Chief Digital Information Officer development framework to drive digital transformation in public sector

Top row: Secretary to the Ministry of Technology Jayantha De Silva and ICTA Chairman Oshada Senanayake

Bottom row: ICTA Chief Executive Office Eng. Mahinda B. Herath, Chief Digital Economy Officer Anura De Alwis and Director Capacity Building Sameera Jayawardena

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) has announced the launch of a framework to develop ‘Chief Digital Information Officers’ (CDIO) in the public sector of Sri Lanka.  The initiative was launched virtually in the presence of the Secretary to the Ministry of Technology Jayantha De Silva, ICTA Chairman Oshada Senanayake, ICTA Chief Executive Office Eng. Mahinda B. Herath and many distinguished speakers and invitees from the public and Government sectors. This initiative is targeted at developing 500 CDIOs in the public sector by 2024.

ICTA, in line with the national vision of building a smart nation, has embarked on a journey of driving digital transformation in the public sector. These efforts are undertaken to ensure efficient and effective service delivery to stakeholders, mainly the citizens of Sri Lanka.

Capacitating the Government is essential to making digital government transformation a success. In lieu of fulfilling this national objective, ICTA embarked on a holistic capacity building drive and incorporated a framework focusing on making the Government digitally matured while empowering the workforce at all levels.

A key pillar in this effort is the creation of a Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO), a capable and competent individual established within public sector institutions to drive its vital digitisation efforts. 

The CDIO will ensure to drive the digital transformation while ensuring the public sector organisations undertake timely, relevant, and feasible efforts to reduce costs, ensure faster service delivery and maintain transparency in all transactions and interactions within the Government.

Commenting on this initiative, the Secretary to the Ministry of Technology stated: “The Government of Sri Lanka is fully committed to supporting this initiative launched by ICTA. A significant shift is expected within the Government sector towards a citizen-centric Government in the next three years. Therefore, we urge Government sector employees to step forward and be part of this initiative as ICTA facilitates capacity-building, focusing on developing a capable Government workforce.”

The ICTA Chairman stated: “As much as we focus on a journey of digital transformation across the public sector, a key imperative is capacity-building and up-skilling for sustainability in the long term. The Government CDIO program will be pivotal in ensuring the introduction of technology as a catalyst within the public sector, harmonising digital initiatives with organisational processes and policies, aligned to ensuring an optimum user experience to the public.”

The CDIO framework launched today will outline the roadmap of the Government CDIO initiative for the public sector of Sri Lanka. In addition, the framework will provide the necessary guidance and minimum qualifications and competencies required for any Government employee to consider the position of CDIO.

John Keells Holdings PLC Executive Vice President/Group CIO Ramesh Shanmuganathan and Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC Head of IT Ama Ekanayaka, gave inspiring and thought-provoking talks during the session, relating to their experiences in the private sector that could be applied to transforming Sri Lanka.

ICTA Chief Digital Economy Officer Anura De Alwis introduced the pool of mentors dedicated to assisting in this process, namely, Shanmuganathan, Ekanayake, A. Baur and Co. Ltd. Director IT Anoja Basnayake, Virtusa Executive Vice President/CIO ICTA Board Member Madhu Ratnayake, Janashakthi Group Group CIO K.V. Kuganathan, and MAS Holdings Chief Digital Officer Jehan Mutalif.

ICTA’s Chief Officers along with Director – Capacity Building were also present at this forum which was successfully concluded. All Government officers are invited to take part and be a part of the Digital Government Transformation along with the multi-faceted capacity building drive.