Sri Lanka’s President champions digital transformation at NBQSA 2023
Daily FT: President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed yesterday that embracing ICT is no longer a choice but a necessity.
Speaking at the National ICT Awards NBQSA 2023 on Wednesday organized by the British Computer Society the Chartered Institute for IT – Sri Lanka Section, he explained the significance of digital transformation in securing Sri Lanka’s economic prosperity.
Drawing from his extensive background in information technology, dating back to the 1980s, Wickremesinghe urged all to recognize the significance of the future.
“The future is in your hand and your success is the country’s success,” he added.
Reflecting on his earlier efforts as the Education Minister to introduce IT in Sri Lanka, the President acknowledged the missed opportunities and economic setbacks resulting from underutilizing the global IT wave.
However, he insisted that it was time to move beyond past failures, with the present representing Sri Lanka’s final opportunity to partake in the digital revolution.
The President also outlined a definitive vision for Sri Lanka’s future, marking a pivotal shift towards collective responsibility and progress.
He also advocated the need for a well-defined roadmap and adequate funding to materialize this digital transformation. He also noted the potential requirement for foreign investments to expedite the process, given the rapid pace of technological advancements.
As the country looks forward to the upcoming year, he outlined the importance of collective efforts, underlining that success is contingent on collaboration between the Government and its citizens.
The President narrated a comprehensive vision for Sri Lanka’s digital future, centered on competitiveness, green transformation and digital transformation.
He acknowledged that this journey is not devoid of challenges and necessitates not only favorable laws and regulations but also substantial investment in digital infrastructure and human capital development.
“In building a highly competitive and contemporary economy, I have highlighted two additional crucial components. First is the promotion of a green economy, leveraging our renewable energy resources and embracing the global trend towards sustainability, recognizing the ongoing global green transformation,” he said.
Wickremesinghe encouraged collaborative efforts between the private sector and the Government to foster IT human capital across all levels, from postgraduates to skilled workers, recognizing that Government initiatives alone may prove inadequate.
The President called on the ICT industry to accept the challenge, drawing parallels with the transformative journey undertaken by the apparel industry in the past. He expressed optimism regarding the industry’s potential and underscored the urgency of advancing Sri Lanka’s progression towards a digital future.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s ICT and digital infrastructure development sectors are the fastest growing economic sectors in the country. With Sri Lanka working towards becoming an emerging business destination in the South Asian region, the ICT and digital infrastructure development sectors will witness a vast expansion in the next few years. The government of Sri Lanka is also committed to transforming the country into an e-economy with focus on digitalization of the state and private sectors. This has created a host of new business/investment opportunities. The growth and profits recorded by local businesses engaged in the ICT and digital infrastructure development sectors in Sri Lanka is indicative of the growing business potential in these sectors. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore explore the growing business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s ICT and digital infrastructure development sectors while also looking at forming partnerships or joint ventures with local businesses engaged in these sectors with the aim of further expansion.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20231101/Z_3 |