Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka

By Mario Fernandopulle

Mobile phones can be a tremendous stimulus to empowering the people says Technology and Research Minister Professor Tissa Vitarana. The Minister said so while participating as Chief Guest at the inauguration of the first South Asian Mobile Content Conference held at   Colombo Taj Samudra Hotel last Thursday.

Speaking further at the inauguration of the conference hosted by the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (CTA) with Etisalat Sri Lanka Private Ltd. and hSenid Mobile as strategic partners, the Minister said that technology, when properly, used could open new vistas of great opportunities for people everywhere.  “Sri Lanka is relatively at an advantage among countries in the region owing to its high rate of literacy offering a great opportunity for knowledge. Knowledge is power enabling people to forge ahead.  It helps to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, the village and the city.  This opportunity should be grabbed and optimized, the Minister urged.

“It is a well known fact that media is controlled by powerful groups who amass wealth at the expense of society.  Mobile phone can dispel the false information and rid society of the ills that misinformation brings and thus enrich people’s quality of life”, the Minister pointed out.

In his address at the inauguration of the confab with representatives from South Asia including about 300 from Sri Lanka ICTA Chief Operating Officer Reshan Dewapura said:”At a time when Information and Communication Technology is getting closer and embedded with our daily lives in a meaningful manner, I’m extremely happy to have the opportunity to speak a few words at the inauguration of the mBillionth – South Asian mobile conference. It is indeed important and significant that we are able to host this event in Colombo.

“These mBillionth events, I see them as another step in our journey of taking the benefits of ICT to all our citizens – not just to a privileged few; and it is also another contribution from the ICT Agency in realizing the objectives of innovative National Development Programmes such as e-Sri Lanka.

“All these activities have a great significance and bearing to the socio-economic development of countries such as ours. These activities we see as integral parts of the e-development roadmap of Sri Lanka, which we so diligently and tirelessly pursue and implement.  We believe that any development activity that we embark upon should ultimately offer benefits to the ordinary citizens of this country.

“I have to mention here that these efforts have resulted in numerous achievements and successes in the field of ICT in Sri Lanka. Our percentage ranking in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) has moved up steadily over the years and our ICT Literacy figure has increased to over 30 per cent currently. We have, through our e-Development agenda tried to have some level of impact in the lives of all citizens in this country. The Nenasalas, the Government Information Centre, the Birth Marriage and Death Certificate digitalization project, the Lanka Government Network, Lanka Gate and numerous other e-Society applications come to the forefront as pioneers in this effort.

“It is worth noting with significance, the ever increasing convergence of the ICT sector with the Mobile Industry, which has made strides and impacted a vast population in the last 10 years or so, in its own right. Mobile devices are being progressively used more as tools for accessing information services and executing transactions as opposed to mere voice communication. Hence the applications and content in the mobile space are vitally important, to fully leverage on this opportunity and maximize the benefits.

“So it is no surprise that as Government, as a Government agency we are fully behind meaningful events such as mBillionth. e-Sri Lanka’s own flagship project, Lanka Gate – the de facto e-Service delivery platform for all Government e-services – recognizes Mobile devices as a key channel, not only for accessing the services but for mobile payments as well and we are taking all necessary steps to implement this in full, some of which is already completed and available .

“It is indeed pertinent to mention a few more words on the commitment of this Government in the development of ICT. We are fortunate to have the leadership of a President who has recognized the development acceleration capability of ICT and placed it fairly and squarely in his policy statement of Mahinda Chintana. Mahinda Chintana also speaks of making Sri Lanka ‘a knowledge hub’ of Asia, again laying great emphasis on the role the information society has to play in the country’s development plans.

In his welcome address ICTA Chairman Professor P. W. Epasinghe wished all long life and mentioned a special word of welcome to Chief Guest Minister of Technology and Research Professor Tissa Vitarana for being a pillar of strength to ICTA in all its activities. 
 

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