PM says determined to raise computer literacy

BY ROHAN Mathes

PRIME MINISTER Mahinda Rajapakse expressed confidence in enhancing the present dismally poor 'Computer Literacy' rate to be on par with the high literacy rate, via his islandwide 'Nenesela' program.

Speaking at a function at Temple Trees, to mark the inauguration of the hundredth "Nenesela" at Madukanda Sri Dalada Raja Maha Viharaya in Vavuniya yesterday, the Premier pointed out that although our literacy rate was around 92 per cent, the computer literacy rate was only around 10 per cent, and that too limited to a privileged few in the Western province.

This situation must change via the islandwide 'Nenesela' 'e-library' program, he said, vowing to provide access to computers and consolidate IT knowledge, especially in rural Sri Lanka.

Rajapakse said that by the e-library programme, they were taking the computer to the rural child who was deprived of access to a computer, as all this sophistication was confined to the city only.

"To-date, we have inaugurated 100 'Nenesela' centres islandwide and anticipate opening 1,000 centres within the next three years, with a view to having at least three centres in each District Secretarial division," he said.

The 'Neneselas' will have a direct impact on uplifting the rural economy, as it will provide vital information in marketing their products to local as well as international markets. It will also provide other relevant information such as crop related diseases, symptoms and remedies, among others.

Furthermore, they will ease the bureaucracy in government offices, by creating a virtually paperless work procedure and help to eliminate the long delays and red-tape.

It will also increase efficiency and transparency in the discharge of duties in the state sector.

"Appreciating our efforts, the World Bank has pledged to provide funds for our venture," Rajapakse added.