Computer Society of Sri Lanka launches Deyata IT

The Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL - www.cssl.lk) has launched its newest program to popularise Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among all Sri Lankans, especially focusing on rural areas.

Deyata IT program is aimed at increasing overall awareness on ICT, supporting ICT education and assisting with understanding ICT career road map. It also plans to organise ICT competitions for the students.

The first event under this initiative was conducted as an ICT awareness program at the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) stall at Deyata Kirula.  This workshop was conducted on 7 and 8 February which included a number of 15 minute sessions. Students and parents participated in these Deyata IT workshops.

The CSSL was established in 1976 in Sri Lanka for the purpose of promoting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and professionalism among those engaged in this field, and to maintain the highest professional standards among the ICT fraternity. It is a not-for-profit body. Internationally it is recognised as a member of IFIP – International Federation for Information Processing. CSSL is also the Sri Lankan representative in the South East Asia Regional Computer Confederation (SEARCC).

CSSL President Mahesh Perera commented on the initiative where he stated, “Deyata IT will drive activities to promote ICT in rural areas and also to help our nation to understand and come to grips with the great capabilities and potential of ICT. CSSL is a national body with a national focus, so assisting citizens of Sri Lanka no matter where they live is our responsibility. We have taken a giant step forward with Deyata IT to further fulfil that responsibility.”

Dissanayake Bandara of CSSL is the program leader of Deyata IT. He stated that he was extremely happy with the interest that students and parents showed in ICT at the Anuradhapura Deyata IT program held at Deyata Kirula. He said that CSSL will be coming to many parts of the country with such program this year.

The CSSL Strategy for 2012 well aligns with the national ICT objectives set out by the President in Mahinda Chinthana around creating a knowledge hub. The goal of the Knowledge hub has a lot to do with ICT. The Government has launched various programs to increase ICT literacy to 75% by 2016. The CSSL is well aligned with this vision is strongly placed to support it.