As Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) become increasingly embedded in everyday systems, concerns around data protection, privacy, and accountability are gaining urgency. A new 2024 report, ‘Beyond the Hype: Realising Responsible AI through Data Protection in South and Southeast Asia,’ examines how existing data protection laws in the region respond to the risks emerging from AI adoption.
In an article published on 31 December 2025 in the Daily FT, LIRNEasia Chair Professor Rohan Samarajiva highlights how the Ditwah disaster exposed major vulnerabilities in telecom networks. He emphasizes that numerous telecom sites across the country were affected, leaving many districts without mobile or data services for days, which restricted access and delayed restoration efforts.
LIRNEasia Data, Algorithms, and Policy (DAP) Team Lead and Research Manager Merl Chandana was featured in ‘The Morning’ newspaper on 28 December 2025, in an article by Nelie Munasinghe, where he underscored the urgency of moving from AI policy discussions to real-world implementation. “The perception that Sri Lanka has not yet widely adopted AI is inaccurate.
7 Comments
Aslam Hayat
Happy new year to all at LIRNEASIA.
Lets hope that new year would bring peace and prosperity to South Asia and World.
Ranga
It probably will turn out to be a transformational year. Whether we like it or not.
Best wishes to everyone.
Padma Dharmawardana
Year 2009 will definitely be a transformational year. Wish the new year will bring peace to Sri Lanka!
Mohammad Abdul Mobarak
Happy New Year to All at LIRNEASIA.
Year 2009 will certainly be a transformational year, transformation towards positive direction.
Jill McCaughan
Wishing you all a new year full of peace, happiness, and prosperity.
Muhammad Kamran
Best to all friends of LIRENEasia. Hope the best for all the people of South Asia.
Please pray for the peace in South ASIA especially between Pakistan & India.
Bani Lara
Happy new year LIRNEasia!
Beyond the Hype: Responsible AI and Data Protection in South and Southeast Asia
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) become increasingly embedded in everyday systems, concerns around data protection, privacy, and accountability are gaining urgency. A new 2024 report, ‘Beyond the Hype: Realising Responsible AI through Data Protection in South and Southeast Asia,’ examines how existing data protection laws in the region respond to the risks emerging from AI adoption.
Rebuilding telecom infrastructure after disaster: Resilience or building back better?
In an article published on 31 December 2025 in the Daily FT, LIRNEasia Chair Professor Rohan Samarajiva highlights how the Ditwah disaster exposed major vulnerabilities in telecom networks. He emphasizes that numerous telecom sites across the country were affected, leaving many districts without mobile or data services for days, which restricted access and delayed restoration efforts.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance is a concern Sri Lanka must address now
LIRNEasia Data, Algorithms, and Policy (DAP) Team Lead and Research Manager Merl Chandana was featured in ‘The Morning’ newspaper on 28 December 2025, in an article by Nelie Munasinghe, where he underscored the urgency of moving from AI policy discussions to real-world implementation. “The perception that Sri Lanka has not yet widely adopted AI is inaccurate.
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