Govt. likely to introduce data protection law

• New legislation to be brought in parallel to implementation of centralised personal information database
• Claims new database of personal info will improve productivity of State institutions
• Says system will enable monitoring activities of people to improve national security
• Say Govt. will collaborate with ICTA to set up system

By Nuwan Senarathna

The Government yesterday said they will likely bring in new legislation for data protection, in parallel with implementing measures to collect personal information under one collection centre.

Communication Technology  State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene  - Pic by Lasantha Kumar

Speaking to the media at the Media Ministry, Communication Technology State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said the Government’s attention was drawn to bringing in new legislation for data protection as a move to protect the public’s information.

“The Government is eyeing the digitisation of all State institutions and as parallel move bring new legislation to protect data. The initial discussion has commenced and it will be finalised in the coming months,” Abeywardena said.

He noted the Government’s new initiative to set up one point to collect personal information was a move towards becoming paperless at all State intuitions and improve productivity. This was a move by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to bring State intuitions to an international standard, he added.

“Under the new system, everyone from the grama sewaka to the highest State institution will be connected. This will enable us to track down all activities of a person from one point, even if they go abroad, which will help track down people like former Central Bank Governor Arjun Mahendran,” he stressed. 

Meanwhile, International Relations State Minister Susil Premajayantha said the Government would work with a third party to set up a mechanism to protect data. The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) will play a role in implementing a mechanism for data protection.

“The Government is studying other countries who have implemented such a system. A data protection law will be drafted and assure everyone’s data is protected. The Government is seeking the technical expertise of the ICTA,” he said.

Premajayantha assured that the Government would not take any decision that would put the public’s information in risk. He hinted the new data protection law will be tabled in Parliament before setting up the new information centre.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday discussed setting up a centralised data collection centre to gather all personal information, including National Identity Cards, driving licenses, immigration and emigration documents and registration of births and deaths.