Microsoft supports Lanka’s technology transformation

Digital transformation of public sector:

Microsoft Corpor- ation assured the government of its continued support to accomplish the country’s ICT (infor- mation and commu- nications technology) plans and goals.

Following up with the meeting between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Microsoft International President Jean-Philippe Courtois in Davos in January, the tech corporation reiterated its commitment to facilitate Sri Lanka’s journey towards a sustainable digital transformation.

The combined efforts of the government and Microsoft will assist ICT development in the country, paving the way for the digital transformation of public sector institutions as well as private sector organisations.

A joint media briefing was organized themed ‘Transforming to a Digital Government’ at the BMICH to showcase how Sri Lanka can utilize the latest ICT technologies to ensure that Government can step into the digital age. The event, hosted under the patronage of the office of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, saw Microsoft Sri Lanka joining with the Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure to discuss the way forward for inclusion of ICT in Government in Sri Lanka.

In his message at the event, the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff and Minister of Law and Order, Sagala Ratnayaka said, “Sri Lanka is on the cusp of a major social and economic transformation. “We need to ensure that the right skills and resources are available across the public and private sectors and IT will be a key component in this push. The government must work with international institutions such as Microsoft to level the playing field and give us an equal opportunity to compete effectively in the global market.”

Microsoft will continue its longstanding partnership with the government in assisting the public sector to grasp the full potential of future-driven technology components such as Internet of Things (IoT), big data and cloud computing. The government is positively looking at empowering key public sectors including education, healthcare, urban development and finance with the use of technology.

Brian Kealey, Microsoft Country Manager for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, said Microsoft is quite confident that Sri Lanka will see a smooth digital transformation and benefit from the merits of it through timely adoptions and proper monitoring of novel technologies.

After his recent visit to the Microsoft campus and subsequent discussions Minister Harin Fernando, Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure said Sri Lanka is well and truly on the correct path with regards to becoming a technology hub in the region. Over the decades, Sri Lanka has been recognized as a first-time technology adapting nation in the whole South Asian region. The rise of technologies like IoT and cloud computing is going to completely change the way how countries focus on developing ICT strategies. With focused vision and support coming from a global technology giant like Microsoft we will be able to pave the path to innovate more and reap the benefits of a well-executed digital economic model.”