GIC receives over four million calls in five years

A special ceremony was held at Temple Trees yesterday to mark the 5th anniversary of Government Information Centre (1919) established by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on August 24, 2006.

Speaking at the 5th anniversary of Government Information Centre (GIC), Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga said that the information centre has received over four million telephone calls for the past five years. He said that many departments, such as, Department of Motor Traffic, Department of Emigration and Immigration provides a more efficient service to the public due to the Government Information Department.

He said a number of foreign countries inquired about the Government Information Centre and they were impressed by the services available to the public at this centre.

Information Technology Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said that the government aims to increase the number of those employed in the IT sector by 200,000 by 2016 . He said plans are under way to increase the IT literacy rate to 75 percent.

Minister Siyambalapitiya and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga recognized the government institutions by presenting awards.

The Police Department, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Department of Railways, Labour Department and Solicitor General's Department were among the government institutions which were recognized at this ceremony.