Sri Lanka is on the verge of introducing pivotal legislation to support its digital transformation efforts, according to Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy. The forthcoming laws, namely the Digital Economy Act and the Cyber Security Act, aim to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the nation’s digitalization initiatives.
The Digital Economy Act is set to create a Digital Economy Authority, which will unify all government ministries and state-run institutions into a cohesive digital ecosystem. Weeraratne emphasized the necessity of this act, stating, “The Digital Economy Act is essential because we need proper policies and frameworks for the digital activities we are currently undertaking.”
In parallel, the Cyber Security Act will lay the foundation for a Cyber Security Authority. Weeraratne highlighted the importance of this measure, saying, “As we move toward digitalization, it is crucial that we have the right protections to face threats in cyberspace. We need to ensure that cyber security measures are properly and legally enforced within these digital systems.”
The drafting of these legislative bills is nearing completion, and the government anticipates presenting both to parliament within the year.
(Colombo/February 25/2026)
