As Sri Lanka pushes forward with the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various sectors to drive development and innovation, a critical foundational question must first be addressed. What data will power these systems, and how will that data be governed? In a recent article published in the Daily FT on 6 May 2026, LIRNEasia Research Fellow Ashwini Natesan discusses the importance of grounding AI development in strong data governance. She highlights that before shifting focus to advanced algorithms and AI applications, Sri Lanka must first build a coherent and trustworthy data governance foundation by addressing how data is collected, shared, structured, and protected. She also discusses the legal and governance challenges emerging alongside AI development, particularly around the use of personal data and copyrighted material in training large language models (LLMs). 
As Sri Lanka pushes forward with the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various sectors to drive development and innovation, a critical foundational question must first be addressed. What data will power these systems, and how will that data be governed? In a recent article published in the Daily FT on 6 May 2026, LIRNEasia Research Fellow Ashwini Natesan discusses the importance of grounding AI development in strong data governance. She highlights that before shifting focus to advanced algorithms and AI applications, Sri Lanka must first build a coherent and trustworthy data governance foundation by addressing how data is collected, shared, structured, and protected. She also discusses the legal and governance challenges emerging alongside AI development, particularly around the use of personal data and copyrighted material in training large language models (LLMs). 
Even though the Constitution of the Philippines protects citizens’ right to access official records and research data used in policymaking, the absence of a comprehensive right-to-information law has left implementation subject to executive discretion. In a recent article published in InsiderPH on April 6, 2026, J.J. Disini, Country Researcher for the Philippines for LIRNEasia’s D4D Asia Project, highlights gaps in the country’s data governance framework despite constitutional guarantees of access to government information. 
Nepal’s evolving digital landscape highlights a growing tension between constitutional guarantees of privacy and access to information, and a fragmented, outdated data governance framework. In a recent article published in Republica on March 17, 2026, Avash Mainali, Country Researcher for Nepal for LIRNEasia’s D4D Asia project, argues that while the introduction of the Personal Data Protection Policy, 2082 (2025), marks a positive step, its impact will depend on whether it can move beyond aspirational language to enforceable rights. 
Pakistan’s Indus AI Week reflects a growing shift in how the country is approaching artificial intelligence, not simply as a technological trend, but as a strategic tool for economic growth, public sector reform, and national competitiveness. In an article published on March 5, 2026, in the ProPakistani news platform, Muhammad Aslam Hayat, Senior Policy Fellow at LIRNEasia, notes that discussions during the event highlighted ambitions to use AI to improve productivity, create new economic opportunities, and enhance government efficiency. However, he argues that effective and trustworthy AI depends not only on algorithms or computing power, but also on strong systems of data governance. 
In an op-ed article published on 20 February 2026 in the Bangkok Post, Jompon Pitaksantayothin, Country Researcher for Thailand for LIRNEasia’s D4D Asia project, discusses the growing tensions within Thailand’s data governance framework following the introduction of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). While the PDPA was intended to strengthen privacy protections, its interaction with existing transparency laws has created confusion within government agencies about what information can be disclosed. 
The rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence is reshaping debates around copyright, accessibility, and innovation. In a recent article published in The Hindu, Pranesh Prakash, Co-Principal Investigator for LIRNEasia’s D4D Asia Project, discusses how copyright law must adapt to the realities of AI-driven technologies in a way that balances creators’ rights with the public interest. 
“Untangling Data Governance – Sri Lanka’s Way Forward” was held on 13 November 2024 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The event formed part of the Harnessing Data for Democratic Development in South and Southeast Asia (D4D Asia) project, with funding support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), a Crown corporation of the Government of Canada.