Govt launches eServices project

Indunil HEWAGE

In a bid to further increase the efficiency and people friendliness of Public Service, the government in collaboration with the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) launched the much awaited Government eServices project with the implementation of 22 important government services of 10 selected institutions.

Lalith Weeratunga

People will now have the opportunity to obtain important public services from Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, Department of Examinations, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Sri Lankan Bureau of Foreign Employment, Sri Lanka Railways, Sri Lanka Tea Board, Merchant Shipping Division, Department of Labour, Department of Government Factory and the Department of Motor Traffic via online or mobile through the Government eServices initiative.

Government eServices project will make it possible for several essential services in daily life of general public to be carried out instantly and easily.

Obtaining examination certificates, obtaining information about vehicle registrations, paying water bills, carrying out duties relevant to foreign services, obtaining information about Employees’ Provident Fund and FPF account balance and ascertaining tea prices instantly could be obtained by visiting the www.srilanka.lk website.

All the services are available in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages. Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga speaking at the Government eServices project launching ceremony said that ICT is a catalytic movement force in Sri Lanka’s development and the eServices project will immensely contribute to enhance the quality of life of the people through the use of ICT.

The ICT Industry has matured and improved during the last couple of years and currently, the usage of fixed lines and mobile phones in Sri Lanka exceeds 20 million while computer literacy of the country stands at over 40 % in 2012 from 5 % in 2004. According to ICTA sources, today Sri Lanka is gaining global recognition as a centre for delivering IT as well as an emerging knowledge services industry. Today, more than 300 IT and Business Process Outsourcing companies operate in Sri Lanka serviced by a workforce of over 60,000 and generates US $ 400 million in exports. It is expected to achieve US $ 1 billion revenue by 2016.

In addition, a 250 acre information Technology Park in the South, in Suriyawewa, Hambantota will be opened in another four to five years time and this project will provide employment opportunities for an ICT sector workforce of nearly 100,000.