The launch of e-Sri Lanka which also coincided with the 40th Anniversary of Fortune 500 giant International Business Machines (IBM) in Sri Lanka, Premier Wickremesinghe said: "IBM has been in partnership with economic development in Sri Lanka for the last 40 years. We can say it has been one of the mainstays of our economy."
Premier Wickremesinghe said the country faced two principle challenges in that it had to end the war and also create a stable future for the ensuing generations.
The Government is confident that it can end the ravaging war which engulfed the nation for two decades and also usher in lasting peace. These processes would also enhance the income of all sectors of society, the Premier said.
Sri Lanka should also be able to set up call centres countrywide which should be able to create opportunities overseas in the same manner technology that has advanced in Bangalore, India.
IBM Country Manager in Sri Lanka Kavan Ratnayaka said: "We will continue strengthening our presence in Sri Lanka and are committed to bringing about and information technology revolution in the country leveraging the skill, talents and potential of this island nation. IBM is the world's leading information technology provider backed by years of research and with proven expertise for implementing end to end e-business solutions.
The e-Sri Lanka initiative, planned under a five pronged strategy, will target the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a key lever for economic and social development, e-government for delivering citizens' services, developing ICT human resources (world class IT professionals) building national information infrastructure/ enabling environment and building capacity.
The e-Lanka initiative will integrate all the government and private sector institutions thorough an information and communication technology network facilitating governance and administration of the country.
Autor: Ravi Ladduwahetty and Sudharshana Perera
Quelle: Daily News, 21.11.2002
