CMA national management conference on digitisation prioritises digital government: Can we make it ha

Digital government may sound like something out of science fiction but countries all over the world are seeing its benefits. What can it do for you? Digitising government allows citizens to access information and services from anywhere, at any time. It can increase efficiency and allow business to be done faster and more smoothly. 

With the Government allotting Rs. 10 billion toward exactly that purpose, it is not a novel concept, even in Sri Lanka.This makes it a subject very relevant to today’s needs. So it is appropriate that the first technical session of CMA Sri Lanka’s National Management Accounting Conference 2017 will explore the possibilities and best practices.

Chairing the session on ‘Digital Government’, Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Secretary Wasantha Deshapriya will lay the foundation and set the tone for the speakers to follow, drawing from his experience in reengineering government projects and his current role at the ministry.

Plans are necessary, even essential.However, it is implementing them correctly that will allow the country to reap the benefits of digitisation. Speakers will address how governments have successfully implemented e-government initiatives and are meeting the challenges in making them a reality. Based on their experiences they will enlighten the audience on their benefits, while sharing what problems can be expected. The presentations will also reveal how digital governments can create a knowledge economy by means of a digitally empowered society.

Digital Government Transformation under the Performance Management Delivering Unit (PEMANDU), under the Prime Minister of Malaysia, will be delivered by Ravindran Devagunam, Chief Executive Officer of the International Strategic Cooperation Unit (ISCU) under the Prime Minister’s Department, Malaysia. Prior to joining the Prime Minister’s Department, as CEO of ISCU, Devagunam served as a Director at the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU), Prime Minister’s Department, overseeing corruption-related initiatives of the National Key Result Areas   (NKRA). Devagunam also managed Wholesale Retail New Key Economic Areas (NKEA) along with engagement across South Asia.

Applying the Digital Government concept to Sri Lanka, Director, Special Projects, Information and Communication Technology Agency, Kanchana Thudugala, will inform the audience about the process of putting e-government into action here. He offers a view from the inside, having contributed to the formulation and amendment of existing government policy and regulations for online services. He will also speak of the effects of empowering Sri Lankan citizens digitally and its impact on society beyond convenience.

Offering another case study, Ahmad Faris Yahaya, former Managing Director, Cyberview Sdn Bhd, Malaysia, will speak of how he led a team to create a growth-friendly ecosystem for businesses.  He reveals how building both infrastructure and an atmosphere of collaborationcan support the innovation economy. 

Yahaya will also share the how-to’s of developing a global technology hub which can drive a nation towards economic prosperity, drawing insights from his own experience.

This session will benefit public sector officials interested in learning from the challenges faced by other countries, as well as those in the private sector seeking opportunities for enabling growth for their businesses and the country as a whole.

The conference takes place on 17, 18 and 19 July at Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo. To register or obtain more information, please email [email protected] or contact Shanthi on 071 470 5536.