Microsoft to Partner with Government in Sri Lanka’sTechnology Transformation

Microsoft Corporation assured the Government of Sri Lanka of its continued support to accomplish the country’s ICT (information and communications technology) plans and goals. Following up with the meeting between Prime Minister Hon. 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.

A joint media briefing wasorganized 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 Infrastructureto discuss the way forward for inclusion of ICT in Governmentin Sri Lanka.

In his message at the event, the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Hon. Minister Sagala Ratnayake, Minister of Law and Order stated, “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.

Speaking at the event, Brian Kealey, Microsoft Country Manager for Sri Lanka and 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. We look forward to work more with the government and help them to identify opportunities and develop solutions by sharing Microsoft’s global best practices and expertise working with governments the world over.”

After his recent visit to the Microsoft campus and subsequent discussions Hon. Minister Harin Fernando,Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure made this comment at the press event, “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.”

The combined efforts of The Government of Sri Lanka and Microsoftwill assist ICT development in the country, paving the way for the digital transformation of public sector institutions as well as private sector organizations.