AI to draft Lanka’s laws

Sri Lanka is set to pilot the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in drafting legislation, with the proposed law governing Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) identified as the first area for testing the technology.

A special workshop on integrating AI into the legislative drafting process was held at the Legal Draftsman’s Department on Aug. 21 under the theme “Better Tools for Better Lawmaking.”

The workshop was jointly organised by the Ministry of Digital Economy and GovTech Sri Lanka and chaired by Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne.

A proposed roadmap for incorporating AI into the country’s legislative drafting process was presented, with officials identifying the proposed Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill as the initial pilot project.

The workshop also demonstrated the use of AI-assisted tools in drafting and validating legislation and producing documents in Sinhala, Tamil and English.

Discussions focused on data readiness, safeguards and other requirements for taking the pilot project forward.

Senior Presidential Adviser on Digital Economy and GovTech Sri Lanka Chairman Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Digital Economy Ministry Secretary Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Legal Draftsman Dilrukshi Samaraweera and other senior officials attended the workshop.