A three-day National Workshop on Data Governance and Artificial Intelligence for Public Sector Transformation, aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of the public sector, commenced in Colombo Monday (20). The workshop is jointly organised by the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), its United Nations Project Office on Governance (UNPOG), the Presidential Secretariat 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 data governance, digital government and the responsible and effective use of artificial intelligence. It focuses on international best practices, data management, interoperable government systems, the ethical use of artificial intelligence, and the policy and institutional readiness required to drive digital transformation.
Over the three-day programme, participants will be introduced to the principles of data governance, the development of a national data governance framework, digital public services, the fundamentals of artificial intelligence for public officials, the responsible use of AI, and the application of generative and agentic artificial intelligence technologies. The programme will also cover the development of institutional action plans to support AI adoption. These topics will be delivered through lectures, panel discussions and group activities.
The workshop has brought together senior officials representing government institutions, policymakers, local and international technology experts, and international resource persons. It is expected to make a significant contribution towards accelerating the digital transformation of Sri Lanka's public sector, strengthening inter-agency collaboration and promoting evidence-based decision-making.
Among those attending the inaugural session were Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, Senior Adviser to the President on the Digital Economy; Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President; Dr Rajesh Pandav, World Health Organization Representative serving as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka; Changseob Han, Head of UNPOG; and Shevan Gunatilake, Chief Executive Officer of GovTech Sri Lanka, together with a number of other distinguished guests.
