|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 2 March 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Business | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Developing Sinhala computer keyboard made his dream a reality by Sudarshana Perera Though an engineer by profession a penchant for computers made Chinthaka Wijewickrama to climb the ladder of success while introducing innovative ICT products and technology to Sri Lanka. Accountability and hard work have been the hallmark of his achievements with the cherished dream of making technology affordable to average people. A man of the soil, Wijewickrama made his dream a reality developing the Sinhala keyboard for the first time in the country with a digital surveillance system and a wireless LAN products through an access point. He stressed the importance of having the correct ICT leadership as a sine quo none to lobby for the growth of the ICT industry in the country. Wijewickrama is the Managing Director of Sala Enterprises, a company with diverse technology. Having set up his firm in 1992, he made significant strides. He says that language should not be a barrier towards the development of Sri Lanka and the development of his keyboard in Sinhala would help a great deal to blend the Sinhala language with computer based operations. Korea which has the highest number of internet users in the world still communicates via the Korean language. Wijewickrama said leaving the USA where he did his studies for eight years was seen by some as an un-wise decision. "But I wanted to do something for the country and I have done it," he says. "I obtained my management in computers from USA and my alma-mater was S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia. My studies and working experience in the USA made the turn around to be enterprising in any venture I am engaged in. I also lectured on computer management at the University of Sri Jayawardenapura," he said. "Sala started assembling PCs locally turning a new chapter in the country's ICT industry while importing a digital electronic dictionary. We also got the distributorship for "Prolink" branded products and the sales partnership was confirmed in 1995. Our firm also ventured into assembling "Pride" computers in 1995. Marketing of world-renowned brand products in Sri Lanka made us to imbibe their technology and we became sales partners for "Hyundai" and "Forsa note books" in 1996 and 1998," he recalls. "In 2000, turning a new leaf in our business portfolio, we diversified our business interests switching to telecom industry. We partnered with Sri Lanka Telecom to market CLI products. In 2001, we also introduced the "USP" pen drive and video capture card "SNAZI". Making our business more diversified in 2003 we got into the home entertainment product business and we also imported brands such as "Enzer" to Sri Lanka. Outlining the features of his products, he says that he is focussing on wireless LAN products through access point, Sinhala Keyboard and Digital Video Surveillance System. "I have designed the Sinhala keyboard with "Wincript" software. The keyboard also contains multimedia features and engraved laser printed phonetic letters. You can type Sinhala, English and even Tamil letters on this keyboard. The new surveillance system is digital based unlike other systems which run on analogue form," he said. He said that the illegal import of ICT peripherals is a threat to genuine businessmen who are trying to bring industrial growth. "I would like to emphasize the need for the correct ICT leadership to lobby for the further growth of the ICT industry in Sri Lanka. Countries such as Bangladesh and India have a very flexible tax structure to enhance their ICT sectors. But in Sri Lanka we have to incur 18.8% duty and 33% duty for a fax modem. We have an unhealthy tax structure to attract ICT investments and develop local industrialists," he said. "My vision is to innovate, design and develop and market new creative products thorough concerted research and development which would enhance the quality of one's lifestyle," he said. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
