President inspects construction of Galle Techno Park

• Completion of 30-acre facility expected by mid-next year
• Plantation Industries Ministry Dr. Ramesh Pathirana says move will boost education and technology sectors
• Technology Ministry Secretary Jayantha de Silva asserts new technology parks will be a major driver of economy in future
• Namal Rajapaksa says steps taken to issue a digital identity card for citizens before this year

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa this week inspected the Galle Techno Park being constructed in the Walahanduwa area.

The Government aims to build five Technology Parks countrywide with an objective of building a Cultural Technological Innovation in line with the National Policy Framework ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’. These technology parks will be located in Galle, Kurunegala, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Habarana.

Establishing Sri Lanka as a hub for technological innovation, attracting foreign investments, encouraging new companies with advanced technology, promoting export-oriented industries, creating new employment opportunities, disseminating knowledge, improving the living standards of the people in the relevant areas and earning foreign exchange for national economic development are expected through this initiative.

President Rajapaksa unveiled the project plaque and inspected the site on Thursday. The President also launched the official logo of the Galle Technology Park. The Technology Ministry expects to complete the construction of the technology park covering an area of 30 acres by the middle of 2023. The Technology Park is equipped with state-of-the-art technology facilities with 5G, nanotechnology institutions, recreational activities, nature-based sports at selected locations, as well as mental and physical recreation centers.

Welcoming the gathering, Plantation Industries Minister Ramesh Pathirana said that with the construction of the Galle Technology Park, about 2,000 direct and many more indirect employment opportunities will be created. Minister Pathirana pointed out that this project will make an immense contribution to the progress of the education and technology sectors.  

Technology Ministry Secretary Jayantha de Silva said that the new technology parks will be a major driver of the country’s economy in the future.

Namal Rajapaksa, Minister of Youth and Sports and State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Development said that the preparations will be made to issue a digital identity card to citizens before the end of 2022. Minister Rajapaksa said that the state machinery from the Grama Niladhari to the Secretary to the President would be integrated with digital technology and that all services would be provided electronically within the next 30 months to meet the targets set by the President. 

Southern Province Governor Willie Gamage, State Ministers Mohan P. De Silva, Kanchana Wijesekera, Janaka Wakkumbura, Southern Provincial Councillors, People’s Representatives and Government Officials were also present.