ICT sector, a catalyst in development: ICTA CEO
The ICT sector is a catalytic moving force in Sri Lanka’s development, says ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) CEO, Reshan Dewapura.
Dewapura said so while participating at a press conference held in Colombo recently (27) to mark the 14th National Best Quality Software Awards (NBQSA) 2012 launch.
Speaking further on the occasion ICTA CEO summarised the salient achievements in the country’s ICT sector during the last six years as follows: “The ICT sector in this country has developed and matured tremendously during the last five to six years. It has been a catalytic driver in development, has contributed to improving the quality of life of all Sri Lankans and has increasingly provided a recognisable boost to the economy. In other words the ICT sector has strived to lead from the front in Sri Lanka’s development efforts. Pioneering development initiatives such as e-Sri Lanka, has provided the crucial backbone and the impetus to that endeavour.
“ICT has created the enabling environment for the Government, the private sector and the civil society to grow and develop in their respective sectors as well as in combination. This growth and development promotes the growth and development of the country in general.
Info infrastructure eco system for better service delivery
“In Government the information infrastructure eco system is now in place for all govt. entities to move forward without obstacles, to re-engineer and simplify processes and develop automated systems. The result of all this is a better service delivery to citizens.
Private sector equipped with mature ICT platforms
“For the private sector, mature ICT platforms are now available to use as great transformational tools, for the progression of their industries and sectors, and for the ICT sector itself, the environment is conducive to maximize the opportunities in our country, as a global ICT destination.
Stage set to continue to use ICT for betterment of masses
”For civil society opportunities have been created and the stage is set to continue to use ICT for the betterment of the masses, the rural communities, and the disadvantages and the under-privileged groups.
ICT-led transformation the differentiator between success and failure
“All these are vitally important, in our journey towards being a ‘Knowledge Hub in the Region’, where ICT led transformation, as out-lined before, will be the differentiator between success and failure.
Need for harder work
“It is of great importance therefore, to take these successes further, to move the ICT sector further forward and eventually achieve the future goals and targets we have set for ourselves.
The country needs to continue to work harder, to realise its ambitions of fully maximising the potential of ICT for the greater good of the country and our people; to continue to use ICT as a tool for socio-economic development and recognising the ICT industry as growth sector; to continue to take the benefits / dividends of ICT to every citizen in every village.
Recognition of cream of local software motivates industry
“Applications, software products, play a fundamental part in realising this vision. As always, quality software is a key contributor in achieving country’s goals and objectives. Hence the significance of activities such as NBQSA. NBQSA recognises the cream of the local software industry, and the greatest of the local software products. It is important to have this recognition, as this is what spurs and motivates the industry to achieve even more in the future.
Government’s commitment
“The Government through the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) is always fully committed, to being a partner in the national responsibility of recognising ICT successes of the country. It will continue to do so, as another of its contributions to achieving the ICT led national development plan”.
ICTA also has an annual event known as ‘e-Swabhimani’ to give national recognition to the best e-content developers in the country.
ICTA is for the fourth consecutive time the British Computer Society (BCS)’s national partner in this event aimed at giving recognition to local software development. The competition will be held under 19 categories including e-Government and services, media and entertainment, education and training, security and finance. WSO2 (“Web Services Oxygen” ) Business Development Senior Sales Director Devaka Randeniya, Industrial and Financial Systems (IFS) South Asia Vice President Jayantha de Silva, Bank of Ceylon Assistant Director ( IT) Lakshman Perera, NBQSA Chairman Vajeendra S. Kandegamage, University of Colombo School of Computing Director Professor Gihan Wikramanayake, ICTA CEO Reshan Dewapura, Sri Lanka Association of Software and Service Companies (SLASSCOM) Chairman Sujiva Dewaraja, and Lk Domain Registry CEO and Moratuwa University Professor Gihan Dias and also participated in the launch.
The final award presentation ceremony of this NBQSA 2012 will be held at Galadari Hotel Colombo on 19th October, 2012. Further information about the relevant competition could be obtained via http://www.nbqsasrilanka.org or telephone number 0112665261/2.
While BCS the Chartered Institute for IT, UK is the main sponsor of NBQSA, the event is annually organised by the BCS the Chartered Institute for IT Sri Lanka Section (BCSSL).
The main objectives of NBQSA are (1) to provide recognition for outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations in Sri Lanka who/which have contributed to the development of ICT, (2) to create a window to gain international recognition for locally developed ICT products and (3) to improve standards and the quality of local ICT products and services, to be able to compete in the international market place.
During this NBQSA 2012 inauguration event the website www. biz2biz.lk was also launched to boost the entry of the country’s ICT sector and its products to the international market.
Caption ( 2837)
University of Colombo School of Computing Director Professor Gihan Wikramanayake and NBQSA Chairman Vajeendra S. Kandegamage accepting a token of ICTA’s sponsorship of NBQSA 2012 as its National Partner from ICTA CEO Reshan Dewapura.
Caption (2832)
ICTA CEO Reshan Dewapura launching the website www.biz2biz.lk
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