Monday Nov 25, 2024
Monday Nov 25, 2024
Friday, 25 October 2013 04:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
It is my pleasure to be with all of you this evening as we inaugurate a unique global initiative – the World Summit Award Global Congress 2013. This event has brought together people of many different cultures, many countries and many nationalities.
We welcome you as guests of our country.
As Information and Communication Technology takes us to new heights, I believe it is our duty to ensure that no country or citizen is left behind. My Government has always been committed to ensuring that the benefits of technology are not limited to a privileged few, but reach all sections of our society.
e-Sri Lanka Development Initiative
It is with this vision that we launched the e-Sri Lanka Development Initiative. The National Policy pertaining to all our development activities is firmly based on this premise and the e-development agenda of my Government, is no exception.
We strongly believe that Information and Communication Technology, is the future driving force of economies. It is the tool and the enabler that will push the boundaries of socio-economic development, in countries such as ours.
That is why we have given priority to ICT, and main-streamed ICT in all our development activities. Through the e-Sri Lanka Initiative we are moving forward rapidly to bring benefits of ICT, to the door step of our rural population.
Many talk of the ‘Concept of a Global Village’ – but I want a global village which is meaningful to our people. This is why we have always stressed on the importance of linking the villages and townships and opening doors to the world of knowledge outside.
Urgent need to equip the people
To achieve this objective, the Development Policy Framework of the Government of Sri Lanka, the ‘Mahinda Chinthana – Vision for the Future’ lays clear emphasis on the urgent need to equip the people, especially, the youth and in particular, the rural youth. They must acquire a working knowledge of the English language on the one hand, and on the other, they should master IT skills and have access to computers and the internet.
In this context, we have implemented a unique network of ‘tele-centres’ known as Nenasalas which give access to rural communities. Today there are 720 Nenasalas spread throughout the island. We have also established over 3,500 IT labs in schools, across the country. We are now reaping the benefits of our efforts. Our ICT Literacy which was a mere 4% in 2002 is over 40% today. I am committed to ensuring that this figure goes up to 75% by 2015.
Instrument for rural empowerment
As you can see, ICT is used by my Government as an instrument for rural empowerment; as a powerful tool that could make the villages of our country a meaningful part of the global village.
The e-Sri Lanka Initiative has numerous other successes and has been in the fore-front in using ICT, for the benefit of ordinary people and for improving their lives.
We are now in a position to take Sri Lanka to the next a level in ICT led development. My officials have already drawn up the next phase of the e-Development Master Plan which reflects the national goals of accelerated economic growth and the elimination of poverty; shifting to a more knowledge based, globally integrated economy and ensuring access to basic services and an inclusive information society.
A SMART Sri Lanka
Our vision is a SMART Sri Lanka. In moving towards our vision, we will focus on a SMART Government which will do more, with less. Benefitting from re-engineering processes which have already taken place, we will adopt a ‘Whole of Government’ approach offering our citizens ONE common window for all services.
Our villages will have evolved into SMART villages with multi-purpose service centres and a high level of social innovation. Our IT/BPO industry will become the number one driver of growth and SMART JOB creation.
My Government will also ensure that we have the right ICT Policy and e-Laws in place, to make this transformation possible. I am confident that with all these vital components in place, we will see our vision of a ‘Smart Sri Lanka’ realised over the next five to six years.
A country in revival
It is in this backdrop that the World Summit Award 2013 has come to Sri Lanka. After a 30 year long conflict which almost destroyed our country and our economy, Sri Lanka today is a country in revival. Colombo is a well-planned, environmentally sustainable and culturally vibrant city. The country is shifting to a more globally integrated, competitive, knowledge based economy.
Just as we have ICT success stories to relate, I am sure all of you have successes that you are proud to talk about, in your countries. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all those countries that have successfully embarked upon and delivered mature, acclaimed e-Development initiatives.
I have no doubt about the potential of valuable, relevant and localised digital content. It has the power to transform the socio economic environment of people, societies and countries. A global initiative of the magnitude of the World Summit Awards gives us further opportunities to share our experiences ... and synchronise our efforts in this area, for the future.
Power of ICT
I am sure you will all agree ... that ICT is the only tool that will cross geographical barriers, social barriers and reach out to the rural, disadvantaged and vulnerable communities. It is up to all of us, to ensure that these are not just dreams, that we achieve each and every one of these goals and objectives.
I would like to conclude by commending all those who worked tirelessly to successfully organise World Summit Award Global Congress 2013, and also offer my heartiest congratulations to all the WSA award winners, from across the globe.
I do hope our foreign delegates will have a very pleasant stay in our country and wish you all a very successful three days as you deliberate, discuss and share experiences.
May the noble Triple Gem bless you all.
