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Data Protection Authority comes into operation

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Sri Lanka’s new Data Protection Authority has come into operation following a gazette issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Minister of Technology.

A gazette notification dated July 19 said that provisions of part V of the Personal data Protection act, No. 9 of 2022 comes into operation from July 17 onwards.

“By virtue of the powers vested in me by Subsection (5) of Section 1 of the Personal data Protection act, No. 9 of 2022, read with paragraph (3) of article 44 of the Constitution of the democratic Socialist republic of Sri lanka, I, Minister of Technology, Ranil Wickremesinghe, do by this Order, appoint July 17, 2023 as the date on which the provisions of Part V of the aforesaid act shall come into operation,” the gazette signed by President Wickremesinghe said.

Part V of the act deals with the establishment of a Data Protection Authority, first proposed in November 2022.

Section (1) of Part V reads: “There shall be established an authority which shall be called the Data Protection Authority of Sri Lanka for the purposes of this Act.

Section (2) reads: “The Authority shall, by the name assigned to it by subsection (1), be a body corporate and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued in such name.”

Wickremesinghe told parliament in November that the government would take steps to set up the Data Protection Authority in 2023 and the body would be independent and engaged with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Securities and Exchange Commission, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRCSL) and all relevant sectoral regulators to ensure a proper governance of personal data.

Sri Lanka parliament enacted the Data Protection Act aiming to promote a digital economy amid concerns raised over the privacy of individuals and adverse impact on media reporting on March 10, 2022

The bill was passed without a vote after a raft of amendments was made to the original version.

(economynext.com)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by economynext.com has not been edited by SLM staff)

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Rain and winds forecast today

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Several spells of showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts today (July 11), the Department of Meteorology said.

A few showers may occur in the North-western province as well.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in North-western, North-central and Southern provinces.

The general public has also been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

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2024 O/L Exam results released

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The results of the 2024 G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination have been released online, the Department of Examination announced.

Accordingly, the Examinations Department announced that the examination results can be obtained from the websites: www.doenets.lk or www.results.exams.gov.lk.

The examination department requests applicants to contact the following hotlines if they seek to make any inquiries regarding these results: 1911 or 011 2 785 922, 0112 786 616, 011 2 784 208 or 011 2 784 537.

The statement further said that applications for the scrutiny of the O/L results will be called from July 14 to July 28.

A total of 474,147 applicants sat for the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination this year, of which 398,182 were school applicants and 75,965 private candidates.

The O/L examination was conducted at 3,663 examination centers from March 17 to 26.

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President meets Gates Foundation delegation

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (July 10) met with Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation, for high-level discussions focused on key areas critical to Sri Lanka’s development. 

The meeting, held at the Presidential Secretariat, explored collaborative efforts in agricultural modernisation, nutrition, digital public infrastructure and rural technological integration.

Central to the discussions was the Inclusive Digital Agriculture Transformation (IDAT) initiative, which leverages data and technology to enable better decision-making and service delivery for smallholder farmers. The initiative represents a shared commitment to modernising agriculture, improving rural livelihoods and enhancing climate resilience.

President Dissanayake welcomed the partnership, expressing optimism about the country’s path forward. “We welcome the continued support of the Gates Foundation as we work together to build a healthier, more equitable and digitally empowered Sri Lanka. This collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to sustainable development and improving the lives of all our citizens,” he said.

He further noted that the Government seeks the Foundation’s support for its broader programme aimed at integrating rural communities with modern global technology. 

Despite the economic challenges facing the nation, the President expressed gratitude for the Foundation’s engagement and emphasised that the visit would help identify and implement national development priorities.

Representatives of the Gates Foundation reiterated their commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s digital economy strategy. They highlighted that particular focus would be given to the digital transformation of the agriculture sector, with the aim of enhancing productivity and revitalising the economy. The Foundation also assured its full support for the wider socio-economic development agenda, including initiatives in the livestock and dairy industries.

President Dissanayake underscored the importance of connecting rural communities, many of whom remain unaware of global technological advancements, with the tools and knowledge needed for empowerment. He stressed the value of the Foundation’s global experience and technical expertise in addressing development challenges common to many countries.

“One of our Government’s foremost objectives is to extend advanced technology to all levels of society, not only to uplift the national economy but also to improve efficiency across all sectors,” the President noted.

Dr. Elias acknowledged Sri Lanka’s ongoing transformation and welcomed the opportunity for deeper engagement. “We value the opportunity to engage with the Government and local institutions as they pursue strengthened systems to support inclusive growth. Our continued discussions in areas such as agriculture, health and digital infrastructure reflect a shared interest in advancing impactful solutions. I would like to thank the President and the Government of Sri Lanka for their continued commitment to improving the lives of all those living in Sri Lanka,” he stated.

The Gates Foundation delegation included Dr. Chris Elias, President, Global Development Gates Foundation, Jamal Khan, Regional Representative for Policy & Government Relations, South and Southeast Asia; Archna Vyas, Director of Policy Advocacy and Communications, Thushan Wijesinghe, Director Enterprise Data Solutions and Chandita Samaranayake, Chairman Connect To Care. 

The Sri Lankan delegation included Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Mr. Eranga Weeraratne, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President; Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy; and Mr. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President.

(President’s Media Division)

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