State Minister Kanaka Herath assures proper development of IT industry

State Minister of Technology Kanaka Herath recently emphasised that preparations are underway to establish a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s IT sector by 2030 through the development of necessary plans and framework. 

He further highlighted that the Government, led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has prioritised the development of the country’s digital economy.

He made this statement during his attendance as the Chief Guest at the e-Swabhimani Awards ceremony, which is organised annually by the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka under the Ministry of Technology at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. 

The e-Swabhimani Award is the most prestigious award presented by the Government of Sri Lanka to recognise individuals or organisations that develop innovative digital applications for social progress. A total of 63 IT professionals were conferred with the esteemed e-Swabhimani Award for their innovative application development in 10 distinct categories during the years 2020/2021. The State Minister of Technology Kanaka Herath, who graced the occasion, reiterated the Ministry’s steadfast commitment to provide unceasing support for the advancement and progress of Sri Lanka’s IT sector.

“Under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, plans for a digital Sri Lanka are currently underway from October to November of this year, with the objective of elevating the nation’s digital economy towards an intelligent Sri Lanka by 2030, as encapsulated in the vision ‘Transcended Digital Economy towards an Intelligent Sri Lanka 2030’,” the State Minister said. “Furthermore, Sri Lanka will have the opportunity to showcase its potential on the global stage at an upcoming international technology conference to be held in Colombo,” he added. 

Herath further mentioned that the upcoming international conference and exhibition will serve as a platform to convene over a hundred global industrialists and technology experts. Additionally, plans are underway to extend support to 50 Sri Lankan industries for their global expansion, alongside the development of five key sectors (Industry 5.0) in Sri Lanka. These sectors, comprising agriculture, tourism, transportation, education, and healthcare, will receive focused attention towards their transformational growth.

The State Minister also stated that the upcoming international conference and exhibition, which will be attended by over a hundred industry professionals and technology experts from around the world, is expected to generate one billion dollars in foreign exchange for the country and help Sri Lanka to enter the global market.

Also, in attendance at the e-Swabhimani Award ceremony were Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka Chairman Prof. Malik Ranasinghe, as well as Jury Chairman Prof. Rangika Halwathura, ICTA CEO Mahesh Perera, ICTA Board Member Vishaka Nanayakkara, ICTA Associate Chief Digital Economy Officer Sachendra Samararathna, ICTA Director – Industry Development Chiranthi Balapatabendi, and other distinguished guests.