Sri Lanka public sector grapples with computer upgrades
View(s):Amidst the lack of public sector IT experts and severe budgetary constraints, Sri Lanka is seeking foreign agency technical and financial assistance to upgrade its ailing computer systems, software solutions and apps which were installed several years ago, and introduce new systems in state institutions.
Upgrading IT systems or procuring new software solutions for crucial state institutions has become a major issue at present owing to the shortage of IT professionals and related issues, a senior government official said.
Several public sector institutions are still using outdated computer systems and software and many such institutions find it difficult to update it due to lack of professional IT staff for the documentation and evaluation of procurement tenders, he disclosed.
Another key issue was the mainframes installed by foreign IT firms which have to be replaced in order to upgrade the existing systems, he said, adding that it is a costly affair.
Under these circumstances, such public institutions have no option other than go back to the original IT firm and purchase the IT solutions compatible to existing mainframe.
This practice has deprived the public sector institution of purchasing modern systems and carry out its functions efficiently, he said.
Another factor was that the public sector has to seek assistance of Moratuwa University or the ICTA for the preparation of tender documents with technical specifications and evaluation of bids due to lack of professional staff, he pointed out.
There were instances where the government institution had to seek the assistance of IT vendors for technical specifications; he said adding that this has created many irregularities and malpractices in the past.
The Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA) has identified many IT related issues confronting 38 state institutions, Deputy Finance Minister and Chairman of the committee Lasantha Alagiyawanna told an official meeting in Colombo recently.
He noted that these institutions lacked adequate financial resources and faced shortages in support services by vendors.
They also had difficulty in recruiting IT professionals for the public institutions because of low wages in the public sector, he said adding that many of the institutions had ineffective or inadequate IT programme management.
(Bandula)