Gates expresses support for Sri Lanka’s IT initiatives

ICT global leader Bill Gates has expressed his support towards Sri Lanka’s ‘Year of IT’ plan for 2009 during a recent leadership conference held in Indonesia, according to an official communiqué. Gates had also made recommendations to the Sri Lankan delegation on ways of reducing Internet access costs, which he felt ‘was a prime factor in regard to a population’s progression in being Internet savvy; and further increasing broadband penetration in Sri Lanka.’ The Microsoft Corporation chairman was also extended an invitation to visit Sri Lanka.

The communiqué from Microsoft said the Government Leaders Forum (GLF) provided an opportune moment for leaders in the Asia Pacific Region to come together, in an exchange of views relating to administrative governance, education, healthcare and sustainable economic growth.

Organised by the Indonesian government in collaboration with the Microsoft Corporation, the event was themed ‘Serving the Citizen: The Transformative Power of Information Technology in Delivering Government Services’ and was graced with the presence of high profile participants like Indonesian President Dr. H. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and Gates.

The Sri Lankan delegation to the seminar was fortunate to have been selected as one of four countries to have a series of one-to-one’s with Gates and his team members.

The statement said Microsoft was delighted and keen to hear of President Mahinda Rajapakse’s vision for Sri Lanka as a key player in the global IT revolution, and went on to state that the positive impression presented by the Sri Lankan delegation created and provided for an opportune moment, for Sri Lanka and Microsoft to forge a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between each other.

The Sri Lankan delegation also met with Chris Atkinson, President South East Asia – Microsoft and Michael Donlan, General Manager Public Sector, APAC – Microsoft Corporation. Gates suggested that Sri Lanka should find ways of developing world class universities locally, enabling Sri Lanka to enter into a new world of knowledge and technology. Microsoft said it would explore the possibilities of commissioning a McKenzie Consultant Study for Sri Lanka, focusing on the potential for IT / BPO industrial growth in the country.

The Sri Lankan delegation included Karu Jayasuriya - Minister for Public Administration & Home Affairs, and Chairman Cabinet Sub-Committee on Human Resource Development,. Prof. Tissa Vitharana - Minister for Science and Technology; Ariyaratne Hewage – Consultant, HRD, Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs; Dr. Sunimal Fernando – Senior Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka; Prof. P.W. Epasinghe – Chairman, ICT Agency of Sri Lanka and Senior Advisor to the President; Reshan Dewapura – Chief Operating Officer, ICT Agency of Sri Lanka and Sriyan de S. Wijeyeratne – Country Manager, Microsoft Sri Lanka.