Computer manufacturing plant in Sooriyawewa soon

The EWIS PC manufacturing plant will offer ICT jobs in Sooriyawewa, Hambantota. Letters of appointment were presented to 50 youth by Namal Rajapaksa MP recently.

MP Namal Rajapaksa presents an appointment letter to a youth.

MP Rajapaksa outlined the country's ICT vision for 2015 wherein the government aims at growing the IT literacy rate from 35% in 2012 to 75% and increase broadband access from 12% in 2012 to 60% by 2015.

Through this the government intends to create 80,000 knowledge based jobs and boost ICT based exports from $ 40 million to $ 1 billion by 2015.

"The government is working closely with the private sector towards realising the goal of turning Sri Lanka into a regional IT hub. This PC manufacturing plant being setup by EWIS takes us closer to realising our goal," said Rajapaksa.

"Bringing ICT jobs to areas outside Colombo, the factory will open new opportunities for the youth of Hambantota. Partnering with technological giants such as Intel, EWIS's project will also help bring in world-class technology and manufacturing practices to the country," he said.

Chairman and CEO of the EWIS Group, Sanjeewa Wickramanayake said, "Encouraged by the Government's commitment to drive economic development and education across the country through ICT and the market's growth potential, we decided to setup this manufacturing facility."

"We have always worked closely with our partners such as Intel to provide the most relevant technology solutions. Given the size and nature of this project, Intel's global expertise and know-how will help us to achieve success," he said. The 25,000 square foot facility spread over a three-acre property in Sooriyawewa will come under EWIS Colombo Limited - a BOI company set up for this purpose," he said.

"Providing direct employment to over 250 locals, the plant would manufacture a wide range of computing devices including tablets, notebooks, convertibles, all-in-ones and conventional desktops," a company spokesman said.

"EWIS being a member of the Intel Education Alliance, a global effort across 70 countries with over 500 education partners, will initially manufacture products from the Intel Education Solutions product suite such as the Intel Classmate PC. These products are purpose built to meet the needs of students in emerging economies," he said.

"Around the world, Intel makes every effort to provide its partners with the right products and skills to help them provide customers appropriate solutions.

Having worked with EWIS for over 10 years, we are glad to offer our technical assistance to the new manufacturing plant. Such local manufacturing units have immense potential and we look forward to working with EWIS on this venture." said, Country Business Manager, Intel EM Limited, Indika de Zoysa.