The Ministry of Economic Reform, Science and Technology (MERST) has commenced the formulation of the National Policy on Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

The National Policy is founded on a vision for ICT in Sri Lanka “to ensure that Sri Lanka is recognized as the leading ICT-enabled business sitting destination in South Asia by the year 2005, through the development of a state-of-the-art and country-wide Physical and Human ICT Infrastructure which would provide affordable access to local and global ICT related services/facilities to all citizens and businesses, thereby harnessing the Positive Dividends of a knowledge based economy towards the achievement of social and economic development.”

The National ICT Policy Framework and Development Plan applies parallel focus on four main dimensions:  Infrastructure Development; Establishment of Policy and Legal Framework;   Human Resources Development and Market and Industry Creation.

The National ICT Policy will be developed with coherence to the overall national development strategy of the government and development priorities therein.  The ICT policy will also be focused on the creation of synergies with efforts in the other key development spheres.  A Road Map for ICT success would also be articulated along with the formulation of the Policy and Action Plans, in accordance with the ICT policy.

Through these efforts it is aimed to take advantage of, and to be a key contender, in the rapidly expanding Global ICT market place.  Furthermore the policy will ensure the harnessing of dividends of ICT usage nationally, with a view to developing an enabling environment for the country to improve the quality of life of its citizens.

For purposes of finalizing the Policy Document, the detailed Action Plans and the Road Map by end June 2002, a Consultation Meeting open for Public Participation will be held on 13th June, 2002, at the JAIC Hilton, Colombo with the participation of the World Bank Mission and the Ministers of Economic Reform, Science and Technology and Mass Communication.

The ICT development plan is envisaged to be implemented through an Institutional Framework comprising of the following state sector entities:  CINTEC; SLIIT; ACCIMT;  TRCSL;  Universities of Sri Lanka and BOI/BII.

The functions and scope of some of these institutions would be re-engineered to meet the requirements of the Policy Framework.  The Government would also consider the creation of additional entities/resource centres to address the areas of Capital Intensive Infrastructure Development (e.g. National Backbone, Global Connectivity, etc.) and National IT Operations/Control.

The Policy Framework focuses on the parallel development of Physical Infrastructure (Global and Local Connectivity/Telecommunication);  ‘Soft’ Infrastructures (Internet Related Infrastructures such as Internet Data Centres, e-commerce infrastructures and Application Service Providers); and Support Infrastructures (R&D, Quality Assurance and Support Services).

The Government will elevate Large Scale ICT Infrastructure Developments to the status of ‘Large Scale’ Infrastructure Projects’ on Spar with roads, Highways and Air/Sea Ports thereby making ICT related facilities and Services available at the grass root level in addition to providing an Internationally Competitive infrastructure for attraction of inward investment in knowledge based industries.

In addition to the establishment of global and national connectivity through large scale improvements to telecommunications infrastructure, flagship infrastructure projects being conceptualized include:  multi-media distance- learning network aimed at broadbasing university and tertiary education; establishment of a hi-tech Multi-Media university and creation of a network of internet Centres across the island providing easy access to the internet at grass roots level.

The policy framework cites the development of a sound policy and legal framework aimed at guiding the industry going forward as a critical factor for success.  It is recognized that the establishment of a policy-making body is the first step in establishing an environment conducive to ICT development.  The policy making body will be constituted on a two-tier format.  The top tier will be a national body, consisting of respected professionals in technology, business and government.  The second tier will be a consultative group representing industry, government and other institutions relevant to the ICT industry.

The Government will ensure that there is a conducive and competitive environment for all players engaged in information and communication related activity in Sri Lanka, so as to benefit the users of these services.

The introduction of Fiscal and other targeted Incentives for ICT development would be introduced as a part of a broader programme to establish an Economic Environment conducive to ICT development.

The Government will also adopt a private-public partnership modality for the creation and development of the ICT sector, given the constraints on fiscal resources with  the objective of providing real returns to businesses engaging in (often capital intensive) ICT businesses.  The Government will also take steps to mitigate the perceived risks associated with ICT based investments on the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s economic climate.

The establishment and enactment of legal reforms related to ICT is recognized as an immediate and fundamental requirement for the functioning of the emerging knowledge economy. The enactment of the related legal instruments are in the final stages of implementation. The work programme in this area includes:  enactment of legislation to facilitate all forms of electronic commercial transactions (within 2002) and the Introduction of legislation and formulation of voluntary guidelines to fulfil the requirements imposed by the European community data protection directive (by Mid 2003) and enactment of legislation on information technology crime to deter the misuse of IT related products and services (July 2002) and the enhancement of existing legislation on intellectual property for the protection of intellectual creativity (Mid 2003).

The factors that will be given priority consideration in this sphere include: human resource development initiatives to commence at school level – the first of such initiatives the “100 schools automation programme” will commence shortly as a pilot project under the purview of the MERST; ICT would be introduced into the curriculum of all entry level professional and technical courses; national examination would be introduced/recognized at all  technical levels and training institutions and course will be granted accreditation: Centres of Excellence will be identified and/or established to give leadership to and assist in strategy to produce adequate numbers of highly qualified and experienced ICT personnel in both academic and industrial institutions and hi-tech education through the establishment of a multi-media university curriculum as well as the utilization of state of the art distance/virtual learning infrastructure.

“Ahead of Demand” investment in infrastructure is recognized as a crucial ingredient for an accelerated development of the ICT sector in Sri Lanka and as such it is recommended that the onus of short term market seeding is carried out by the state sector.  The Multi-Media super Corridor (MSC) model in Malaysia will be emulated as applicable to set up an intermediate “market creator” which acts as a demand buffer between the infrastructure providers and the market in the short term. 

The government will lead by example through the adoption of country wide e-government systems.  Key state-sector ICT projects that have the potential to become showcases for Sri Lankan capabilities will be identified and implemented.  Internationally recognized standards will be encouraged among ICT suppliers to the government thereby setting nationwide quality assurance standards.  International Marketing of Sri Lanka as an ICT destination will ensure that the ICT sector gains credibility in the international market place. 

On going efforts of the MERST in formulation of the National ICT Policy and Action Plans are being supported by two major international donor agencies – the World Bank and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).  These programs are coordinated through a Steering Committee and Working Groups comprised of Public and Private Sector representation.

The coverage of policy elements in the Swedish assistance program and the World Bank activities will be harmonized and drawn up in a manner that would enable the Ministry to negotiate and obtain assistance from donor agencies and through bilateral cooperation in specific areas for well planned development activities.  The Government through the MERST will accordingly play a lead role in the initiation of key infrastructure development projects and will actively seek international and donor cooperation at technical assistance as well as project-funding levels.

Discussions will be held in Colombo between representative delegations from Malaysian participating institutions and parallels in Sri Lanka as precursor to ministerial talks in
August 2002.  The Ministerial review and strategic discussion will be held in August 2002 in Colombo.

The Council for Information Technology (CINTEC) and the Arthur C. Clarke Centre for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT) are assisting the Ministry of Economic Reform, Science and Technology in all above activities. (YP)