State Minister of Technology, Kanaka Herath, took center stage at the 7th China-South Asia Expo and 27th China Kunming Fair, delivering a visionary address that outlined Sri Lanka’s transformative journey towards a digital future. Minister Herath’s speech resonated with a call for innovative collaborations and equitable digital growth.
In his speech, Minister Herath emphasized Sri Lanka’s commitment to embracing a comprehensive digital transformation through the “DIGIECON Sri Lanka 2030” initiative. He revealed that the ambitious 7-year plan, commencing this year, aimed to propel the nation towards an inclusive digital economy by harnessing advanced technology-based solutions.
“Digital Economy 2030” is spearheaded by the Ministry of Technology, with the endorsement of His Excellency President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The initiative aims to guide Sri Lanka’s various industry sectors using the Industry 5.0 framework to achieve their full potential, both domestically and in global markets, supported by a robust digital infrastructure.
As part of this year’s efforts under DIGIECON 2023, slated for October to November, Minister Herath unveiled plans for a digital economy master plan and regulatory policy framework. Additionally, the schedule includes 17+ national and international events aimed at fostering an environment for global investors, startups, and industry leaders to collaborate and innovate.
The State Minister also shed light on Sri Lanka’s drive to establish a Universal Digital Identity platform, streamline government payments, launch a digital NOMAD visa scheme, and introduce a single-window approval process for the ICT sector. He emphasized the importance of Government-to-Government (G2G) collaboration as a key pillar in Sri Lanka’s economic revival.
Minister Herath expressed his gratitude to China for its long-standing support in Sri Lanka’s infrastructure development and extended a warm invitation to the People’s Republic of China for active participation in the DIGIECON Sri Lanka 2030 journey through G2G and B2B collaborations.
Highlighting the broader regional context, Minister Herath noted that Asia’s digital landscape was both expansive and diverse, with the region at the forefront of digital innovation. He stressed the need to ensure that the benefits of digitization were shared inclusively, emphasizing the importance of initiatives like enhancing digital infrastructure, upgrading digital literacy, and facilitating financing for SMEs.
Minister Herath’s speech encapsulated the delicate balance between driving digital progress and managing potential risks, alluding to the need for robust policy responses. He underscored the necessity for global and regional collaborations, reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to supporting those who might be left behind as the nation accelerates its digital evolution.
Minister Herath’s visionary address at the expo and fair painted a promising picture of Sri Lanka’s digital future, one fueled by innovation, collaboration, and the aspiration for shared prosperity across the region.