Cyber Security Act to be presented to Parliament this year

• State Minister for Technology Kanaka Herath says World Bank expert support to Sri future cyber security strategic plan

As proposed in the Information and Cyber Security Strategy of Sri Lanka (2019: 2023), the Cyber Security Bill will be submitted to the Parliament this year, stated the State Minister for Technology Kanaka Herath.

He further pointed out that this Act leads to the establishment of the Cyber Security Regulatory Authority, Protect Critical National Information Infrastructure, and helps to mitigate the risk of maliciously misusing the digital systems from various cyber threats.

Herath expressed these views whilst attending a workshop in Colombo which was jointly organised by the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team (Sri Lanka CERT) and the World Bank in Colombo on Sri Lanka’s next cyber security strategy.

Over 100 personnel representing the IT sector including officials attached to ministries, departments, and other Government organisations attended the workshop.

The State Minister further explained that along with the development of the IT sector in the country, the Government has paid special attention to the aspects related to cyber security.

Herath, appreciating the technical and expert advisory support extended by the World Bank for Sri Lanka’s next cyber security strategy, also stated that this effort is extremely important at a time when Sri Lanka is embarking on its digital transformation.

“The Government has already taken steps to protect citizens’ privacy from the adverse effects that may arise from digitisation. Accordingly, the Data Protection Act which regulates the processing of personal data was approved in the Parliament last year. 

“Under that it is planned to establish the Data Protection Authority by March 2023. The Government has identified cyber security as an essential element in digitisation and it is necessary for the national security, national economy, and the security of various sectors of the country.”

Herath stated that from 2024 March onwards, all payments and charges of Government organisations are planned to be implemented only via digital electronic payment facilities, whilst adding that necessary steps have been already taken to drive the country towards a digital transformation.

World Bank Country Manager Chiyo Kanda pointed out that the World Bank has been continuously working for the development of Sri Lanka for nearly 70 years and will continue to provide the same support in future as well. She stressed the fact that in the current context there is a growing trend of cyber-attacks, particularly from 2021 to 2022, cyber-attacks have increased by 38% globally. She further added that necessary remedial actions should be taken to control this situation.

The World Bank Senior Digital Development Specialist Junko Narimatsu, the Secretary to the Ministry of Technology Prof. Niranjan Gunawardena, Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team (Sri Lanka CERT) Chairman Rohan Muttiah and Acting CEO Dr. Kanishka Karunasena also participated at the event.