Digital renaissance in Sri Lanka: National Workshop accelerates Govt. transformation

Sri Lanka’s journey towards digital government transformation took a momentous leap forward with the National Capacity Building Workshop held on 7 and 8 June at the ICTA Auditorium. 

This pioneering event, jointly organised by the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), the Sustainable Development Council of Sri Lanka, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office in Sri Lanka, ushered in a new era of governance driven by digital innovation.

Against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving technological landscape, where digital solutions have become integral to economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability, Sri Lanka’s Government and its esteemed partners embarked on a collaborative endeavour to shape a digitally empowered future for the nation.

The workshop began with a series of engaging sessions that provided a comprehensive understanding of the principles of effective governance for sustainable development, trends in digital government transformation and integrated capability development. A selected group of 57 senior Government officials engaged in digital government transformation from various ministries and other Government organisations immersed themselves in focused discussions, exploring emerging challenges and identifying strategies to address them. 

Renowned resource persons and moderators, distinguished for their expertise in digital government and sustainable development, guided participants on an enlightening journey. They delved into the intricacies of digital government transformation, identified best practices, and unravelled the path to success. 

Resource persons and moderators were UN DESA, DPIDG, Innovation and Digital Government Inter-Regional Advisor Cristina Alicia Rodriguez Acosta; Sri Lanka UN Resident Coordinator Christian Skoog; University of Moratuwa Vice Chancellor and Ministry of Technology Secretary Sr. Prof. Niranjan D. Gunawardena; UNPOG, DPIDG, UN-DESA Head Kyu Chang Ko; Sri Lanka ICT Agency Chief Executive Officer Mahesh Perera; Sri Lanka Sustainable Development Council Director General Chamindry Saparamadu; Presidential Secretariat ICT and Digitisation Additional Secretary Thushara Suraweera; Prime Minister’s Office Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Deepa Liyanage; UN DESA, DPIDG, Digital Government Branch Chief Vincenzo Aquaro; Republic of Korea Presidential Committee on Digital Platform Government Je Myung Ryu; Singapore GovTech International and Community Development Lead Deputy Director Karen Kee; UNESCO Division for Digital Inclusion, Policies and Transformation, Communications and Information Director Marielza Oliveira; UN DESA, DPIDG, UNPOG, Sr. Governance and Public Administration Officer Keping Yao; Sri Lanka Citra Social Innovation Lab Strategic Engagement and Exploration Lead Yasas Thalagala; ITU GovStack Global Overall Lead Yolanda Martínez; Sri Lanka ICT Agency Chief Digital Government Officer Kanchana Thudugala, Chief Technology Officer Chrishantha Nanayakkara; Associate Chief Digital Economy Officer Sameera Jayawardena; Sri Lanka Sustainable Development Council Assistant Director Sheron Hewawaduge and Sri Lanka UN Resident Coordinator Office Development Coordination Officer Azam Bakeer Markar. 

The workshop not only provided a platform for knowledge sharing but also addressed the holistic approach being adopted for digital capacity building in Sri Lanka’s Government institutions. The participants emerged equipped with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to navigate the digital landscape and effect transformative change within their respective organisations.

In tandem, the workshop facilitated the effective adoption of the Digital Government Competency Framework, a testament to Sri Lanka’s commitment to empower Government officials with the necessary skills to thrive in the digital era. This comprehensive framework will foster a culture of digital proficiency, ensuring that every level of governance possesses the expertise to drive digital transformation forward.

With the recognition made by eminent resource persons and entities, the integrated capacity-building approach towards digital Government transformation in Sri Lanka has been further strengthened, and its components align with global best practices. The workshop’s outcomes will find their place in the upcoming Digital Economy Strategy 2030, shaping the nation’s vision for a digitally capable and connected Government.

The National Capacity Building Workshop to Accelerate Digital Government Transformation served as a catalyst for change, igniting a sense of purpose and determination among Government leaders and policymakers. It paved the way for collaborative action, as participants united under a shared vision to unlock the potential of digital governance for the betterment of Sri Lanka.