July 16, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB) has begun a major digital transformation programme aimed at modernising its accreditation processes, internal administration and financial systems, while strengthening the international acceptance of Sri Lankan products and services.
The initiative was unveiled in Colombo yesterday (15) at an event attended by Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, along with senior local and international officials involved in accreditation and quality assurance.
Representatives from the Asia-Pacific region, including Global Accreditation Cooperation Forum Chairman Brahim Howla and officials from the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation, participated in the launch, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation in maintaining internationally recognised standards.
The event was also attended by Ministry Secretary K. A. Wimalenthirarajah, SLAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Prasanna Ranasinghe, Acting Director and Chief Executive Officer Chandita Ediriweera, as well as other government and foreign representatives.
As part of the digital upgrade, SLAB introduced its redesigned official website, developed with enhanced cybersecurity features and improved online access facilities. The platform is expected to allow businesses, institutions and the public to obtain accreditation-related services more conveniently through a secure digital environment.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has received an invitation to become one of the five sponsoring nations behind a proposed resolution at the United Nations General Assembly seeking to designate 9 June each year as “United Nations International Accreditation Day”. Australia, Panama, Tunisia and Italy are among the other countries supporting the initiative.
SLAB said the digital transformation forms part of a broader effort to improve quality assurance systems, promote food safety, protect public health and help Sri Lankan businesses meet international benchmarks, thereby expanding their competitiveness in global markets.