A three-day National Workshop on “Data Governance and Artificial Intelligence for Transforming the Public Sector” commenced today in Colombo, with the aim of accelerating digital transformation across Sri Lanka’s public sector.
The workshop is jointly organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) through its Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) and the United Nations Project Office on Governance (UNPOG), in collaboration with the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka and the United Nations in Sri Lanka.
The primary objective of the workshop is to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of senior public sector officials in the responsible and effective use of data governance, digital government, and artificial intelligence (AI). Participants will gain insights into international best practices, data management, interoperable government systems, ethical AI adoption, and the policy and institutional readiness required to support digital transformation.
Over the three-day programme, participants will engage in sessions covering the fundamentals of data governance, the development of a national data governance framework, digital public services, AI fundamentals for public officials, responsible AI adoption, and the application of Generative and Agentic AI technologies. The workshop also includes guidance on developing practical institutional action plans through lectures, panel discussions, and interactive group activities.
The event brings together senior government officials, policymakers, local and international technology experts, and global resource persons. It is expected to contribute significantly to advancing Sri Lanka’s public sector digital transformation, strengthening inter-agency collaboration, and promoting evidence-based decision-making across government institutions.
The inaugural session was attended by Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Senior Advisor to the President on Digital Economy; Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President; Dr. Rajesh Pandav, WHO Representative to Sri Lanka and United Nations Resident Coordinator; Changseob Han, Head of UNPOG; and Shevan Gunatilake, Chief Executive Officer of GovTech Sri Lanka, along with a distinguished gathering of government and international representatives.
