Organized by: The Revolutionary Existence for Human Development (RED)
Target Audience: Youth employed in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone
Date: June 21, 2026
Venue: Upper Floor Auditorium, Katunayake Urban Council Building
Program Overview
The Revolutionary Existence for Human Development (RED) successfully conducted a one-day workshop on June 21, 2026, addressing the timely and critical theme of “Cybercrime and Personal Data Protection.” The program was specifically designed for young employees in the Free Trade Zone, a demographic that is frequently vulnerable to online threats.
This initiative was organized as a solidarity extended by the Dabidu Collective under their ongoing project of Renewed Women’sVoice & Ladership The event was held at the upper-floor auditorium of the Katunayake Urban Council building.
Resource Persons and Participation
The session was led by distinguished experts in the field, Mr. Nisanka Weheraduwa and Mr. Chathuranga M. Pradeep. A total of 20 participants attended the workshop, the vast majority of whom were young women.
Program Objectives and Content
The primary objective of the program was to educate attendees on the various cyber risks they face, including online scams, cyber harassment, and personal data abuse. The aim was to equip them with the necessary knowledge and practical skills to protect themselves in the digital sphere.
The workshop provided a comprehensive awareness session that covered:
- Identification of common cybercrimes.
- Best practices for creating and managing strong passwords.
- Strategies for the safe and responsible use of social media.
- Protection against internet scams and fraudulent activities.
- Methods for safeguarding personal information.
A significant portion of the session was dedicated to educating participants on the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) . This segment focused on the legal landscape of data protection, highlighting the legal responsibilities of organizations in collecting, using, and storing personal data, as well as the rights of data owners and the overarching importance of data privacy.
Interactive Session and Outcomes
The program concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where resource persons addressed participants’ questions and utilized real-life examples to deepen their understanding of cyber threats. The importance of acting as responsible digital citizens was also strongly emphasized.
This initiative successfully provided the youth of the Free Trade Zone with the essential knowledge and skills needed to minimize cyber risks and secure their personal data. Furthermore, participants were encouraged to share their learnings with their colleagues, fostering a safer digital environment within their community.
