Sri Lanka leapfrogs to a digital Government, says Telecom Minister
Sri Lanka steps into a major socio-economic reform via digital transformation next year ensuring that right skills and resources are available for the public sector with Information Technology (IT) as a key component in this push, Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando announced in Colombo on Tuesday. The government will be assisting the public sector to grasp the full potential of future-digital technology components that are to be introduced shortly under the initiative of “Transforming to a Digital Government”.
Over 960 state institutions are to be provided with100 mbps Internet connections via fibre optics next year as a step towards improving connectivity, he revealed. The Ministry has identified around 380 IT development projects in health, agriculture, industrial and several other sectors for the effective use of modern technology, he said adding that procurements are being made for 64 projects out of those 380. He disclosed these details in front of a fully- packed audience of telecom experts, top officials of the industry including executive staff members of Sri Lanka Telecom at the launch of “SLT Zero One Awards for Digital Excellence’ at the Colombo Hilton.
The Minister pointed out that the government would be able to pave the path to innovate more and reap the benefits of a well-executed digital economic model. Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom Group, P. G. Kumarasinghe Sirisena commenting on SLT ZeroOne Awards said, “The digital landscape is becoming increasingly popular in today’s technologically driven society and if used strategically, it can be effectively leveraged to meet the marketing objectives of organisations and businesses. Sri Lanka has come a long way in terms of digital initiatives”.
Group Chief Executive Officer of SLT, Dileepa Wijesundera commenting on this initiative said that Sri Lanka Telecom’s digital award is a key catalyst in supporting the digital media development in Sri Lanka. The ‘Zero One’ awards will be open to a wide audience which includes individuals, agencies, SMEs, brands, multinationals and students. The awards programme was launched with an awareness campaign, launching dedicated website www.01awards.lk and www.zerooneawards.lk, inviting Sri Lankan institutions and individuals to be a part of this initiative and get recognised in their respective fields.