After the recent news item on cyber-attacks on the Presidential Secretariat and several other government websites, it has come to light that the so-called Information Technology Society of Sri Lanka (ITSSL) is a non-entity. It seems to be a one man operation which is seeking public attention through frequent press releases under a fictitious association. Rajiv Yasiru Kuruwitage, the person claimed to be the Chairman of a fictitious association has been arrested.
“It is also learnt that the arrested person has no ICT related qualification and he has not done any ICT related employment in any reputable institution,” a release from The Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) President Damith Hettihewa (pictured) said.
“ITSSL has been issuing frequent press releases on IT industry matters claiming to be an industry association. We observe that ITSSL does not give a proper physical address, office contact details or published membership, and a list of officials.”
ITSSL earlier said in a press release that many government websites including that of the Presidential Secretariat, Foreign Ministry and several others were subjected to cyber-attacks. Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) earlier denied such attacks and stated that the media statements were misleading.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau earlier summoned the Chairman of ITSSL and subsequently arrested him. Subsequently Kuruwitage published an apology on the ITSSC Facebook page. The same person has previously been questioned about the misleading media release under the same ITSSL regarding ATM machine faults of a leading private bank in Sri Lanka.
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