Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka

ICTA Sri Lanka News http://www.icta.lk/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:24:36 GMT FeedCreator 1.8.0-dev (info@mypapit.net) RNTC-ICTA to conduct Internet for Journalists workshop in Colombo http://www.icta.lk/en/policy-leadership-and-institutional-development/946-rntc-icta-to-conduct-internet-for-journalists-workshop-in-colombo.html World-renowned media training centre, RNTC, will conduct a two-week practical training workshop for Sri Lankan media personnel on ‘Internet for Journalists’.

“This will be organised parallel to the e-Sri Lanka awareness workshop from 6th to 17th September in Colombo,” ICTA Chief Operation Officer Reshan Dewapura says.

“The course aims at strengthening the capacity of broadcast, print and online journalists and of the organisations they work for to use the Internet for the purposes of research, publication and distribution”, RNTC Course Manager Tony Wilkinson said.

The Colombo workshop in which 25 local media personnel will take part, will be conducted by two professional trainers from Holland, namely, Abi Daruvalla and Jeroen Westerbeek.

“The speed of the Internet and its growing ubiquity mean that it is increasingly for journalists the first medium on which their stories appear. On the internet they can present their news stories in new and attractive ways, supported by additional background material, using a variety of media, and stored in dossiers and archives for later retrieval. The rapid evolution of interactive technologies and social media also means that, more than ever, journalists can engage with their audiences and readers,” ICTA COO explained.

]]> sharmain@icta.lk (sharmain) Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:12:13 GMT http://www.icta.lk/en/policy-leadership-and-institutional-development/946-rntc-icta-to-conduct-internet-for-journalists-workshop-in-colombo.html Positive values of GIC-1919 could have a catalyst effect on public institutions http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/86-re-engineering-government/945-positive-values-of-gic-1919-could-have-a-catalyst-effect-on-public-institutions.html

The positive values of the Government Information Centre – 1919 could have a catalyst effect on all Government institutions, said Chairman GIC-1919 Project Steering Committee and Additional Presidential Secretary Dr. I. H. K. Mahanama. The Additional Secretary said so while participating at the Annual National GIC – 1919 Conference held at Hotel Galadari, Colombo last Tuesday (31).

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga , Dr. Mahanama said that he would like to pass on the message of the Secretary to the representatives of Government institutions participating at the conference. That message, briefly stated, is that with the cooperation of Government institutions, including speedy submission of updated service manuals, GIC could do wonders towards making Sri Lanka the wonder of Asia as envisaged in the “Mahinda Chintana Vision for the Future”, Dr. Mahanama emphasised.

Placing the GIC in its perspective Dr. Mahanama said that the “Mahinda Chintana Vision for the Future” with the foresight on the fivefold hub had covered the whole spectrum of Sri Lanka’s economy. The policy statement manifests a thorough study of Sri Lanka’s economy. Backed by a thorough study of the past it points out what should now be done in the whole economy of the country including the naval, aviation, commercial, energy and knowledge sectors for a better future, the Additional Secretary added.The GIC acclaimed for its promptitude, courtesy, accuracy, personal interest, tenacity and on-going improvement through advanced technology could percolate into the Government institutions and play a pivotal role in making Sri Lanka the Knowledge hub of Asia. “We might not be able to reduce the number of letters received daily to five as in Singapore, but substantial time could be put in for productive work with greater public service efficiency”, Dr. Mahanama said. The additional secretary explained that due to the culture of Sri Lanka people were prone to address even matters that could be thrashed out at levels nearer home to the Head of State. However there is an in-built facility in the GIC project to put forward grievances and complaints. Each complaint is considered carefully, brought to the attention of the relevant office and the caller is sent a reply with regard to his complaint with confidentiality maintained at all times.

]]> dilanp@icta.lk (ICTAWEB) Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:21:05 GMT http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/86-re-engineering-government/945-positive-values-of-gic-1919-could-have-a-catalyst-effect-on-public-institutions.html All set for Cyber Security Week 2010 http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/90-general/932-all-set-for-cyber-security-week-2010.html All arrangements have been made for the Cyber Security Week (CSW) 2010 to be held in the first week of September this year with a new look.

Organised by the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team (SLCERT), a subsidiary of the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), CSW 2010 will be a rare opportunity for awareness creation about cyber security issues.

The cynosure of the CSW 2010 will be a triduum, with the third Annual National Conference on cyber security on first September and the Technical Workshops 1 and 2 held respectively on second and third September.

Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo will be the venue of the conference and the two workshops with the confab scheduled to begin at 8.30 and the workshops at 9.00 a.m. and end at 5.00 p.m. “New generation, new threats, be secure” connotes the theme of the conference.

While Workshop 1 will cover “Implementation of Secure Networks”, Workshop 2 will focus on “Making web application secure”. Placed in a full laboratory setup, supported by experienced resource persons with printed course materials and software tools including CDs to facilitate better focusing the conference and workshops are sure to offer a rare cyber exposure.

