Computer ownership and internet access double in Sri Lanka

• 8.2 percent of households owned a personal computer in 2006/2007, more than double the 3.8 percent recorded in 2004

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama   
Sri Lanka has recorded significant progress in computer ownership and internet access, according to a national study on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage,   
although major disparities remain between urban and rural communities.  
The survey found that 8.2 percent of households owned a personal computer in 2006/2007, more than double the 3.8 percent recorded in 2004.   
The Western Province led the country with 16.4 percent of households having computers, while the North Central and Uva provinces lagged behind at just 2.7 percent each.  
Computer ownership was highest in urban areas, where 17.8 percent of households had a computer, compared to 6.9 percent in rural areas and only 1.1 percent in estate sector households. Laptop computers remained rare, being available in just 0.9 percent of households nationwide, with the highest concentration in Colombo District.  
Internet access also expanded rapidly, rising from 0.7 percent of households in 2004 to 2.4 percent in 2006/2007.