Well-defined road map and adequate funding must for digital transformation

Ranil Wickremesinghe

•  Highlights need for foreign investments to speed up efforts
• Stresses need for favourable laws and regulations to assist digital transformation
• Encourages collaborative efforts between private and govt. sector to foster IT human capital 

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed on the need for a well-defined road map and adequate funding to materialise the aspired digital transformation. 
To speed up efforts, he highlighted the necessity for foreign investments, which is essential, given the rapid pace of technological advancements across the world.
Speaking at National ICT Awards NBQSA 2023, Wickremesinghe also outlined a comprehensive vision for Sri Lanka’s digital future, centred on competitiveness, green transformation and digital transformation. 
He acknowledged that this journey is not devoid of challenges and necessitates not only favourable laws and regulations but also substantial investment in digital infrastructure and human capital development.
“In building a highly competitive and contemporary economy, I’ve highlighted two additional crucial components. First is the promotion of a green economy, leveraging our renewable energy resources and embracing the global trend towards sustainability, recognising the on-going global green transformation,” he said.
Wickremesinghe shared that in the upcoming budget speech scheduled for next month, the initial phases of the reinvigorated economic vision would be delineated. Simultaneously, the government will introduce legislation to facilitate this transition. 
He went on to encouraged collaborative efforts between the private sector and government to foster IT human capital across all levels, from postgraduates to skilled workers, recognising that government initiatives alone may prove inadequate.
Wickremesinghe also called on the ICT industry to accept the challenge, drawing parallels with the transformative journey undertaken by the apparel industry in the past.

 He expressed optimism regarding the industry’s potential and underscored the urgency of advancing Sri Lanka’s progression towards a digital future.
Meanwhile, reflecting on his earlier efforts as the Education Minister to introduce IT in Sri Lanka, Wickremesinghe acknowledged the missed opportunities and economic setbacks, resulting from underutilising the global IT wave. However, he underlined that it is time to move beyond past failures, with the present representing Sri Lanka’s final opportunity to partake in the digital revolution.