The Government Information Center

Introduction

The Information Infrastructure Program handles all activities that envision giving citizens affordable access to information, modern communication and electronic services at any time, from anywhere, enabling them to be a part of the global community. A question that is often asked is how an ICT Infrastructure programme contributes to a country’s development objectives? The answer has been seen empirically in many developing countries where the following indicators are directly related to growth:

1. Connectivity – availability of a delivery channel for information and ICT services
2. Accessibility – availability of connected access devices
3. Content – availability of timely, relevant and localised applications, information and services.

Vision

A user-friendly environment and state-of-the-art technology infrastructure throughout Sri Lanka that enables all citizens to have ready access to information, modern communications, electronic services, and content that realize improvements in the quality of life.

Strategies

• Facilitate the installation of information and communication backbones (Rural Telecom Network) to provide competitive and affordable telecommunications services for various users and provide appropriate channels for delivery of e-citizen services, including but not limited to e-government services, e-commerce and e-learning.

• Establishment of a network of 1000 ICT service delivery centres (Nenasalas) to empower the population in the rural areas of the country, through affordable access to information and communication technologies in local communities.

• Design and implement Technical Architecture, Security and Standards (TASS) across government and all nationwide activities related to ICT.

• Create a “single window” for citizens to access services provided by the government through establishing interoperability standards