]]> sharmain@icta.lk (sharmain) Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:35:11 GMT http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/90-general/932-all-set-for-cyber-security-week-2010.html ICTA and private sector praised by Minister Tissa Vitarana http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/90-general/931-icta-and-private-sector-praised-by-minister-tissa-vitarana.html Technology and Research Minister Tissa Vitarana paid a glowing tribute to both the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) and the private secto for their role in making the benefits ICTA accrue to people island-wide. “We must congratulate both the ICT Agency for the e-Sri Lanka Programme which has been forging ahead successfully despite various problems and the private sector for joining in to advance ICT in this country”, the Minister said.

The Minister said so while addressing as Chief Guest at the inaugural session of the28th National Information Technology Conference organised by the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) Sin Colombo recently (11-12). The two-day conference “ICT 2.0: ‘Empowering Sri Lanka to a New Social Order” had more than 24 high quality paper presentations and was marked by a distinguished panel speakers.

Continuing the address, the Minister said that the President had made a historical input into the concept of Nenasalas by having them set up in places where devotees of the major religions of the country congregate. Due to that input today 601 Nensalas are successfully spread across the country in a manner that is people friendly. The Minister added that if not for that village-friendly cultural change initiated by the President the Nenasalas would have been restricted to an elitist society as internet cafes even today. “These Nenasalas are complemented currently by 257 Vidata centres. Plans are under way to have a Vidata centre in each of the 331 administrative areas.” the Minister said. The Minister emphasised that it was encouraging that an all-out effort was being made both by the Government and private sector including the Computer Society of Sri Lanka to make peoples’ lives comfortable through ICT.

]]> sharmain@icta.lk (sharmain) Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:17:35 GMT http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/90-general/931-icta-and-private-sector-praised-by-minister-tissa-vitarana.html Satellite technology to improve railway transport management http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/86-re-engineering-government/922-satellite-technology-to-improve-railway-transport-management.html The ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) and the Sri Lanka Railway Department (SLR) have jointly taken steps to use satellite technology to improve railway transport management.
ICTA and the SLR and gTrack Solutions Private Ltd. signed a MoU recently to use Satellite Technology that would greatly enhance the railway transport management in Sri Lanka.
This MoU to use the Global Position System (GPS) and the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) entailing satellite technology for more efficient train service management and more effective commuter satisfaction was signed at the Railway Department headquarters in Colombo last week.
ICTA Re-engineering Government Programme Director Wasantha Deshapriya said that as a result of the application of Satellite Technology as per the MoU anyone from anywhere would be able instantly to know where a train operating under the new technology is.
"When this project is implemented anyone will be able to avail himself/herself of the automatic display of where a train equipped with the said facility is at any given time. The commuter, actual or potential will be able to know instantly whether the train concerned will be on schedule, have a delay and if so the likely extent of the delay and make alternative plans accordingly. He or she will be able to have this information simply by using his/her mobile phone or internet," Deshapriya added.

]]> dilanp@icta.lk (ICTAWEB) Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:18:17 GMT http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/86-re-engineering-government/922-satellite-technology-to-improve-railway-transport-management.html ICTA Grant Scheme covering Startups’ 75% of project cost starts off http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/88-ict-investment-and-private-sector-development/914-icta-grant-scheme-covering-startups-75-of-project-cost-starts-off.html Under an ICTA-initiated grant scheme aimed at promoting new technologies startup companies with less than a two-year post-registration existence and less than 10 employees could aspire to have 75 per cent of their total project cost reimbursed.

This was revealed at a media conference organised by the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) and Intel at Hotel Taj Samudra for the launch of the Grant Scheme of ICTA Friday (30).

The programme targets new business enterprises or those in the very early stages of development and aims at encouraging entrepreneurs island-wide to launch new technology products and/or services. Thus the programme promotes the launch of these products and services which are transformations of their new business ideas while addressing market gaps and assisting new ICT related innovations. Under the scheme registered technology businesses in Sri Lanka less than two years in existence and with less than 10 employees can apply for a grant. This grant will cover 75% of the total project cost or a maximum of USD 5,000 whichever is lower. With the grant the new companies can subsidise infrastructure, capacity building, business development and any other third party costs. ICTA informs that up to 20 such companies may be supported under this programme in stages.

]]> sharmain@icta.lk (sharmain) Mon, 02 Aug 2010 04:49:18 GMT http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/88-ict-investment-and-private-sector-development/914-icta-grant-scheme-covering-startups-75-of-project-cost-starts-off.html ICTA initiated project gives free and open access to ICASL course materials http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/89-e-society/913-icta-initiated-project-gives-free-and-open-access-to-icasl-course-materials.html Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) has taken steps to make even globally acclaimed courses, till recently the prerogative of a few, available to all.

