Platforms are funded faster than protection
The online services platform gets Rs 9,486 mn. The national cyber team's projects get Rs 590 mn.
Digital Trust Alliance · Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's Budget 2027, explained for the digital world
What does next year's budget mean for online public services, cyber security and your personal data? This site compares it with 2026 in plain words. Every number links to the page of the government document it came from.
How to use this site
- Pick a topicChoose what you care about, such as cyber security or privacy.
- Read the short summaryEach page starts with the main point in plain words.
- Check the proofSelect any blue tag beside a number. It opens the government document at that page.
Five things this budget tells us
Not just the numbers: what they mean. Select a heading to read more.
The privacy law starts before its regulator is ready
Duties begin on 1 January 2027. The regulator had no staff in mid-2025.
Daily FT, 10 Aug 2026 Cadre Information of Public Sector 2025
Announced money is not the same as spent money
Only a quarter of 2026 building money was spent by August.
Rs 278 bn cannot yet be traced to projects
It sits in one line with no 2027 project list.
The systems arrived. The laws did not
Two digital laws promised for 2026 are now promised for 2027.
Four numbers to know
Total spending Parliament votes onRs 4,992.8 bn12.6% more than 2026Appropriation Bill 2027, p. 37 · Read more
Ministry of Digital EconomyRs 26,000 mn62.5% more than 2026Appropriation Bill 2027, p. 34 · Read more
Building money with no project listRs 278 bnOne line, Head 2402027 Draft Detailed Estimate Vol I, PDF p.229, Head 240 · Read more
Pick a topic
The big pictureHow much the government plans to spend in 2027, and how that compares with 2026.Digital governmentOnline public services, digital ID and the projects behind them.Cyber securityMoney for defending government systems against cyber attacks.Privacy and personal dataThe data protection law, the regulator and its budget.Governance, risk and auditWho checks the spending, and what is not yet explained.Digital lawsLaws that were promised, and whether they arrived.IT spending by agencyWhich agencies buy software and IT systems, and how much.Education and skillsDigital classrooms, universities and skills.
The whole budget on one map
The coloured ovals are topics. The white boxes are facts. Select an oval to read the topic. Select a box to open its source page.
Show the map as a list
Fiscal frame
- Voted spend Rs 4,992.8 bn, +12.6% Appropriation Bill 2027, p. 37
- Voted capital Rs 1,752.5 bn, +24.7% Appropriation Bill 2027, p. 37
- Deficit 3.8% of GDP in 2027 BEFPR 2027, p. 15
- 2026 capital 25.4% spent by August BEFPR 2027, p. 28
Digital economy
- Ministry vote Rs 26,000 mn, +62.5% Appropriation Bill 2027, p. 34
- DigiGov-SL Rs 9,486 mn MPIP 2027-2029, p. 16
- SLUDI digital ID Rs 1,500 mn MPIP 2027-2029, p. 16
Cybersecurity
- SLCERT projects Rs 590 mn, -1.7% MPIP 2027-2029, p. 17
- MoD cyber infrastructure Rs 740 mn, new Detailed Estimate Vol I, PDF p. 314
- Army Cyber Security Regiment Rs 106.4 mn Detailed Estimate Vol I, PDF p. 334
- Exam cyber security software Rs 200 mn Detailed Estimate Vol II, PDF p. 443
Privacy and data protection
- Data Protection Authority 2026: Rs 174 mn Budget Estimates 2026, p. 237
- DPA staff: 0 of 41 approved posts Cadre Information 2025
- SLUDI to give eKYC to banks, telcos MPIP 2027-2029, p. 16
Governance, risk, assurance
- Rs 278.03 bn capital in one unitemised vote Detailed Estimate Vol I, PDF p. 229
- Primary spend near 13.6% of GDP vs 13.0% cap BEFPR 2027, p. 16
- Audit Office first software line Rs 20 mn Detailed Estimate Vol I, PDF p. 115
Cyberlaw and policy
- Digital Economy Act and NCSOC in Speech 2026 Budget Speech 2026, p. 18
- VAT on non-resident digital platforms BEFPR 2027, p. 40
ICT spend by agency
- Inland Revenue RAMIS Rs 5,615 mn Detailed Estimate Vol I, PDF p. 256
- Customs ICT Rs 3,785 mn, 3.4 times Detailed Estimate Vol I, PDF p. 257
- Motor Traffic platforms Rs 2,325 mn Detailed Estimate Vol II, PDF p. 211
- National Single Window Rs 1,990 mn Detailed Estimate Vol I, PDF p. 248
Education and skills
- School ICT Hubs Rs 2,500 mn, 4.3 times Detailed Estimate Vol II, PDF p. 426
- Grades 1-13 digital transformation Rs 4,000 mn MPIP 2027-2029, p. 3
- Kelaniya digital transformation Rs 300 mn Detailed Estimate Vol II, PDF p. 433
Looking for something?
All 2027 numbers are drafts until Parliament's final vote on 14 December 2026. New to budget terms? See the glossary.