When the relation between information technology and the law is examined a little more closely, it is soon recognized that there is a gap in between that needs to be solved. Hence, the chairman of ICTA, believes that this gap needs to be resolved soon in order to have a knowledge-based society, sustained by a technologically advanced global economy.

“Our biggest constraint is the law. Actually, in the case of laws, we are much more ahead of some of the countries in the world.  But though we have law here, when it comes to practice I think we have a major problem. Let me be very frank, they say lawyers are one of the people who are actually lacking way behind cyber law. I’m not 100% sure about it but we are trying to have a lot of work on this.” Jayantha De Silva, Chairman of ICTA said whilst addressing a seminar titled "laws relating to data protection and digital banking" organized by the Junior Bar Committee of the BASL with “Lanka Clear” in Colombo recently.

“I don’t think even lawyers (looking at the crowd) could ignore Artificial intelligence (AI). Because you will be forced to grab it with both hands,” he said.

“Frankly, I don’t like the word Artificial intelligence at all. I would say it is Intelligent Advance rather than Artificial intelligence. Up to now, there has been a  lot of good models adopted for lawyers in the sector of AI. We as IT guys like to talk about the good of AI but there are many challenges because of this, so, you as lawyers will have to help or get involved,” he added.

Speaking further Jayantha stressed that, lawyers in their degree program or in any other curriculum should have a subject on cyber law or cybersecurity.

“So ICTA could come here and help. You know if you want to interpret the law as far as IT technology side is concerned, we could be there to help because I have been told that, in law, a normal graduate who has IT as a subject can be called as a ‘weakness’, but now we have more expertise within us here. So if this can be formally designed, we could have a special unit inside ICTA which could help lawyers and the universities. This is something that we have to do.” He stressed.

“I emphasize that law and technology or IT will have to have a better marriage life to come closer and closer in the coming years.”

“There will be many cases involving technology and we want lawyers to help. We are trying to bring some very large companies to Colombo. We are talking to them. So they talk about law, they talk about IP rights. So we will need you.” He added.