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Frameworks · Sri Lanka

AI laws, regulation and governance frameworks in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has no AI-specific law. It governs AI through the Personal Data Protection Act No. 9 of 2022, amended in 2025, whose processing and controller duties apply from 1 January 2027 and whose section 18 gives a right to review automated decisions. Organisations pair it with international standards such as ISO/IEC 42001 and the NIST AI RMF.

Who regulates AI here

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka governs AI through its Personal Data Protection Act, whose processing and controller duties apply from 1 January 2027, with a right to review automated decisions to follow.

LawSri Lanka PDPASri Lanka Personal Data Protection Act No. 9 of 2022, as amended in 2025Sri Lanka's PDPA as amended by Act No. 22 of 2025. Processing and controller duties apply from 1 January 2027, with DPIAs for profiling and transfer rules.Partly in force. Parts I and III, and sections 2 and 3, apply from 1 January 2027. Part II rights and Part VII penalties await a commencement order.LawPDPA section 18Sri Lanka PDPA section 18 and automated decision-makingSection 18 of Sri Lanka's PDPA gives a right to request review of solely automated decisions. Scope, exceptions, notice duty and what it means for AI.Enacted 2022 and amended 2025. Section 18 sits in Part II, which awaits a commencement order. The Schedule V notice duty applies from 1 January 2027.

All Sri Lanka frameworks

International

Standards and frameworks that apply across borders. Most organisations use one of these as the backbone of their AI governance, whatever their jurisdiction.

StandardISO/IEC 42001ISO/IEC 42001:2023 AI management systemsISO/IEC 42001 is the certifiable international standard for an AI management system. What it requires, how Annex A works and how to get ready to certify.Published December 2023, current editionIn Aicura from ProStandardISO/IEC 42005ISO/IEC 42005:2025 AI system impact assessmentISO/IEC 42005 is international guidance on assessing how an AI system affects people and society, when to assess, what to record and how it links to 42001.Published May 2025, current editionVoluntary frameworkNIST AI RMFNIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0)The NIST AI RMF is a voluntary framework for managing AI risk through four functions, Govern, Map, Measure and Manage. What it asks and who uses it worldwide.Version 1.0 current, revision under wayIn Aicura from ProVoluntary frameworkNIST Generative AI ProfileNIST AI RMF Generative AI Profile (NIST AI 600-1)NIST AI 600-1 applies the AI Risk Management Framework to generative AI. Its 12 risks, the suggested actions behind them and who uses the profile and why.Final, published July 2024StandardISO/IEC 23894ISO/IEC 23894:2023 Guidance on AI risk managementISO/IEC 23894 adapts the ISO 31000 risk process to AI. What the guidance covers, its AI risk sources and lifecycle mapping, and how it fits with ISO 42001.Published February 2023, current editionStandardISO/IEC 38507ISO/IEC 38507:2022 Governance implications of the use of AI by organizationsISO/IEC 38507 is guidance for boards on governing an organisation's use of AI. What it asks of directors, how it links to ISO/IEC 38500 and who uses it.Published April 2022, current editionVoluntary frameworkOECD AI PrinciplesOECD Recommendation of the Council on Artificial Intelligence (OECD AI Principles)The OECD AI Principles are the intergovernmental standard for trustworthy AI, adopted 2019 and revised 2024. The five principles and how to apply them.Adopted May 2019, revised May 2024Voluntary frameworkHUDERIAHUDERIA: Risk and impact assessment of AI systems for human rights, democracy and the rule of lawHUDERIA is the Council of Europe's method for assessing AI risks to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Its four elements, scoring and who uses it.Methodology and Model adopted, non-bindingLawCouncil of Europe AI ConventionCouncil of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law (CETS No. 225)The Council of Europe AI Convention is the first binding international treaty on AI. Who has signed and ratified, what it asks of parties and when it applies.Open for signature, not yet in forceVoluntary frameworkG7 Hiroshima Code of ConductHiroshima Process International Code of Conduct for Organizations Developing Advanced AI SystemsThe G7 Hiroshima Code of Conduct sets 11 voluntary actions for advanced AI developers, with OECD HAIP reporting. What it asks and who reports under HAIP 2.0.Voluntary, reporting framework v2.0 liveVoluntary frameworkUNESCO AI Ethics RecommendationUNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial IntelligenceUNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI is the global standard its member states adopted in 2021. Its values, principles and Ethical Impact Assessment.Adopted November 2021

All International frameworks

Aicura in Sri Lanka

Frameworks elsewhere

Guides

Questions

Does Sri Lanka have an AI law?

No. AI that uses personal data falls under the Personal Data Protection Act No. 9 of 2022, as amended by Act No. 22 of 2025. The Cabinet approved implementation of a national AI strategy in August 2024, and the Ministry of Digital Economy sought public comments on a national AI policy in early 2025.

When does the Personal Data Protection Act come into force?

In phases. The Data Protection Authority was set up under Part V in 2023. Gazette No. 2498/16 of 22 July 2026 brings sections 2 and 3, Part I and Part III into force on 1 January 2027. Part II on data subject rights and Part VII on penalties need a further order.

Does the PDPA regulate automated decisions?

Yes. Section 18 gives people a right to ask a controller to review a decision based solely on automated processing that has an irreversible and continuous impact on their rights. From 1 January 2027 controllers must also tell people about automated decision-making and its logic when they collect personal data.

Do I need an impact assessment for AI under the PDPA?

Where the AI system involves a systematic and extensive evaluation of personal data, including profiling, section 24 requires a personal data protection impact assessment before the processing starts, and a fresh one when the methodology, technology or process changes.

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