Sri Lanka’s Data Protection Authority Officials Visit the United States for Consultations on Personal Data Protection


Colombo, Sri Lanka, 27th June 2024 — A high-level delegation from Sri Lanka's newly established Data Protection Authority (DPA) visited the United States from 24th to 27th June 2024, for a series of vital consultations and knowledge exchange sessions on personal data protection.


The visit was organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) and led by Mr. Joseph L. Gattuso, Senior Attorney at CLDP. The U.S. CLDP, established in 1992, is dedicated to supporting U.S. foreign policy goals by assisting developing and post-conflict countries through commercial legal reforms.

The Sri Lankan delegation included the following key officials:

  • Mr. Arjuna Herath - Chairman, Data Protection Authority
  • Mrs. Dilrukshi Samaraweera - Legal Draftsman, Legal Draftsman’s Department
  • Mr. Jayantha Fernando - Board Member, Data Protection Authority
  • Ms. Saumya Amarasekera - Board Member, Data Protection Authority
  • Mr. Nisith Abeysooriya - Board Member, Data Protection Authority
  • Mr. Shehan Wijetilaka - Board Member, Data Protection Authority
  • Mr. Bimsara Seneviratne - Board Member, Data Protection Authority
  • Mr. Waruna Sri Dhanapala - Acting Director General, Data Protection Authority & Additional Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils & Local Government

The delegation engaged in comprehensive discussions with U.S. government officials, industry experts and representatives from various sectors to gain insights into best practices in data protection.

The 4-day program in Washington, D.C., was carefully crafted by the CLDP in collaboration with various U.S. federal and state government agencies, including USAID. The program featured interactive sessions with key organizations involved in personal data protection, including:

  • Office of Science and Technology Policy, White House
  • Bureau of Cyber and Digital Policy, U.S. Department of State
  • Commercial Law Development Programme (CLDP), U.S. Department of Commerce
  • U.S. Department of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs
  • Office of International Affairs, Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
  • United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
  • International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
  • Consumer Reports
  • Centre for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL)
  • International Government Affairs, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google, Washington, D.C.
  • Microsoft Innovation Center, Washington, D.C.

The visit culminated in productive exchanges of constructive ideas and strategies, providing the Sri Lankan delegation with practical and functional knowledge to implement and strengthen the country's personal data protection framework. The insights gained from these consultations are expected to play a crucial role in establishing and enforcing robust data protection policies in Sri Lanka.

The delegation's visit to the United States underscores Sri Lanka's commitment to ensuring the privacy and security of its citizens in the digital age. As the country prepares to launch its Data Protection Authority, the knowledge and networks established during this visit will be instrumental in shaping a secure and transparent digital future for Sri Lanka.