The Asia Foundation, in partnership with the Sri Lanka Police, has launched a public awareness campaign to strengthen cybersecurity awareness and encourage prevention of cybercrime among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the wider public.
Delivered through The Asia Foundation’s Asia-Pacific Cybersecurity Fund (ACF) project, the campaign extends digital safety guidance to communities nationwide through television, police social media channels and public spaces. It seeks to help individuals and businesses recognize cyber threats, safeguard information, and prevent cybercrimes.
The campaign features six infomercials, with broadcasts scheduled on TV Derana during November, alongside dissemination through Sri Lanka Police social media channels. Sinhala and Tamil awareness pennants will be displayed at police stations nationwide, Bandaranaike International Airport and other public establishments. Public transport stickers and laptop stickers distributed through the Sri Lanka Police will reinforce these messages in everyday settings.
Central to the campaign are straightforward precautions that support safer digital practices. These include using strong, unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication wherever possible, verifying suspicious links, attachments and messages before responding, and never sharing one-time passwords (OTP) with anyone. Together, these messages encourage vigilance in daily digital interactions.
The initiative builds on ACF’s efforts to strengthen cyber resilience among micro and small businesses, nonprofit organizations and social enterprises. Supported by Google.org and delivered with regional partners Protect.ngo and Global Cyber Alliance, the project runs from October 2023 to December 2026 across 13 countries in Asia and the Pacific.
In Sri Lanka, implementation partners include Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Uva Wellassa University, Lanka Education And Research Network (LEARN), Regional Development Bank (RDB) and Sarvodaya. More than 11,000 individuals representing over 7,000 MSMEs have received training to identify, prevent and manage cybersecurity risks. University Cybersecurity Clinics at SLIIT and Uva Wellassa University have also reached more than 200 MSMEs with practical support to strengthen digital safety.
Complementing public outreach, ACF’s partnership with the Sri Lanka Police National Police Academy has trained 150 station and divisional level officers as trainers, 50 women officers in inclusive community engagement and first-response protocols, and 30 officers in technical[JR1] [RV2] skills, including evidence preservation and referrals. A customized cybersecurity toolkit will be integrated into the Police learning management system.
By connecting national awareness efforts with business support and institutional capacity development, the campaign aims to encourage informed action and timely prevention. Its objective is to help businesses and communities participate more confidently in the digital economy while contributing to a safer, more resilient digital environment across Sri Lanka.
Photo (Left to right)
1. Ms. Darshika Kumari, Deputy Inspector General, Bureau for the Investigation of Abuse of Children and Women
2. Mr. F. U. Wootler, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Media Spokesperson - Sri Lanka Police
3. Ms. Rukshanie Vidyaratne, Senior Program Manager and Asia Policy Lead, The Asia Foundation
4. Prof. Roshan Ragel, Senior Lecturer in Computer Engineering, University of Peradeniya, CEO, Lanka, Education And Research Network
