“We will be opening a new Ministry for Digital Affairs in order to improve the digital infrastructure and prevent cybercrimes,” Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Vijitha Herath told the media.

Herath said that in order to improve digital infrastructure and develop a safe digital environment, the Government would be inviting digital experts to contribute to the development of Sri Lanka’s digital environment.

The country has seen a rise in cybercrimes with several scam operations being discovered by the local law enforcement authorities. It was reported that these cybercrimes typically involve tricking locals into making transactions from local accounts to offshore accounts.