Homagama Technology City initiates fourth industrial revolution
Sri Lanka is now leapfrogging from conventional phases of development into the fourth industrial revolution phase with the Homagama Technology City project being implemented making use of emerging science and technology to serve citizens, society and the public at large.
Time is opportune for the country to enter into the fourth industrial revolution phase which incorporates a wide spectrum of technological advances across the value-chain, Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patalee Champika Ranawake told the Business Times.
With the introduction of smart technologies in local factories and workplaces, connected machines will interact, visualise the entire production chain and make decisions in parallel, he pointed out.
The Homagama Tech City being built on 450 acres will promote artificial intelligence, distributed computing, robotics, genetics, Internet of things, nanotech, 3d printing, and bio-engineering, he said.
The total investment of the project will be in the region of Rs.19.3 billion or US$ 130 million, Minister Ranawake added.
He expressed the belief that these industry 4.0 technologies will be revolutionising the traditional manufacturing process helping solve diverse challenges locally and globally.
The Arthur C. Clarke Centre now at Moratuwa will be shifted to a 120-acre land in Horgollawatte in Homagama.
Technology faculties of Colombo, Moratuwa and Sri Jayawardenapura, Nano technology institute, the Department of Measurement Units, Standards and Services and a Research and Development Institute will be established at the Tech City.
Knowledge Services sector which encompasses IT software development, Knowledge Process Outsourcing/Business Process Outsourcing industry, Nano technology, bio technology, Geographic Information Systems and Data Centres, has tremendous potential to emerge as key growth sectors in Sri Lanka, he added. Sri Lanka will be branded as a fast emerging South Asian Knowledge Services Hub for selected niche areas, making critical infrastructure such as electricity cost competitive, providing attractive tax concessions.
Measures will be taken to encourage the development of infrastructure such as IT parks that will promote software companies are some of the progressive steps that may be needed to ensure the rapid development of the sector.
‘There are several other important ICT areas such as Datafication, Big data analysis, and Financial Portfolio analysis that deserve our special attention. Sri Lankan companies may take advantage of this trend either undertaking outsourced jobs or entering into joint ventures with the well-established organisations,” Minister Ranawake said.
This Technology City comprises mainly the knowledge services and research based education and training. Special infrastructure required for such services is expected to be provided throughout this zone.