ICTA to increase Government web presence

THE Government Internet Data Center (GIDC) has been set up by Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) to host all the public sector websites.

ICTA, which is functioning under the office of the President, has taken an initiative to assist government organisations to develop their official websites and host those sites in a secure, modern data centre.

This is another step in the direction of providing government information and services to citizens over the cost-effective communication channels.

Currently, in Sri Lanka, a considerable number of public organisations have been using the internet in dissemination of information to citizens.

However, still very few public organizations deliver web-enabled services, which are limited to providing information and downloading forms.

Moreover the most of the websites of public sector organisations contain obsolete and useless information since those websites are not regularly updated and maintained.

The main objective of the project is to encourage public organisations in dissemination of information and delivery of services through Internet by providing financial and technical assistance to construct their websites and by providing web hosting facilities.

All new sites will be equipped with the content management support tools to provide convenient means of updating the websites by owners. Furthermore all websites will provide information in all three languages.

"We are planning to complete 100 websites at the end of this year and hosting facility will be available from this week. The services are free for the public organisations," Programme Director of ICTA Wasantha Deshapriya said.