Sugath Wasantha de Silva, said that he believes that necessary changes can be made by creating awareness and sensitization among public representatives in the legislative arena about the issues that people with disabilities face. 

He further said that to create a barrier-free social life, Parliament should formulate policies, and it is the responsibility of Parliamentarians to be more sensitive towards people with disabilities. He also stated that this awareness and sensitization program organized for this purpose, was successful.

The Deputy Co-Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities, MP Pathmanathan Sathyalingam, and many other Parliamentarians representing the government and the opposition participated in the event. (Newswire)

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Hash 3 3 (Pvt) Ltd, an innovative digital consultancy company with over a decade of experience in the Sri Lanka and presence in the UAE, is making significant strides in supporting the AI transformation in Sri Lanka. Today, Hash 3 Three hosts a landmark workshop uniting top business decision-makers from various industries to explore the potential of AI in revolutionizing their operations.

A Pioneer in Embracing Emerging Technologies

“Since our inception, Hash 3 Three has always been at the forefront of embracing new trends and technologies,” said Yasas Gunaratne, Founder of Hash 3 Three. “From our early days as a digital marketing company, we’ve consistently sought out innovative solutions to empower our clients and the broader ecosystem. Today, we’re proud to collaborate with AI experts to accelerate the growth of high-potential businesses.”

Driving AI Adoption and Dispelling Misconceptions

Asitha Wickramarachchi, CEO of Hash 3 Three, emphasized the company’s commitment to fostering a positive AI culture in Sri Lanka. “We’re actively working to encourage Sri Lankan companies and university students to embrace AI as a valuable tool, rather than succumbing to negative speculation. Our goal is to make AI a practical, everyday necessity for everyone.”

Human-Centred AI

Prof. Suranga Nanayakkara, School of Computing at the National University of Singapore (NUS), highlighted the importance of developing AI in a human-centered way. “AI can be a powerful force for good when implemented in ways that support human self- efficacy, promote creativity, clarify responsibility, and facilitate social participation” he said. “I am excited to partner with Hash 3 Three for my Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship (ICE) Programme 2024 that focus on human-centered AI”

Collaboration for AI-Driven Solutions

Nigel Ernest, a UAE-based partner of Hash 3 Three and founder of an AI-focused startup, shared his vision for transforming the banking and financial sector. “Our new AI model is designed to help financial institutions streamline processes, enhance standardization, and drive greater efficiency. We’re eager to collaborate with Sri Lankan banks and financial companies to implement these innovative solutions.”

AI in Action: Enhancing Efficiency and Communication

Rishad Thahir, VP of Digital at Hash 3 Three, spoke about the company’s firsthand experience with AI. “AI has become an integral part of our daily work, improving our team’s efficiency and communication. Through prompting and other AI-powered tools, we’re able to work more effectively and collaboratively than ever before.”

A Unique Showcase of AI-Powered Collaboration

Hash 3 Three invited the media to witness the workshop’s unique collaborative environment, where even competing companies worked together to discuss solving business challenges using AI. Participants expressed their enthusiasm for the opportunity to collaborate with AI experts from NUS and encouraged Hash 3 Three to host more such events in the future.

Paving the Way for Sri Lanka’s AI Journey

The workshop’s success highlights the growing interest and potential for AI adoption in Sri Lanka. By bringing together industry leaders, AI experts, and enthusiastic participants, Hash 3 Three is paving the way for a brighter, AI-powered future for the country.

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Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa has stressed the significance of assembling a policymaking team with diverse backgrounds and experiences for a successful governance structure. 

He made the remarks during the workshop “Policymaking & Governance: Navigating Geopolitical and Economic Challenges” organized by the National Council of Professionals and held in Colombo on Thursday (Oct 12). 

Dr. Irvin Studin, the Founder, Editor-in-chief, and Publisher of Global Brief Magazine, as well as the President of The Institute for 21st Century, delivered the keynote address. 

