Sinhala, Tamil script to replace internet domain 'LK'

ICANN approves Lanka's request:

Soon it will be possible to replace the top level internet domain 'LK' by lanka or ilangai respectively in Sinhala or Tamil script in the Sinhala/ Tamil website addresses.

This is because the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has approved Sri Lanka's request for the top level domains.

The approval was granted last Tuesday (23). Thus, for example, the Sinhala/Tamil website address for the website of Sri Lanka parliament will be web.parlimentuwa.lanka (accurately typed in Sinhala script) / talam.paaraalumandram.ilankai (accurately typed in Tamil script).

Emphasising the urgency of developing the facility for using the local script in website addresses ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) COO Reshan Dewapura said 'It was imperative that the subject of Internationalised Domain Names (IDNs) is addressed as soon as possible.

This subject was being addressed in the international arena and it was necessary for Sri Lanka to define the equivalent of Sri Lanka's top level domain. LK in Sinhala and Tamil. ICTA Program Director / Legal Advisor Jayantha Fernando said this facility will go a long way in making Sri Lankans, especially the rural folk, move speedily towards the ideals of world fellowship and global village'.

Referring to the practical application aspects of the facility, LK Domain Registry Head, Prof. Gihan Dias said "Although the process will take a few more weeks, these domains will soon be operational. One can type web.rajaya.lanka, (accurately typed in Sinhala script) to go to the Government website".

The Program Manager in charge of this area at the ICT Agency, said "localization and adapting the computing environment to Sri Lanka's needs, has been going on for sometime, at present spearheaded by ICTA, and before that by CINTEC, in partnership with many stakeholders such as the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC), the University of Moratuwa, the Department of Official Languages and the private sector.