'Nenasala' operator wins Global Award in Spain

A rural 'Nenasala' operator from Sri Lanka, bagged the best tele-centre manager award at the recently concluded Global Telecenter Awards in Spain. Owner / Manager of ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) - initiated Suriyawewa Nenasala in Hambantota, Deepika Priyadharshanee won this prestigious award beating 60 tele-centre operators around the world.

Deepika marked her latest first when she won the award as the best telecentre manager at the Global Telecentre Awards (GTA) held in Granda, Spain on Tuesday (29). Organised by Telecentre.org Foundation (TCF) and co-presented by the National Information Society Agency of Korea (NIA) and Microsoft Corporation, as a cynosure of 'The Spark 13 conference,' the ceremony put a spotlight on nine winners.

"At a time when women entrepreneurs are much in demand for playing a substantial role in world development, especially among developing countries, Deepika Priyadarshani has set a valuable example," ICTA Chairman Prof P W Epasinghe says.

"The Nenasalas (wisdom outlets), the yields of a brainchild of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, set the turning point in making the benefits of ICT reach a wider spectrum of people. The award that Deepika won proves that Sri Lankans are capable of great things, given proper guidance, as has been provided by ICTA under e-Sri Lanka," the ICTA Chairman added.

Among the overwhelming responses received for GTA 2013 under its six categories, the Telecentre Manager category had received the highest number of entries. This was over 60. Deepika was awarded the Best Telecentre Manager award. This was in recognition of her contribution in delivering the benefits of ICTs to the community in Sooriyawewa and enhancing the quality of life of the people of her village. The award was presented by Managing Director, Telecentre.org Foundation Miguel Raimilla.