Archives and records management is a critical foundation of any society, but especially in information societies that are emerging now. Unfortunately, this subject tends to be neglected. Sri Lanka’s first National Policy on Archives and Records Management received Cabinet concurrence on 7 April 2025, following a multi-year drafting process led by a committee appointed by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. The committee was chaired by Nigel Nugawela (Archivist) and included several experts, such as LIRNEasia Chair Prof. Rohan Samarajiva. 
Archives and records management is a critical foundation of any society, but especially in information societies that are emerging now. Unfortunately, this subject tends to be neglected. Sri Lanka’s first National Policy on Archives and Records Management received Cabinet concurrence on 7 April 2025, following a multi-year drafting process led by a committee appointed by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. The committee was chaired by Nigel Nugawela (Archivist) and included several experts, such as LIRNEasia Chair Prof. Rohan Samarajiva. 
LIRNEasia is looking for a talented individual to join the team as a Senior Researcher to drive impactful research. The full job description is available below. The deadline for applications is February 20, 2026. 
LIRNEasia CEO Helani Galpaya attended UNDP’s New Ways of Governing Conference in Oslo on 28–29 October 2025, contributing to discussions on AI and data governance. Her session drew on LIRNEasia’s research on data-governance policies across Asia and the organisation’s ongoing work on responsible AI. 
LIRNEasia is seeking experienced qualitative researchers to collaborate on a new study examining information exposure, belief, and sharing behaviors among Sri Lankan diaspora communities in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Italy. This research builds on LIRNEasia’s ongoing work on information disorder, including nationally representative surveys and experimental studies in Sri Lanka. The diaspora study extends this evidence base to explore how transnational ties, trust, and identity influence how Sri Lankans abroad encounter and respond to misinformation. We are looking for researchers or moderators who can: Lead participant recruitment across diverse Sri Lankan diaspora communities (Sinhala, Sri Lankan Tamil, Indian-Origin Tamil, and Moor). Conduct Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) in participants’ preferred language (Sinhala, Tamil, or English). 
LIRNEasia is inviting proposals from qualified firms and organizations to develop an interactive voter education game and educational tool aimed at enhancing civic participation among youth, first-time voters, and seasoned voters. These are expected to provide an engaging, interactive platform to learn about electoral processes and build resilience against election-related misinformation. Further details are available in the full RFP. The full RFP can be accessed here. Proposals must be submitted to LIRNEasia by 12:00 PM IST on 3rd November 2025. 
LIRNEasia’s Senior Research Manager, Gayani Hurulle, was invited to conduct a session on Leveraging Digitalization for Inclusive Growth at a regional workshop on Best Practices for Accelerated Pro-Poor and Inclusive Growth Initiatives, held from 24 to 26 June 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. The event was jointly organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the BIMSTEC Secretariat, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The workshop brought together government officials and experts from BIMSTEC Member States: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, along with representatives from ASEAN countries, think tanks, and development organizations. The goal was to share knowledge and experiences on strategies that have successfully addressed poverty and supported inclusive economic growth. In her session, Gayani shared insights from LIRNEasia’s nationally representative surveys conducted in 2017/2018 (After Access) and 2021, to highlight gaps in access and usage, and insights from two case studies on social protection and labour. 
In 2024, we proudly celebrated 20 years of impactful work— advancing research, catalyzing policy change, and improving lives across Asia and the Pacific through innovative solutions and technology. Our journey continues as we embrace new challenges and opportunities to create even greater impact. Wishing you all the best for 2025! 
LIRNEasia is pleased to announce the opening of applications for our online training programme on Data Governance in South and Southeast Asia. Theme: Influencing data governance policy in South and Southeast Asia Dates: 10th and 11th December 2024. 7.30 – 10.30 hours UTC/GMT time. 
LIRNEasia is inviting Proposals from qualified firms and organizations to create two counter measures – the creation of a video and creation of an online game. Details are provided in the full RFP. Proposals must be received by LIRNEasia by 1600 IST on 26th July 2024. Link to the RFP. 
The European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) represents a landmark regulation aimed at creating a safer and more transparent online environment. Central to the DSA are mandates for large online platforms and search engines, referred to as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs), to conduct Systematic Risk Assessments (SRAs) and engage in meaningful consultations with civil society. At present, VLOPs and VLOSEs in the European Union are conducting their second round of mandatory risk assessments under the DSA. These assessments seek to identify and mitigate systemic risks related to human rights on large platforms. In the meantime, in late June, the Global Network Initiative (GNI) and the Digital Trust & Safety Partnership (DTSP) hosted the European Rights & Risks: Stakeholder Engagement Forum (“the Forum”) in Brussels with the intention of sharing insights on assessing systemic risks to fundamental rights as part of implementing the DSA. 
LIRNEasia is inviting proposals for gender-responsive, policy-relevant applied research projects that contribute to a sustainable and inclusive future of work. This call is supported with funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) The complete Call for Proposals can be found here. The deadline for proposal submissions is 1800hrs Indian Standard Time, 19th July 2024. An information session will be organised on the 24th of June week to assist potential applicants in understanding the CFP and the project as a whole. Register here to receive details about the upcoming information session. 
It has come to our attention that a scam is circulating, falsely using the name and logos of LIRNEasia. A group claiming to work with us is creating bogus WhatsApp groups and possibly engaging in fraudulent activities. We would like to inform the public that LIRNEasia does not collaborate with any such digital marketing agencies. Please be vigilant and do not engage with such schemes. Please be informed that LIRNEasia does not maintain public WhatsApp groups and updates and announcements from LIRNEasia will only be shared through our official emails, social media accounts and website. 
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Abu Saeed Khan, a renowned telecommunications expert, and Senior Policy Fellow at LIRNEasia. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Over the course of his career, Abu held several significant roles, including Secretary General of the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) and Strategy Analyst at Ericsson’s Southeast Asian head office in Malaysia. He also served as the Technology Editor for bdnews24.com and conducted research analysis at EMC World Cellular Database. 
Get ready to be immersed in the forefront of digital discourse as the 18th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2023 unfolds in Kyoto, Japan from 8 to 12 October, under the theme The Internet We Want – Empowering All People. LIRNEasia will host two sessions featuring experts from the Global South, along with LIRNEasia CEO, Helani Galpaya, Senior Research Manager, Gayani Hurulle, and Senior Researcher, Isuru Samaratunga. Helani will participate at two additional sessions. Here’s a sneak peek at the sessions; scroll down to find out how to register to attend in person or online. 1: Public-Private Data Partnerships in the Global South (Session #308) Zoom registration link (IGF 2023 Room 3) Session page This round table discussion will explore how the private sector is contributing to the data revolution toward achieving the SDGs, and the key policy and practice challenges faced by stakeholders in attempting to build data partnerships in this regard.
LIRNEasia is currently looking to fill the role of a Junior Researcher. The full job description is available here. The deadline for applying is 31st August 2023.
LIRNEasia is looking for a consultant to conduct an assessment on public-private collaborations in the data domain and to identify enablers and barriers to such partnerships, with special attention to achieving SDGs in Bangladesh. This will involve mapping public-private collaborations in the data domain in Bangladesh through desk research; and conducting key informant interviews to identify enablers and barriers for data partnerships.