Other notable speakers were Eran Wickremarathna, a Member of Parliament, and Prof. Savithri Goonesekera, the former Dean of the Law Faculty and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo.

During his speech at the workshop, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa highlighted the exceptional opportunity provided by the event to explore an appropriate governance framework for Sri Lanka. 

He emphasized that a successful governance structure should incorporate individuals with expertise, specialization, and a strong general knowledge base. 

MP Premadasa stressed the significance of assembling a policymaking team with diverse backgrounds and experiences. 

In terms of fostering inclusivity in various aspects of society, such as social, economic, political, religious, and ethnic spheres, MP Premadasa underscored the importance of promoting inclusiveness. 

He argued that this approach would lead to a governance system in Sri Lanka that garners credibility, widespread acceptance, and legitimacy. (NewsWire)

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A workshop on Indian cinema was inaugurated at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Colombo today.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo said in a statement that State Minister of Urban Development and Housing Arundika Fernando was present on the occasion. 

Deputy Indian High Commissioner Vinod K Jacob participated in the inauguration and welcomed the delegation led by the highly decorated director, actor, screenwriter and lyricist from  Kannada cinema, Dr. Nagathihalli Chandrashekaran to the workshop.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Indian High Commissioner noted, “At a time when India and Sri Lanka are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations, it is indeed timely that we are having this workshop.” Wishing that the workshop would contribute to deepening people-to-people ties, he highlighted six main observations during the course of his speech.

First, every year, more than 2000 films are made in India. In 2011, the total number of cinema tickets sold was 3.5 billion. The history of Indian cinema is more than 100 years old. The pioneering filmmaker Dadasaheb Phalke, who is known as the father of Indian cinema, gave India the first full-length silent feature film titled ‘RAJA HARISHCHANDRA’ on 3 May 1913. Through this long journey, Indian cinema has enriched Indian society and vice versa. The movies have tackled issues like nationalism, women’s and children’s rights, caste, religion, class and the like.

Second, looking at the more than 100-year-old journey of Indian cinema and how we responded to the restrictions of Covid 19, there are some interesting trends. The fact that RRR’s Naatu Naatu won the Best Original Track at the latest Academy Awards is a testimony to the ability of Indian cinema to innovate. He quoted a report which estimated that the Hindi theatre-going universe shrank by 21.5 per cent compared to pre-pandemic levels. In contrast, most South Indian languages have shown stability or growth, with Kannada gaining the most at 25%, from 1.16 crore to 1.45 crore.

Third, it is important to recognize that commercial success is an essential element of the progress of Indian cinema. Equally, this is a fluid concept. Among the earliest examples in this regard is the success of the 1951 movie AWARA which set a record in terms of collection, and was overtaken in 1952 itself with collections for the movie AAN. This year, the movie PATHAAN has set fresh records. However, related to this is the aspect of success in terms of creative content which cannot only be measured by collections. The convergence of these two aspects namely the commercial and the creative depends in large measure on the audience.

Fourth, Kannada cinema has come a long way since the first talkie SATI SULOCHANA in the 1930s. Its output has been prolific and contributed to the vitality of Indian cinema and indeed Indian society. The KGF series is fresh in everyone’s minds but the workshop will educate about the versatility of Kannada cinema.

Fifthly, the ecosystem that enables Indian cinema flows from the freedom of speech and expression which is a fundamental right in the Indian constitution. The Cinematograph Act of 1952 is the main piece of legislation in this regard. As is normal in any other jurisdiction, there are structures and mechanisms that govern censorship, copyright and piracy including digital piracy.

Finally, the Government and people of India have stood by the people of Sri Lanka and have given support to the tune of USD 4 billion. This has been in line with the Government’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. It is important that Sri Lankan friends appreciate that such a policy can be successful only if the people of India support these initiatives. The Indian people continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka, the High Commission added. (NewsWire)

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