In line with the directives of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, His Excellency the President, a special meeting was convened at the Presidential Secretariat to expedite the implementation of the Cabinet decision to connect Critical Government Institutions to the National Cyber Security Operations Centre (NCSOC).
The establishment of the NCSOC by Sri Lanka CERT, under the guidance of the Ministry of Digital Economy, marks a significant milestone in strengthening Sri Lanka’s national cyber security framework. The initiative aims to enhance real-time threat monitoring, coordinated incident response, and proactive cyber defence mechanisms across critical government infrastructure.
The meeting was led by Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eng. Eranga Weeraratna, and Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy, Mr. Waruna Sri Dhanapala.
During the session, it was underscored that cyber security is no longer merely a technical concern, but a matter of national importance that directly impacts public trust, economic stability, and national security. Senior officials of Sri Lanka CERT conducted a comprehensive demonstration of the capabilities of the NCSOC, including the functions of the newly established Malware Analysis and Threat Hunting (MATH) Lab.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of strengthening cyber security awareness and implementing structured digital security training programmes for public sector officials. As Sri Lanka advances toward a digital economy, cyber resilience was recognized as an essential pillar of governance and public service delivery.
The NCSOC is expected to play a vital role in safeguarding government digital infrastructure against evolving cyber threats, including ransomware attacks, data breaches, and website defacements. Through this centralized mechanism, government institutions will gain access to early warning systems, real-time monitoring, and coordinated national-level incident response capabilities.
The initiative was described not merely as a compliance requirement, but as a strategic investment in institutional credibility, operational continuity, and national resilience.
Director General of Pensions, Mr. Chaminda Hettiarachchi; Director IT of the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. G.V.D. Priyantha; and Mr. Aravinda Rathnayake, Senior Engineer of ICTA, shared their experiences in connecting their respective institutions to the National SOC.
At the session, Chairman of Sri Lanka CERT, Mr. Thilak Pathirage; Acting Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka CERT, Dr. Kanishka Karunasena; Mr. Mahinda Kandapahala, Chief Information Security Officer (NCSOC) of Sri Lanka CERT; Mr. Senalike Dewalawaththa, Head of the MATH Lab; and Mr. Pathum Bandara and Mr. Vimuthki Perera of NCSOC delivered presentations.
Staff members of Sri Lanka CERT, along with heads and senior representatives of critical government organisations participated in the discussion.
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT), along with the Ministry of Digital Economy successfully hosted the 16th National Cyber Security Conference of Sri Lanka at the Water's Edge hotel in Battaramulla, on November 12, 2025
The conference was held under the theme "Building a Trusted and Cyber Resilient Nation," has attracted over 400 policymakers, industry professionals, academics, technology experts, and representatives from government, private sector, corporate organizations, NGOs, and universities.
The conference was centered on the sub-theme “Shaping Policy, Enabling Practice, and Strengthening National Response Capacity” reflecting the country’s strategic direction to enhance cyber preparedness, digital trust, and national resilience in an era of increasing cyber threats.
The conference contributed to the ongoing development of robust multi-stakeholder collaboration in which all sectors actively participate in cybersecurity development and capacity upgrading. In terms of strengthening institutional capacity, increasing public awareness, and encouraging responsible digital innovation for the future, the 2025 edition was groundbreaking.
National cyber governance, critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity law and data protection frameworks, online safety, operational resilience, international cyber defense cooperation, and the responsible use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and quantum systems have all been addressed through additional speeches, thematic sessions, and fireside discussions.
Public online safety, legal preparedness for a digital nation, cybersecurity as the cornerstone of digital economic growth, and the safe adoption of developing technology were all covered in a number of panel talks. In an effort to contribute to evidence-based national policy and institutional development, experts from various sectors participated in these panels.
This year’s conference was supported by key industry sponsors. Dialog Enterprise serves as the Principal Sponsor, while Check Point partners as the Platinum Sponsor. Fortinet joins as the Gold Sponsor, TikTok partners as the Strategic Partner for Online Safety, and Sentry Labs supported as the Silver Sponsor. The collaboration of these organizations reflects the shared commitment to advancing national cybersecurity and public digital protection in Sri Lanka.
The 16th National Cyber Security Conference of Sri Lanka, with the theme "Building a Trusted and Cyber Resilient Nation," will be taking place on November 12, 2025, at the Water's Edge hotel in Battaramulla, said the Hon. Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eng. Eranga Weeraratne.
His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka will be the Chief Guest of the event which will host over 400 participants, including both national and international representatives.
This national event is jointly organized by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT), bringing together policymakers, industry professionals, academics, technology experts, and representatives from government, private sector, corporate organizations, NGOs, and universities said Hon. Minister.
This year’s focus is centered on the sub-theme “Shaping Policy, Enabling Practice, and Strengthening National Response Capacity” reflecting the country’s strategic direction to enhance cyber preparedness, digital trust, and national resilience in an era of increasing cyber threats.
Mr. Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy, will give the opening remarks for the conference, emphasizing cybersecurity as the cornerstone of economic expansion and global competitiveness. This will be followed by a Special Address from Dr. Kanishka Karunasena, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka CERT, who will discuss the implementation of Sri Lanka’s National Cyber Security Strategy. Takafumi Kadono, the Asian Development Bank's Country Director for Sri Lanka, will give the keynote address, which will focus on global cybersecurity trends shaping national preparedness.
The Hon. Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, will deliver a speech on strengthening public trust in digital systems. Additional guest speeches, thematic sessions, and fireside discussions will explore national cyber governance, critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity law and data protection frameworks, online safety, operational resilience, global cyber defense collaboration, and the responsible use of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Cloud computing, and Quantum systems.
Several panel discussions will examine cybersecurity as a foundation of digital economic growth, legal readiness for a digital nation, public online safety, and the secure adoption of emerging technologies. Experts from multiple sectors will contribute to these panels to support evidence-based national policy and institutional development.
This year’s conference is supported by key industry sponsors. Dialog Enterprise serves as the Principal Sponsor, while Check Point partners as the Platinum Sponsor. Fortinet joins as the Gold Sponsor, TikTok partners as the Strategic Partner for Online Safety, and Sentry Labs supports as the Silver Sponsor. The collaboration of these organizations reflects the shared commitment to advancing national cybersecurity and public digital protection in Sri Lanka.
The National Cyber Security Conference continues to be one of Sri Lanka’s most significant platforms for driving collective national action in cybersecurity. The 2025 edition is expected to play a transformative role in strengthening institutional capabilities, raising public awareness, and promoting responsible digital innovation for the future.
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