An example of this is ICTA’s recent partnering with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka in a pilot project now being replicated island-wide. Under this ICTA initiated project ICASL has given free and open access to its web-site www.icasl-online.com with effect from 27th instant. This good news was disclosed at the first ever awareness meeting held in the country in this regard at Devanayagam Hall in Batticaloa yesterday [recently] (27 July). About 400 eager GCE AL students who participated in the meeting were overjoyed and impatient to try the web-site that will enable them, or any person, for that matter, to browse and perform online studies in Financial Accounting, Management Business Economics and Business Mathematics and Statistics

Speaking on the occasion of the inauguration of the campaign to create awareness of this facility ICTA e-Society Senior Programme Head Chitranganie Mubarak said, “While there is no denying the fact that face-to-face teaching plays an essential role in a student’s path towards his/professional goal the new opportunity that business studies students in particular and students of all categories and for that matter the people in general will have as a result of this project to pursue their studies is remarkable.” .

]]> sharmain@icta.lk (sharmain) Mon, 02 Aug 2010 03:57:37 GMT http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/89-e-society/913-icta-initiated-project-gives-free-and-open-access-to-icasl-course-materials.html Nominations open for e-Swabhimani 2010 http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/89-e-society/910-nominations-open-for-e-swabhimani-2010.html

Nominations are open for e-Swabhimani 2010 aimed at recognizing excellence in digital content creation. The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) has invited nominations from individuals and organisations that have developed creative content and practices using ICT making the benefits of ICT accrue to the people. The nominations which were open from mid-July is scheduled close on August 15th.
A top benefit from e-Swabhimani the award organised by the e-Society Programme of ICTA for best creative content and practices using ICT in 11 categories is that it will give international, regional and local recognition. It will constitute the natural pre-selection for the World Summit Awards and all nominations for e-Swabhimani 2010 will be automatically considered for the WSA 2011. All shortlisted nominations will be submitted to the Manthan Award South Asia and other regional awards. It will provide opportunities for networking and creating business alliances and collaborations. It will also be a platform for benchmarking products and services. It will also provide exposure to investment opportunities and investors.
The e-Swabhimani winners will receive the e-Swabhimani trophy, publicity in the national media, exclusive rights for using the award logo on personal stationery and products. Their products will also be showcased at all local and regional events, promoted offline and online and featured in the e-Swabhimani booklet.

]]> dilanp@icta.lk (ICTAWEB) Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:00:22 GMT http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/89-e-society/910-nominations-open-for-e-swabhimani-2010.html 'Updated databases make lives simple' http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/90-general/908-updated-databases-make-lives-simple.html

Properly maintained databases make people's lives simple, comfortable and enjoyable said Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga

He was speaking at the National Conference ICT Policy for Government held at the Ceylon Continental Hotel in Colombo last Saturday.

Around 70 top officials comprising secretaries, additional secretaries of Ministries and their Chief Innovation Officers participated at the event.

The Secretary said that the foreign countries, including ICT giants like India were in high praise of Sri Lanka 's ICT achievements, the world awards won and Sri Lanka 's flagship project, namely the Government Information Centre (1919).

Some of these countries even want to learn from some of our projects and adopt them in their countries, including the GIC and LGN which consists in linking all Government institutions.

Weeratunga said that in one instance the great success of 1919 saved him from embarrassment.

One leader had told him that when he accessed a Sri Lankan Government institution website, he found that it had not been updated.

However the service provided by 1919 was able to compensate for some of the flaws of the websites of some Government institutions.

The Secretary said that the excellence of one project was no excuse for imperfection in other projects and he would request Secretaries of all Ministries to ensure that the websites of their Ministries were updated as soon as possible.

]]> sharmain@icta.lk (sharmain) Fri, 16 Jul 2010 09:43:13 GMT http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/90-general/908-updated-databases-make-lives-simple.html Systematic programme put in place for implementing ICT policy for Government http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/90-general/907-systematic-programme-put-in-place-for-implementing-ict-policy-for-government.html Presidential secretary Lalith Weeratunga says that as a first step in this programme he hopes to exchange views on the relevant policy directly with the secretaries of all ministries.

Accordingly, the presidential secretary has taken steps to meet the secretaries of all ministries for discussing matters in connection with the ICT policy for Government.

While the first of these meetings will be held tomorrow ( Saturday 10th July) the practical aspects of implementing the ICT policy are scheduled to be discussed at this meeting.

This meeting is held under the series of national seminars for information on the e-Government policy and is organised by the Information and Communication Agency of Sri Lanka.

]]> sharmain@icta.lk (sharmain) Fri, 09 Jul 2010 04:56:15 GMT http://www.icta.lk/en/icta/90-general/907-systematic-programme-put-in-place-for-implementing-ict-policy-for-government.html