President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced a new initiative to advance Sri Lanka’s digital transformation, including plans to appoint a private-sector expert to lead the effort.
While the expert’s identity has not been disclosed, it is believed the individual is a former CEO of a leading telecommunications company in Sri Lanka.
“We can no longer move forward with outdated systems,” Dissanayake said, adding “Whether it is buying a bus ticket, standing in line at the post office, or obtaining birth and death certificates, these processes are archaic. We need to bring efficiency into these systems.”
The President said that a key priority of this initiative would be enabling citizens to complete tasks like paying taxes from their homes through digital means. To oversee this transition, the expert will assume leadership roles in the forthcoming Digital Ministry, once established, and serve as Chairman of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA).
“An experienced expert is ready to dedicate his efforts to digitalising Sri Lanka voluntarily. He is expected to assume his duties within the next one to two weeks,” Dissanayake said, adding that the new ministry, once formed, would play a key role in implementing the changes. He further outlined a vision to enhance state efficiency over the next three to four years.
Addressing potential criticism, the President said, “Some may hope that we will stumble within a couple of months, but the National People’s Power (NPP) government is committed to building this nation. We will not deviate from this journey.” (NewsWire)
