Cybersecurity in focus as police launch specialised crimes unit
- CNL Reporter
- April 24, 2025
- Political
- Cybersecurity
- 0 Comments
Sri Lanka’s Police Department has established a dedicated Cybercrimes Unit, in response to a sharp rise in online offences, driven by the country’s accelerated shift towards digital transactions.
Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe (Jnr.), President’s Counsel, announced the initiative while addressing the third Annual General Meeting of the ICT Lawyers Guild (ICTLG) in Colombo.
The unit will focus on tackling a range of cyberthreats, including data breaches and financial fraud, which have escalated alongside the nation’s expanding digital economy.
Ranasinghe emphasised the urgency of addressing these challenges, as more and more transactions are now taking place online, the number of crimes committed online are on the rise.
“This is a new requirement that in a short time will become very prominent in the cases heard in the country,” he added while cautioning that the cybercrime cases are likely to dominate the legal proceedings in the near future.
ICTLG Chairman Dr. Sunil Abeyratne reiterated the guild’s commitment to working alongside the law enforcement and government institutions and said the intention is to interact with the Police Department and Digital Economy Ministry to give input for the development of the digital economy in Sri Lanka.
He also underscored the importance of building legal expertise in emerging technologies.
“Members being equipped with the knowledge required to face the challenge is vital. Hence, the guild also aims to nurture proficiency in future scientific and technology, so the lawyers can meet the country’s needs.”
As part of its broader strategy, the ICTLG plans to host workshops featuring international experts and foster public dialogue on the national cybersecurity policy. (NF)
