Visa successfully hosted the Visa Sri Lanka Cybersecurity Conclave 2026 on 25 June, convening leaders from the banking sector, Government, regulators and industry bodies to foster dialogue on evolving cyber-threat landscape and the collective action needed to strengthen cyber- resilience across Sri Lanka’s digital economy.
As digital payments continue to expand, cybersecurity remains critical to sustaining trust, protecting consumers and businesses, and supporting a more inclusive digital economy. The conclave served as a focused platform for industry dialogue on emerging cyber-threats, fraud prevention, regulatory readiness and public-private collaboration in safeguarding consumers, businesses and the wider financial ecosystem.
The event featured expert-led sessions by Visa leaders, covering Cyber-Threat landscape, AI-driven Cybersecurity, Visa Cyber Solutions and Advisory, Risk landscape and AI-powered Fraud Prevention introducing Featurespace. Discussions underscored the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks and fraud patterns, particularly as AI-enabled threats create new challenges for financial institutions, regulators, and businesses.
A senior-level panel discussion brought together Central Bank of Sri Lanka Deputy Governor Sirikumara Kudagama, Digital Economy Ministry Secretary Waruna Dhanapala, Cyber Command and Information Warfare Centre Director Brigadier K.V.P. Dhammika, Commercial Bank of Ceylon Chief Risk Officer Kapila Hettihamu, and Visa Country Manager – Sri Lanka and Maldives Avanthi Colombage. The panel delved on Sri Lanka’s changing cyber-risk environment and the need for stronger preparedness across the financial sector, with emphasis on proactive threat intelligence, real-time response capabilities, stronger information sharing, capacity building, robust regulatory frameworks and the adoption of advanced security solutions to help institutions stay ahead of emerging risks.
Digital Economy Ministry Secretary Waruna Dhanapala said: “As Sri Lanka advances its digital transformation, cybersecurity is a national priority and a critical enabler of trust in the digital economy. The expansion of digital payments and technology-enabled commerce presents significant opportunities, but also requires coordinated action, strong safeguards and trusted partnerships. Initiatives such as the Visa Sri Lanka Cybersecurity Conclave 2026 are valuable in bringing together Government, regulators, financial institutions and industry leaders to exchange insights, address emerging risks and strengthen collective resilience. We value the role that global payments leaders such as Visa continue to play in supporting Sri Lanka’s digital ecosystem through expertise, innovation and collaboration. This conclave was a timely effort to reinforce the shared responsibility needed to build a secure, resilient and inclusive digital economy for the country.”
Visa Country Manager – Sri Lanka and Maldives Avanthi Colombage said: “As Sri Lanka’s digital economy continues to grow, cybersecurity is fundamental to building trust in digital payments. At Visa, we are committed to working closely with regulators, financial institutions and ecosystem partners to support safer, more resilient digital commerce for consumers and businesses. Strengthening cyber-resilience is not the responsibility of one institution alone. It requires collaboration, preparedness and continued investment across the ecosystem. Through initiatives such as the Visa Sri Lanka Cybersecurity Conclave 2026, Visa continues to support Sri Lanka’s financial ecosystem with global expertise, practical insights and security-led solutions that help protect the future of digital commerce in Sri Lanka.”
The sessions also highlighted the role of intelligence-led risk management and advanced fraud prevention in addressing emerging threats while maintaining seamless payment experiences for legitimate consumers. Visa showcased its cyber-advisory capabilities and fraud prevention solutions, including Featurespace, which supports organisations in detecting and preventing financial crime through behavioural analytics and data-driven intelligence.
The conclave drew strong engagement from participating banks, regulators and industry stakeholders, reflecting the growing priority placed on cybersecurity and fraud prevention across the local financial sector. It reinforced the importance of continued collaboration, shared responsibility and innovation in building a secure and resilient digital payments environment.