First overseas 'Nenasala' launched in Abu Dhabi

The first 'Nenasala' - wisdom outlet was set up in the United Arab Emirates(UAE) recently.

The ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) said that this Nenasala was set up at the UAE embassy in Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi.

A spokesman for ICTA said that this wisdom outlet was set up for the benefit of Sri Lankans in the UAE.

It enables them to communicate with relatives in Sri Lanka with greater ease and at minimum cost. Run by the staff and volunteers at the embassy 'Nenasala' pays special attention on imparting free training to expatriates to improve IT and English language skills.

According to embassy sources the number of Sri Lankans in the the UAE is more than 300,000. About 45 per +cent of them have white-collar jobs and the rest are employed in middle and lower-rung jobs.

Currently there are 665 'Nenasalas' under the project that implements the 1000 Nenasala concept of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The goal of the project is to take the computer to the village and make the benefits of ICT reach every citizen. Modern ICT facilities are available at these 'Nenasalas'.

The project is implemented by ICTA. A 'Nenasala' outlet or 'wisdom outlet' and is a centre providing multiple Information Communication Technology (ICT) based services to the community. It acts as a hub of local, national and global information resources that has a catalytic effect on rural communities in poverty reduction, social and economic development and peace building.