A special discussion on implementing the Cabinet decision to connect critical government institutions to the National Cyber Security Operations Centre (NCSOC) was held on February 10, 2026, at the Old Parliament Building in Colombo.
Organised jointly by Sri Lanka CERT and the Ministry of Digital Economy, the session marked a significant step towards strengthening the country’s national cyber security framework.
During the discussion, it was emphasised that cyber security is no longer merely a technical matter, but one of national importance that directly affects national security, economic stability and public trust.
Special attention was given to connecting all government institutions operating critical information infrastructure to the NCSOC. Policy-level approvals for this initiative have already been granted through Cabinet decisions. The second phase of the programme, which will link the remaining government institutions to the cyber security centre, is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. Priority will be given to critical state institutions, which are also expected to undergo audits by the National Audit Office.
The importance of implementing awareness and training programmes on digital security for public sector officials was also highlighted.
Officials noted that as Sri Lanka advances towards a digital economy, cyber resilience must be treated as a core component of governance and public service delivery. The new mechanism is expected to help prevent and manage disruptions to essential services caused by cyber threats such as website defacements, ransomware attacks and data breaches.
Through the NCSOC, government institutions will gain access to real-time threat monitoring, early warning systems and coordinated incident response capabilities. The initiative was described not merely as a compliance requirement, but as a strategic investment in institutional credibility and resilience.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne; Acting Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy Waruna Sri Dhanapala; officials from the Presidential Secretariat; Sri Lanka CERT Chairman Tilak Pathirage; Sri Lanka CERT Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kanishka Karunasekera; and several other officials. Heads and senior representatives of government institutions identified as operating critical information infrastructure also participated in the discussion.
