Huawei co-sponsors ICTA for “e-Swabhimani 2020” Digital Social Impact Awards

World’s leading ICT provider, Huawei is co-sponsor of the Information & Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) for e-Swabhimani 2020 - Digital Social Impact Awards programme that recognizes the excellence of the use of ICT tools and applications for social wellbeing. 
e-Swabhimani is an initiative of ICTA, the apex ICT institution of the Government, which functions under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. 
As a platform that hails “catalytic innovation,” for social change, e-Swabhimani is the only national award in Sri Lanka that appreciates digital solutions for the benefit of society, Huawei said in a media release. 
Launched in 2009, e-Swabhimani successfully has brought to light the best of local talents, encouraging them to greater heights by giving recognition to social causes that has a positive impact on the lives of people. The concept of e-Swabhimani is unique and novel as it celebrates and acknowledges digital applications and solutions of social benefit. 
“We are indeed glad that a global ICT leader such as Huawei has come forward to co-sponsor e-Swabhimani, the Digital Social Impact Awards which recognizes Sri Lanka’s top ICT talent, whilst also encouraging the younger generation to improve their skills and talent along with the new development of ICT technologies to be digital ready. We expect that this national award programme would stimulate a greater interest in the development of a wide range of digital applications that would serve the needs of the society” Chairman of Information & Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) Jayantha De Silva said. 
Aiming to felicitate fluid and intrigued social change e-Swabhimani 2020 calls for applications under several categories. The youth category is introduced for those who are below 26 years of age. Along with the contribution to the society the applications will be evaluated for technical aspects and strategic aspects under each category. 
“This will further ensure Huawei’s commitment to the upliftment and cultivation of ICT skills, talent and digitalization of Sri Lanka. In recent months amidst the pandemic outbreak it is commendable that Sri Lanka has launched several initiatives to lay the foundation for the digitalisation of economy and society in responding to the pandemic. Sri Lanka’s ICT sector continues to grow despite the pandemic, and the demand for skilled ICT talent is ever growing. We as Huawei hope to respond to this call to train and upskill ICT talent in collaboration with ICT industry partners such as ICTA with competitive advantage, and will continue to be a core driver of digital transformation in Sri Lanka,” said Chief Executive of Huawei Sri Lanka Liang Yi.

Above from left: Indika De Zoysa- Vice President Huawei, Indumini Kodikara- Programme Manager ICTA, Liang Yi - Chief Executive Officer Huawei Sri Lanka, Jayantha De Silva –Chairman ICTA, Eng. Mahinda B. Herath  - Chief Executive Officer ICTA, Hiranya Samarasekera- Chief Technology Officer, ICTA and Xiao Hua Ricardo, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Huawei Sri Lanka.