Jayantha Fernando counts nearly 30 years Tech & digital law international experience, specializing in Electronic Transactions, Data Protection, IPR, Digital Banking, Cyber security, Cybercrime and electronic evidence. A British Chevening Scholar with an LL.M in Telecom & IT Law, he led drafting of all Digital laws in Sri Lanka, including the Electronic Transactions Act (2006), Computer Crimes Act (2007), Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) No. 09 of 2022 (including Amending Act 22 of 2025), and early versions of the Cyber Security Bill. Recently he led drafting of Sri Lanka’s National “AI Regulatory Roadmap” (2025) and currently Chairs the drafting of Digital Economy Law for Ministry of Digital Economy (2026).

Fernando started his legal career in 1995, as Judicial Intern to Senior Justice of the Supreme Court. Thereafter he had extensive litigation experience in Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, including appearing in the first ever Software Infringement case (2001), prior to joining the Government’s digital agency as its first Director Legal (2003) and General Counsel. During his 25 years public sector stint, he led Sri Lanka’s entry into several international treaties, including Budapest Cybercrime Convention, UN Electronic Communications Convention, developed legal standards for IT Systems Contracts and also led the Negotiation of the E-Commerce Chapter in Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA). He represented Sri Lanka at UNCITRAL, Council of Europe (T-CY), UNODC and at ICANN Governmental Advisory Committee. In 2015 he was the first South East Asian to get elected to the Bureau of the T-CY. He also founded Sri Lanka CERT and was its former Chairman.

He is Board Director of several entities, including Colombo Stock Exchange, and Chairs the Legal Committee of Data Protection Authority of Sri Lanka. An Eisenhower Fellow and award-winning legal reformer, he is also a lecturer and recognized regional leader in digital policy and governance.