Lanka abounds in 'Open Source' talent: ICTA CEO

Sri Lanka can become an Open Source software hub in Asia, ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), CEO Reshan Dewapura said at Tech Forum 2013 at the JAIC Hilton last week.

Reshan Dewapura

"The software product engineering niche of Sri Lanka can be fuelled by sectors such as Open Source software development. While we become globally recognised as a centre of excellence for Product Engineering, we could also be known as an Open Source software hub in Asia," he said.

The seventh Tech Forum was organised by the Sri Lanka Chapter - Sri Lanka Association for the Software Industry - of the Federation of Information Technology Industry of Sri Lanka (FITIS).

Dewapura outlined the benefits of Open Source software, barriers to it, steps for its adoption, challenges and opportunities. The forum was themed 'Open Source Tools and Technologies for Software Development'. He said, "The technology landscape is changing across the board. One of the significant changes or transformations is the increasing adoption of open source software."

"Enterprises, Governments and many other entities are getting more accustomed to and comfortable with open source software technology than before," he said.

"One out of the many accolades and recognition Sri Lanka has received in the ICT sector is for its vibrant and resourceful Open Source community. Many institutions and publications globally, have recognised our country as a place with resourceful and skilled Open Source talent," Dewapura said.

"On the scale of the skills and population ratio, and with the limited economic resources this is a significant achievement. It is a plus point that we can and should leverage for the growth of our IT and BPM industry.

"The IT-BPM workforce in the country is estimated to top 100,000 this year, and the industry is estimated to be approximately US$ 1.5 billion according to Gartner.

Ambitious but achievable targets have been set for the growth of this industry over the next two years, next five years and next 10 years.

To achieve these targets one of the core focus areas for us, in the IT space is Software Product Engineering. "If we look at the world around us, one thing clear today. "That is the continuous change that is taking place all around us. This is more obvious and more prominent than before, and something that everyone has come to accept.

"The growth of traditional technology and innovation of new technology, contributes in no small way to this continuous change," he said.