'Nenasara' mobile library to disseminate IT knowledge

The 'Nenasara' mobile library for digital content project is an important project implemented under the 'e-Sri Lanka' initiative for supplementing the information technology knowledge of rural people.

Information technology software, applications and content have been created to fulfil the various community needs under the e-Society development program which is an important component of the 'e-Sri Lanka' initiative. Motivating the people further to use these information technology applications and content that would lead to an economic, social and cultural resurgence of the rural community and various professionals is another aim of this project.

A project was launched by the Nenasala and Weligama fisherfolk to find out, through satellite technology, areas where fish is concentrated and disseminate this information to the the fishing community through SMS.

The IT program launched by the 'People's Development Foundation' for the promotion of jaggery palm products and provision of daily market information to the Galewela farming community through SMS are some of the examples of these creations.

Similarly, taking participatory development programs several steps forward, content, software and applications that can be used by every Sri Lankan have been developed.

e-mail and e-brail conversion for the vision-impaired community, 'Vidunena' or 'Science Knowledge' for GCE Advanced Level students of science subjects, 'Happy Life' which provides confidential family health advice free to the public through qualified doctors and the 'Goviya' and 'Nava Goviya' which provide technical knowledge to the farming community are successful projects under this fund.

The aim of the mobile digital content library is to distribute these important IT software, applications and content by visiting the rural areas.

While distributing software, applications and content free to persons who require them, the project officers who visit the villages will also take steps to provide free basic training to the community on using these aids.

A sum of seven million rupees has been spent on this project.

The 'Nenasara' Mobile Digital Content Library covers all 25 districts in the island. This mobile library for digital content includes IT content, software and applications pertaining to various topics and 210 subjects.