A special meeting was convened at the Presidential Secretariat to expedite the implementation of the Cabinet decision to connect Critical Government Institutions to the National Cyber Security Operations Centre (NCSOC). The session emphasized that cyber security is no longer merely a technical concern, but a matter of national importance impacting public trust, economic stability, and national security.
The establishment of the NCSOC by Sri Lanka CERT, under the guidance of the Ministry of Digital Economy, was highlighted as a major milestone in strengthening Sri Lanka’s national cyber security framework—enabling real-time threat monitoring, coordinated incident response, and proactive cyber defence mechanisms across critical government infrastructure.
The meeting was led by the Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eng. Eranga Weeraratna, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy, Mr. Waruna Sri Dhanapala.
NCSOC Capability Demonstration
Senior officials of Sri Lanka CERT conducted a detailed demonstration of NCSOC capabilities, including the functions of the newly established Malware Analysis and Threat Hunting (MATH) Lab. The discussion also underscored the need for strengthening cyber security awareness and structured digital security training programmes for public sector officials.
Key Focus Areas
- Real-time monitoring and early warning for cyber threats affecting government systems
- Coordinated national-level incident response and rapid escalation mechanisms
- Strengthening institutional cyber resilience as part of digital governance and service delivery
- Addressing evolving threats such as ransomware, data breaches, and website defacements
The initiative was described not merely as a compliance requirement, but as a strategic investment in institutional credibility, operational continuity, and national resilience.
Experience Sharing and Presentations
Officials from connected institutions shared their implementation experiences, including the Director General of Pensions, Mr. Chaminda Hettiarachchi, the Director IT of the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. G.V.D. Priyantha, and Mr. Aravinda Rathnayake, Senior Engineer of ICTA.
Presentations were delivered by the Chairman of Sri Lanka CERT, Mr. Thilak Pathirage, Acting CEO of Sri Lanka CERT, Dr. Kanishka Karunasena, Mr. Mahinda Kandapahala, Chief Information Security Officer (NCSOC), Mr. Senalike Dewalawaththa (MATH Lab), and NCSOC representatives. Heads and senior representatives of critical government organisations also participated in the discussion.