|
||||
New
laws to curb computer dumping "We have no proper places to dispose hazardous wastes. Therefore, we must stop them at the border," said Manel Jayamanne, Director General of the CEA on the implementation of these regulations that are nearing completion by the Legal Draftsman's Department. Ms. Jayamanne said the improper disposal of these toxic wastes causes pollution of groundwater and leads to diseases such as cancer and other health problems. Computers and other electronic products contain a number of toxic elements which are harmful to health. These include lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, plastics and flame retardant materials. Currently the country does not have the means to scientifically dispose of these items. The CEA head explained that new computers have a longer life span as opposed to the used items that are being imported. The used items are imported on the pretext of providing cost benefits to poor countries whereas in reality they have passed their intended lifetime. Due to the growing demand for IT and other services, demand for used computers has grown. According to a leading PC marketer around 60,000 to 70,000 used computers - which are around five to six years - are being imported into the country annually. Once gazetted, the regulations will enable the Customs to stop entry of these goods and to seize them. However, the regulations do not include penalties. The regulations, besides including a schedule of a number of items that are being categorized as toxic wastes, will also cover improper disposal of medicinal, and other wastes from places like hospitals. Meanwhile, some leading used computer importers recently advertised the setting up of an association under the title "Association of Affordable Computer Importers" and called upon all importers engaged in such business to join the association. World
Bank approves IT credit to Sri Lanka "It supports the three key aims of our country strategy: it underpins peace by connecting the North and the South; it enhances the prospects for growth, not only in the IT sector itself, but also by raising productivity growth in other sectors; and it advances the cause of equity, by improving the access of the poor to a range of public services." According to a statement from the bank, the e-Sri Lanka Development Project adopts a comprehensive approach that aims to bridge the digital divide, bringing the benefits of the global knowledge economy to both the urban centres and rural poor of Sri Lanka. ICT diffusion across the country will be the enabler for development throughout the key sectors of the economy. The ICT Agency is the apex body assigned the responsibility to shape this shared vision and bring to fruition. The proposed project would be implemented over a period of five years commencing from November 2004. LIRNE
Asia to create regional policy and regulatory The network known as LIRNE Asia will function as a virtual organization with Sri Lanka as its base. LIRNE Asia is a non-profit affiliate of LIRNE.NET (Learning Initiatives on Reforms for Network Economies), which is a collaboration among leading universities in Denmark, the Netherlands, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Its network includes experts such as Michael Spence, 2001 Nobel Laureate in Economics, Dr. Suman Bery, Director of the National Council of Applied Economics Research, New Delhi, Shahid Akhtar, head of the Asia-Pacific Development Information Program of the UNDP, and Ms. Nazneen Sultana, Managing Director of Grameen Communications, Bangladesh. The launch was organized in conjunction with the World Dialogue on Regulation Expert Forum held under the theme "Stimulating investment in network development: Roles for regulators." The forum included in-depth discussions of country case studies on India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and South Africa. The objective of LIRNE Asia is the expansion of opportunities for people to use these technologies in ways that will improve their lives and for entrepreneurs and innovators to introduce new products and services with a minimum of government interference. The network will work on applied research, documenting and disseminating regional best practices, and providing training and short-term advisory assistance to the government upon request. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message on the launch said, "Throughout developing Asia, there is enormous unmet demand for telephones, for computers, for Internet services. We must get the lowest-cost technologies in place. We know that the barriers to their use are not only technological. In many cases, the barriers are in the mind. Innovative thinking is needed on the part of government to create the legal and regulatory environment necessary for innovative use of the new technologies…And civil society must play a creative role in getting all parties to work together for the benefit of the people." LIRNE.NET was started as a university based organization to meet the demands for applied research and training supportive of ICT sector reforms, had identified Sri Lanka as the base for its Asian activities, after Rohan Samarajiva, one of its founders, relocated here from the Netherlands in 2002. LIRNEasia's work in 2004-05 will also be supported by infoDev, a World Bank unit that has partnered with LIRNE.NET since 2001 in the World Dialogue on Regulation for Network Economies (www.regulateonline.org). ICTA
to connect migrant workers The ICTA last week, on behalf of the SLFEB, called for Expressions of Interest to perform Systems Study and Business Process Re-engineering Study of the workings of the bureau and recommend a detailed implementation plan. "Foreign employment is the No. 1 foreign exchange earner for the country. Therefore, its importance cannot be overlooked. Annually about 200,000 Sri Lankans migrate to work overseas. Due to the lack of information and insufficient systems these employees suffer at the hands of agencies," explained Wasantha Deshapriya of the ICTA on the need for the study. Titled the e-Foreign Employment Project, the project will interface all prospective, existing and returned migrant workers, local and overseas employment agencies, and the SLFEB. The objective of the proposed system would be to promote employment opportunities outside the country and to enable both migrant workers and agencies to register with the SLFEB electronically for support. Currently the agency has identified the lack of a system to post overseas job opportunities and attract potential employees. It is envisaged that the system once implemented will allow foreign agencies to link with local agencies and find suitable matches. Upon selection of consultants to carry out the study the ICTA estimates a period of two and a half years for the realization of a tangible system. The ideal system would enable migrant workers to request for welfare support and lodge complaints regarding work conditions, and agencies to apply for licenses and network with foreign agencies. Yet another stakeholder to be included into the network would be the Sri Lankan foreign missions which would enable the missions to keep track of Sri Lankan migrant workers employed in their respective places of work. New
interactive software from BizNas The BizNas Web package comes in the categories of Classic, Super and Master. All of them have the downloadable interactive Microsoft (MS) courses, value added portals, but the web space, email MB space differ according to each category. Computer has become an indispensable utility item almost in every field such as agriculture, education, science and research that are close to human existence. The present sophisticated communications would not have been possible in the current consumer friendly modes, if not for the computer technology. Its scope is ever widening to working methods of industries and enterprises, businesses, daily life and online bookings as hotels, airlines and doctors etc, a company statement said. Biznas.com introduces useful products to the world. Its web pack has incorporated in it, the Computer fundamentals, and MC courses comprising MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point, MS Access, MS Outlook. Windows XP and Internet, Explorer among a number of other valuable features. |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
