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| Friday, 25 July 2003 |
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Minister deplores Lanka's IT related knowledge By Shirajiv Sirimane Though Sri Lanka's literacy rate is around 93% the country's IT related knowledge is around 1.5% and it is far below expectations. According to the Minister of Science and Technology Keheliya Rambukwella the IT literacy rate in the region is around 15% and in developed countries it is nearly 40%. The Minister said that he has initiated a series of programs including the hosting of a Techno Lanka exhibition every three months all over Sri Lanka to overcome this problem. He said that with this he is aiming to increase the IT literacy rate to around 15% by the end of 2005. "By this time the IT literacy rate in the region would be around 20% but the gap is narrowed." He said that in a bid to achieve this target he has got the private sector and the Divisional Secretariats too involved in this project in an aggressive manner. The Minister said that the subject of Science and Technology is a important Ministry in developed countries and in USA it is the second most powerful Ministry after Defence and it is same in India. "However this Ministry had not got its due recognition in Sri Lanka for the past 55 years and had not been placed at the right place while the Ministries such as Defence, Finance, Health, Education and Transport get preference." He said that now the situation is changing and he is also getting support from even the opposition with regard to Acts he has brought to Parliament with regard to the subject of Science and Technology. He said that in Sri Lanka the IT related industry offers a very big cake and many people can share it. "The private sector has realised this and there are more investments made in this area." The Minister said that he will have 20 internet cafes and IT centres in operation by the end of this year at 20 divisional centres in Kandy. The Minister said that the inaugural Techno Lanka exhibition will be held from August 2 to 10 in Kandy and over 50,000 school children and over 200,000 visitors will attend it. "The investment for the exhibition will be Rs. 12 million and the funds came from the private sector." |
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