ICT literacy now 50% thanks to Mahinda Chinthana and ICTA: Siyambalapitiya

Monday, 16 June 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ICT literacy that was 4% when President Mahinda Rajapaksa became President in 2005 is now 50%, said Telecommunication and Information Technology Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, participating in the inauguration of 11 Nenasalas (wisdom outlets). The Minister said that out of the 4% persons ICT literate in 2005, 3% were from Colombo and only 1% was from rural areas. The Minister said that this was much due to the contribution the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) made towards implementing the Mahinda Chinthana Policy statement of the Government.

The flagship project in this regard was the 1,000 Nenasalas project implemented by ICTA. This was carried out based on a concept of President Mahinda Rajapaksa for making the dividends of ICT accrue to all the people, the Minister pointed out. Eleven new Nenasalas were set up in the Kurunegala and Puttalam Districts on 14 June. According to ICTA these Nenasalas (wisdom outlets) are set up under the ‘1,000 Nenasala’ program implemented based on a concept of President Mahinda Rajapaksa for empowering the rural community via information and communication technology. These Nenasalas are equipped with modern ICT facilities including internet. ICTA sources point out that it is significant that 11 Nenasalas were inaugurated in one day and that it is hoped that by the end of the year the target of 1,000 Nenasalas is reached. Telecommunication and Information Technology Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya was the Chief Guest at the inauguration of these 11 Nenasalas. While currently there are 82 Nenasalas in the North Western Province the total number of Nenasalas island-wide will be increased to 790 with the upcoming launch of the 11 Nenasalas.