• Personal Data Protection Act to be operational by mid-March
• Govt. to retain beneficial aspects of Nat’l Digital Strategy 2030

The Ministry of Digital Economy is set to expedite the process of enacting the proposed Cyber Security Bill, which is yet to be passed in the Parliament, as part of the Government's digital policy. 

Speaking to The Daily Morning, the Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne stated that the Government is working in alignment with the National People's Power’s digital policy to develop the digital sector. He also noted that certain beneficial aspects of the ‘National Digital Strategy 2030’ introduced by the previous Government, will be retained and incorporated into the current Government's digital policy. However, he emphasised that the Government is aiming to implement its digital policy more comprehensively than any previous administration. "We have noticed some valuable elements in the previous Government's digital strategy, and those will be continued. But, we have a broader programme," he said.  

He further highlighted that the recently enacted Personal Data Protection Act, No. 09 of 2022 will be fully operational and enforceable by 18 March of this year and that the ministry is focused on ensuring the effective implementation of the Act thereafter. "The proposed Cybersecurity Bill is also stuck in the process. We are taking steps to expedite it. That will also help create a comprehensive digital sector strategy," he added.