CICRA Campus produces SL’s first Certified Data Protection Officers batch

Monday, 27 October 2025 02:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

CICRA Campus has concluded its inaugural Data Protection Officer (DPO) Training Program, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s journey towards robust data protection compliance.

The intensive four-day program attracted a high-calibre cohort of senior working professionals, including Chief and Deputy Executive Officers, Heads and Directors, as well as specialised Managers in legal, compliance, and IT/security functions.

Designed to equip participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, the program emphasised a hands-on approach to implementing the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) requirements. Participants gained technical expertise in conducting data audits, managing data security breaches, performing data protection impact assessments, and establishing comprehensive organisational data protection frameworks.

The program was structured in two levels. Level 1, introduced data protection principles, legal frameworks, and the role of the DPO, ensuring participants understood the core concepts and rights of data subjects and Level 2, focused on practical implementation, guiding participants through real-world challenges and operational strategies for compliance.

The program featured former PDPA Drafting Committee Chair Jayantha Fernando as an invited Guest Speaker. Training sessions were conducted by industry experts: DPO General Counsel and PDPA Drafting Committee member Trinesh Fernando; Dialog Axiata PLC Head of Group Regulatory, Data Protection and Compliance Shenuka Jayalath and Dialog Axiata PLC Assistant Manager – Regulatory Rashmin Tirimanne De Silva.

By bringing together diverse professionals and offering actionable, practical learning, CICRA Campus has set a benchmark for nurturing qualified Data Protection Officers in Sri Lanka, empowering them to drive data protection excellence within their organisations.

Building on this momentum, Sri Lanka’s first Data Privacy & Protection Summit 2025 was held on 3 July at Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo, bringing together over 350 senior professionals, legal experts, and industry leaders. The Summit provided a platform to explore PDPA’s regulatory and legal framework, organisational implementation strategies, and the critical role of DPOs. Keynote addresses and panel discussions featured leading figures from the digital economy, regulatory authorities, global corporations, and top consultancy firms, alongside panellists from legal, IT, and compliance sectors.

Together, these initiatives showcase CICRA’s commitment to cultivating skilled professionals and promoting organisational compliance, strengthening the Sri Lanka’s capacity to manage data protection challenges effectively, and positioning it as a leader in data governance in the region.