Lanka’s target - 500,000 Java programmers in 10 years
Anjana SAMARASINGHE
Sri Lanka will produce 500,000 Java programmers within ten years to
strengthen the knowledge-based economy in the country.
President, Chamber of Chartered Java Professionals Dr. Ishantha
Siribaddana said there are 5,000 Java programmers in the country and
they are targeting 500,000 Java programmers within ten years.

Dr. Ishantha Siribaddana.
Picture by Saliya Rupasinghe |
He said, “Today, Sri Lankan youth depend on traditional jobs and we
have a labour-based economy. In Sri Lanka a large number of A/L students
are unable to qualify for university entrance.
The open source Java technology is the most powerful advance and
widely used technology which is used for high tech innovation such as
e-Commerce, m-Commerce, electronics, robotics automation, space and
aircraft technology. Java technology will help these students to
contribute immensely to the national economy.
Unfortunately students from the middle class and lower middle class
are not aware of this career path, which could develop themselves as
highly qualified professionals in the ICT industry without entering the
universities, he said.
There is a big demand for Java programmers in the international arena
and these programmers could earn Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000 per month.
However, we need to develop these Java programmers as individual
professionals who could work independently at their residences, he said.
With the development of the technology and rapid infrastructure
development in the country we are confident that we could produced Java
professionals around the country, he said.
Adopting advanced technology will improve productivity and the
profitability of any business.
The local business community does not adopt the latest technologies
for their day to day operations due to the high cost. Local programmers
have the capabilities to develop software according to the needs of the
local business community, he said.
The Java Sri Lanka 2009 - National Computer Software Education and
Trade Exhibition will be the ideal platform to promote Java technology
as a career path and exploit the talents of local Java programmers.
The exhibition commences today at the BMICH and the local business
community has an opportunity to purchase high quality software develop
by the local java programmers at low prices. The exhibition will
conclude on Sunday.
Minister of Mass Media Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said the government
allocates a considerable amount of funds through the budget for the
development of ICT.
The government will allocate more funds in the future and it is
important that the private and public sector come together to develop
this sector. |