Harin upbeat after Silicon Valley visit

• Says positive interest in Sri Lanka after meetings with Google, Facebook 

• Global giants eyed for Digital Summit later this year in Colombo

Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando yesterday sounded upbeat following what he indicated as an absorbing landmark visit to Silicon Valley in the US recently.

Together with State Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardena and ICTA CEO Muhunthan Canagey, he met up with senior officials of Google as well as Facebook among others during the tour. 

A highlight of the visit was a meeting with Google co-founder 42 year old Sergey Brin, whose net worth is $ 34 billion, close to half of Sri Lanka’s GDP.

The Lankan trio also took a ride in Google’s driver-less car. 

Fernando said that global tech giants are positive about Sri Lanka especially on future prospects under the new Government. 

“If Sri Lanka is to leapfrog ahead in the ICT and software industry, a positive connection with Silicon Valley will be of considerable help,” said the Minister who added that recent success has been possible with support from Sri Lankan-born Silicon Valley-based venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya. He was also associated with the Sri Lankan delegation during the visit.

Fernando said that a mega digital summit is being planned for mid-year 2016 which will see convergence in Sri Lanka of some of the big global names.