Govt. creates new Technology Ministry

• Digitization is scope of subject   
• SLSI held by Bandula G. placed under new ministry   
• TRCSL, SLT, SLIIT, SL-CERT and DRP also in it   

By Kelum Bandara   

The presidential secretariat has announced the creation of a new ministry outlining the digitization of governance in coordination with the relevant sectors as its scope of subject.    

However, it is not yet clear who will be appointed to handle the new ministry. According to the gazette notification issued by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry has been assigned to expand digitization of governance by coordinating sectors such as education, health, social welfare, information technology and public service.   
The Presidential Secretariat has also detailed out the institutions and the specific tasks coming under the purview of the Technology Ministry.   

Ten institutions have been brought under its purview. Among them is Sri Lanka Standard Institution which was formerly held by Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardana.   

The others are Sri Lanka Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team, Sri Lanka Telecom, Industry Technology Institution, Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, National Science and Technology Commission, all the information technology parks and the Department Registration of Persons.   

The Ministry is tasked with seven duties according to the gazette notification. The expansion of digital governance is foremost among them. The establishment of international electronic transaction systems and facilitation of them and promotion of investment in areas such as techno parks are also among duties entrusted with it.   
The Presidential Secretariat has issued this gazette notification as an amendment to the Gazette Extra Ordinary No. 2187/27 of 09.08.2020 which outlines duties and functions of the ministries.   

• The Ministry is tasked with seven duties according to the gazette notification
• The Presidential Secretariat has also detailed out the institutions and the specific tasks coming under the purview of the Ministry