CICRA Campus concludes pioneering Certified Data Protection Officer Training Program

Tuesday, 9 December 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

CICRA Campus has successfully concluded its inaugural Certified Data Protection Officer (DPO) Training Program, marking a pivotal moment in Sri Lanka’s journey toward comprehensive data protection and regulatory compliance.

The four-day intensive program brought together a distinguished group of senior professionals, including Chief Executive Officers, Directors, and specialised managers in legal, compliance, and IT/security roles, equipping them with both foundational knowledge and practical implementation strategies aligned with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).

This milestone training program coincides with a historic development: The Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Act, No. 22 of 2025, has now been officially passed and certified into law. With the PDPA fully in force, compliance is no longer optional but a legal requirement. This inaugural cohort of students represents the first certified professionals trained under the new legal regime, prepared to conduct data audits, manage security breaches, perform impact assessments, and establish robust organisational data protection frameworks, marking the beginning of a new era in Sri Lanka’s data governance landscape.

The program was significantly enriched by expert insights, featuring a special address from Data Protection Authority Director Jayantha Fernando as the Invited Guest Speaker.

Sessions were also led by renowned industry experts, including General Counsel, DPO, and Member of the PDPA Drafting Committee Trinesh Fernando, Codegen Innovations Head – Legal Shenuka Jayalath, and Dialog Axiata PLC Assistant Manager – Regulatory Rashmin Tirimanne De Silva, who shared practical expertise and sector-specific knowledge with the participants.

This landmark training initiative followed the success of Sri Lanka’s first-ever Data Privacy and Protection Summit 2025, held on 3 July, which convened over 350 professionals and industry leaders to explore the PDPA’s legal framework and the evolving role of DPOs. Together, the DPO Program and the Summit underscore Sri Lanka’s strategic commitment to cultivating skilled professionals and strengthening national capacity in data governance.

To honour the achievements of the Inaugural DPO Cohort, CICRA Campus hosted the DPO Awarding Ceremony on 19 November at BMICH. The event was graced by Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, as the Chief Guest, alongside Guests of Honours Digital Economy Ministry Acting Secretary Waruna Dhanapala and DPA Chairman Rajeeva Bandaranaike.

CICRA Campus said it continues to lead the way in empowering organisations to meet global data protection standards and drive digital trust across industries.

Pix by Upul Abayasekara