IT industry will be developed to become major source of foreign exchange: State Minister Herath

According to State Minister of Technology Kanaka Herath, a comprehensive program has been launched to make the IT sector a major foreign exchange earning industry in Sri Lanka. He states that, it has been possible to earn 1500 million dollars in foreign exchange through the IT industry in 2021. 

He mentioned this while participating in an observation visit on 18 December to assess the quality of studies in the LIGHTING DIGITAL information technology training bootcamp, which began at Avissawella Batangala Youth Training Centre.

About 180 young people from Kegalle district participated in this residential training camp organised by The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka. During this occasion, the State Minister of Technology Kanaka Herath had a casual meeting with the students of the training camp.

He then addressed the media, stating that there are approximately 20,000 IT job openings in the public and private sectors. Further, he stated that it is the Ministry of Technology’s responsibility to mobilise the young people required for this industry. Hence, to meet the needs of the industry, information technology will be introduced as an A/L subject in the arts stream.

For this, with the assistance of UNICEF, 700 teachers are given training in information technology, NVQ syllabuses are revised as required by the job market throughout tertiary education, the development of an overall digital education policy has begun, approximately 50,000 people work directly in the field of information technology, they have also made significant contributions to the country’s ability to earn foreign currency.

Herath added that 34,000 youths will be directed to the field in 2023 through the implementation of LIGHTING DIGITAL IT training bootcamps at the district level.

Kegalle District Member of Parliament Sudath Manjula, Dehiovita Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Damidu Shamindra, Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka Senior Manager – Capacity Building Kasun Tharaka, were present for this observation visit, along with other officials from ICTA.