AEGIS LEXICON 2025 - Defence Cyber Exposition Held
at Ministry of Defence
August 05, 2025
The Defence Cyber Command (DCC), operating under the Ministry of Defence, successfully conducted the AEGIS LEXICON 2025 - Defence Cyber Exposition recently (29 July 2025) at the Ministry premises. This annual event was specially organized to mark the Second Anniversary of the formation of the Defence Cyber Command, which was established on 03 August 2023. It highlighted Sri Lanka’s growing focus on digital defence and cyber security capabilities.
Delivering the keynote address, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), highlighted the growing necessity for the Defence Cyber Command (DCC) to evolve into a fully fledged Cyber Force. He stressed that DCC must be capable of operating at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels to ensure comprehensive national security in cyberspace, aligning with the Ministry’s broader defence objectives.
This year’s exposition was held under the theme “National Security in the Age of AI and Cyber Physical Convergence,” focusing on the urgent need for building resilient cyber defence mechanisms in the face of rapidly evolving technological threats. The event was organised under the direction of Brigadier Dhammika Vidanalage, Director of the Defence Cyber Command.
The emphasis of the forum was on importance of cyber readiness, inter agency collaboration, and long term capacity development to ensure national resilience in cyberspace. It was also highlighted the role of the DCC in spearheading the nation’s efforts to meet future cyber challenges.
The event featured several insightful and technical presentations covering cyber security, artificial intelligence, legal frameworks, and the protection of national infrastructure.
Presentations included “Cyber Threat Landscape in the Age of AI and Quantum Computing” by Brigadier Dhammika Vidanalage, “Trust Frameworks Underlying Sri Lanka’s Digital Economy Advancement” by Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya and “The Algorithmic Battlefield: AI and the Future of National Defence” by Prof. Kasun De Zoysa of the University of Colombo.
Other key presentations were “Legal Challenges in Strengthening Sri Lanka’s Cyber Security Framework” by Dr. Thusitha B. Abeysekara from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, “Cyber Security Governance and Protection of Critical Infrastructure” by Mr. Lasantha Priyankara of Sysco Labs, and “Securing Against Cyber Physical Attacks in the Evolving Threat Landscape” by Dr. Roshan Rajapakse and Mr. Kenneth Thilakarathna of the University of Colombo.
A key highlight of the exposition was the panel discussion titled “Overcoming Cyber Physical Challenges for National Security in Sri Lanka,” which brought together leading experts from the government and the digital sector. The panellists included Mr. Waruna Sri Dhanapala (Acting Secretary, Ministry of Digital Economy), Dr. Aparrajitha Ariyadasa, Mr. Lakmal Embuldeniya, Major Sandun Gunawardana, Lieutenant Commander Meshech Hewawasam.
The DCC technical team, led by Colonel Darshana Muthugala, conducted a live demonstration showcasing existing cyber threats. This demonstration gave participants an understanding of Sri Lanka’s existing cyber threats.
As the nation commemorates the Second Anniversary of the Defence Cyber Command, AEGIS LEXICON 2025 reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s strategic commitment to strengthening its cyber capabilities. The event served as a call for continued innovation, legal reform, and strategic preparedness to defend the country's digital sovereignty.
The Defence Cyber Command remains committed to leading Sri Lanka’s efforts in digital defence and is poised to transform into a national level Cyber Force, operating across all domains to safeguard national interests in the age of digital convergence.
