Digital Economy is now its own ministry

Official formation

The Government of Sri Lanka has officially formed the Ministry of Digital Economy as per the gazette. The new ministry will oversee Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT), the Data Protection Authority of Sri Lanka, IT parks, and the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL).

Interestingly, the Department of Registration of Persons also falls under the purview of the new ministry. This inclusion is likely to accelerate the rollout of the National Digital ID. Last month, the president stated that the government expects to implement the project over the next 18-month period.

Additionally, the new ministry is set to implement the following laws, acts and ordinances:

• Information and Communication Technology Act No. 27 of 2003
• Electronic Transactions Act No. 19 of 2022
• Personal Data Protection Act No. 9 of 2022
• Registration of Persons Act No. 32 of 1968
• Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act No. 25 of 1991 and its amendments

Under the president’s purview

Following the appointment of the new Cabinet of Ministers, a gazette was issued putting the Ministry of Digital Economy under the president’s purview. Additionally, the ministerial portfolio for Finance, Planning, and Economic Development also comes under the president’s purview.

The announcement comes weeks after President Anura Kumara Dissanayake officially appointed Axiata’s Hans Wijesuriya Chief Advisor on Digital Economy. This was followed by a new Board of Directors at the Information and Communication Technology Agency.