IT boom in Lanka, says Dy Speaker

Sandasen MARASINGHE

The government plans to increase information technology service related exports to US $ 2 billion by 2013. This is a massive development in the IT field since 2005, Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody said.

He said the income from IT service related exports in 2008 was US $ 256 million and it could increase to US $ 271 million.

The Deputy Speaker said around 300 institutions operate in Sri Lanka which deals with IT service businesses.

He said foreign exchange flow from businesses of these institutions have gradually increased after the elimination of terrorism.

Deputy Speaker Weerakkody made these observations as Chief Guest at the 30th National Information Technology Conference in Colombo. Deputy Speaker Weerakkody said a tremendous development has taken place in the field of IT in Sri Lanka since 2005.

Weerakkody said when President Mahinda Rajapaksa took over the government in 2005, computer literacy was five percent but it increased to 40 percent today.

He said the government expects to increase computer literacy to 75 percent by 2016.

Weerakkody said 700 Nanasala centres have been set up at village level to educate youths on IT.

He said the government’s objective is to recruit 1,000 information technology teachers.