In a further development contributing to making the benefits of ICT reach the people the eGovernment policy was approved by the cabinet recently. The policy aimed at achieving overall development within Government organisations and delivery of Government services was submitted to the cabinet by President Mahinda Rajapaksa himself.

Entitled "Policy and Procedures for ICT Usage in Government (eGovernment Policy)", the document was prepared by the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) as mandated by the ICT Act no. 33 of 2008. The act had empowered ICTA to submit recommendations to the Inter-Ministerial Committee for formulating the National Policy Framework for submission to the Cabinet of Ministers for their approval.

Much work had gone into the preparation of the policy. ICTA set up an ICT policy committee in November 2004 to formulate the first draft of policies and procedures for use of ICT in Government. After an internal review, the initial draft was presented in February 2005 to a representative gathering of stakeholders mainly comprisint members of the ICTA Focus Groups and Working Groups.

There was an extensive discussion on the policy and the views of the participants were taken into account and the policy was further modified. The document was later presented to approximately 150 Chief Innovation Officers (CIOs)of the Western Province on 2005.3. 10 and to a group of (CIOs) and Re-engineering Government Focus Group members on 2008.7.22. It was also made available to the Public on www.icta.lk in order to ascertain the views of a wider audience. ICTA published advertisement in the newspapers inviting the views of the public and interested parties on the draft document.

The views received as a consequence was considered by ICTA before finalising the document. Comments were received from several Government organisations, private organisations, citizens, associations, health personnel, etc. All comments were reviewed and the draft was amended incorporating relevant recommendations.

Among the objectives of the document running into 32-pages in hard copy format and available also as a pdf soft copy at www.icta.lk is to ensure consistency in ICT activities and practices in Government organisations island-wide.

In other words these policies and procedures should be followed by all Government organisations, Ministries, Government Departments, Provincial Councils, District Secretariats, and Divisional Secretariats and Local Authorities, Government Corporations, Statutory Bodies, and Companies fully owned by Government. It is mandatory that the policy is adopted by each Government organisation and customised if necessary.

The policy articulates the minimum requirements expected of Government organisations, and Government organisations could add on to this and create their own organisational ICT policies and procedures within the policy framework.

Thus, the Policy is mandatory for providing a unified approach in implementing eGovernment services. Among the objectives of the Policy are improved efficiency and effeciveness of Government organisations in Sri Lanka thereby making each Government orgainsation's budget go further; ease and accessibility of Government information and services for citizens, and other Government organisations; promotion of good governance; Development of ICT competence among Government employees; Mangement of ICT resources in a sustainable manner.

The policy's implementation time frame is three years from January 2009 and will be extended from time to time, as determined by the Government, with appropriate modifications. The issue of formulating and incorporating into the country's legal system suitable measures relating to ICT, so as to promote the development of ICT and to create a facilitating legal environment is presently being addressed by ICTA.

The policy covers a variety of subjects including Electronic Transactions, Computer Crimes, Data Protection, Intellectual Property Rights, ICT Management, Information Life Cycle Management, Protection of personal data, Standards, Data Administration Hubs, Network - Application and Data Architecture, ICT Audit, Accessibility and Service Delivery, Contracts and Information Assets Management, ICT Project Continuity, Procurement and Contractual Issues, Communication Interface, Networking and Connectivity, Web Presence, Government Network and Human Resource Development.

No sooner had this policy been given publicity than plaudits came pouring the business community, ICT professionals and academia. Virtusa General Manager and Sri Lanka Association of Software and Service Companies (SLASSCOM) Secretary General Madu Ratnayake said that it was commendable that for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka an ICT policy for the State Sector had been formulated and implemented. "The document will be the key factor in taking ICT forward", Ratnayake attested. He pointed out that as a result of this policy all State institutions would adopt a uniform procedure thus greatly contributing towards development in Sri Lanka.

Intel Country Manager Indika de Zoysa said that an important aspect of the e-Government policy was the appointing Chief Innovative Officers (CIOs) in all State Institutions. "This will help in carrying out ICT related activities in Government Institutions in a systematic way", Indika de Zoysa said.. Dwelling on the benefits of the policy the Intel head for Sri Lanka said that it provided a clear guidance in audit, procurement of goods and services, assurance of security etc. in Government institutions.

"Implementation of an eGovernment policy is is a major step contributing to the country making huge strides in ICT", Microsoft Sri Lanka Head Shriyan Wijeratna pointed out. Top academic and Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology President / Chief Executive Officer Prof. Lalith Gamage said that the eGovernment document was a very comprehensive document covering all aspects in detail with regard to policies and procedures for the Government sector in using ICT and in delivering Government services.