Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
Wednesday, 11 February 2026 00:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
A high-level discussion on implementing the Cabinet decision to connect critical State institutions to the National Cyber Security Operations Centre (NCSOC) was yesterday, marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s national cyber security framework.
The session held at the Old Parliament Building in Colombo, was jointly organised by Sri Lanka CERT and the Digital Economy Ministry and brought together key stakeholders to review progress and outline the next phase of implementation.
A statement issued by the President’s Media Division noted the participants emphasised that in the modern digital environment, cyber security can no longer be viewed solely as a technical issue, but must be treated as a matter of national importance with direct implications for national security, economic stability and public trust in State institutions.
Discussions focused in particular on ensuring that all State institutions operating critical information infrastructure are connected to the National Cyber Security Operations Centre. Officials noted that the necessary policy-level decisions have already been approved by the Cabinet, providing a clear mandate for implementation. The second phase of the initiative, which involves linking the remaining government institutions to the NCSOC, is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.
Priority is to be given to institutions deemed critical to the functioning of the state, with plans also in place for these entities to be audited through the National Audit Office. This approach is intended to ensure accountability, compliance and the effective management of cyber risks across the public sector.
In addition, the importance of properly implementing awareness and training programs on digital security for all public sector officials was highlighted during the session.
It was further stated that as Sri Lanka moves towards a digital economy, cyber resilience must be considered a fundamental component of governance and public service delivery. The new mechanism is expected to help prevent and manage disruptions to essential services in the face of cyber threats such as defacement of government websites, ransomware attacks, and data breaches.
“Through the National Cyber Security Operations Centre, State institutions will gain access to real-time threat monitoring, early warning systems, and coordinated incident response capabilities. As such, this initiative was described not merely as a compliance exercise, but as an investment in institutional credibility and resilience,” the statement added.
The event was attended by the Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, Digital Economy Ministry Acting Secretary Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Sri Lanka CERT Chairman Tilak Pathirage, Sri Lanka CERT Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kanishka Karunasekera, officials from the Presidential Secretariat along with several other officials. A number of Heads and Senior Officials from State institutions identified as operating critical information infrastructure also participated in the discussion.
