Chief Digital Information Officer Development Framework Launched to Drive Digital Transformation in the Public Sector

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) announces the launch of a Framework to Develop ‘Chief Digital Information Officers’ (CDIO) in the Public Sector of Sri Lanka.  The initiative was launched virtually in the presence of the Secretary to the Ministry of Technology, Mr. Jayantha De Silva, Chairman of ICTA, Mr. Oshada Senanayake, Chief Executive Office of ICTA, Eng. Mahinda B.Herath and many distinguished speakers and invitees from the public and government sectors. This initiative is targeted at developing five hundred (500) CDIO’s in the public sector by year 2024.

The ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) in line with the national vision of building a smart nation, has embarked on a journey of driving Digital Transformation in the public sector of Sri Lanka.  These efforts are undertaken to ensure efficient and effective service delivery to stakeholders, mainly to the citizens of Sri Lanka.

Capacitating the government is essential to make digital government transformation a success. In lieu of fulfilling this National objective, ICTA embarked on a holistic capacity building drive and incorporated a framework focusing on making the government digitally matured whilst empowering the workforce at all levels.

A key pillar in this effort is the creation of a Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO), a capable and competent individual established within public sector institutions to drive its vital digitization efforts.  

The CDIO will ensure to drive the digital transformation while ensuring the public sector organizations undertake timely, relevant, and feasible efforts to reduce costs, ensure faster service delivery and maintain transparency in all transactions and interactions within the government.

Commenting on this initiative, Mr.Jayantha De Silva, secretary to the Ministry of Technology, stated, “the government of Sri Lanka is fully committed to supporting this initiative launched by ICTA. A significant shift is expected within the Government sector towards a citizen-centric government in the next three years. Therefore, we urge government sector employees to step forward and be part of this initiative as ICTA facilitates Capacity-building, focusing on developing a capable government workforce”.

Chairman ICTA, Mr. Oshada Senanayake stated, “as much as we focus on a journey of digital transformation across the public sector, a key imperative is capacity-building and up-skilling for sustainability in the long term. The Government CDIO Program would be pivotal in ensuring the introduction of technology as a catalyst within the public sector, harmonizing digital initiatives with organizational processes and policies, aligned to ensuring an optimum user experience to the public”.

The CDIO framework launched today will outline the roadmap of the government CDIO inititative for the public sector of Sri Lanka. In addition, the framework will provide the necessary guidance and minimum qualifications and competancies required for any government employee to consider the position of CDIO.

Mr. Ramesh Shanmuganathan,  Executive Vice President/Group CIO John Keels Holdings PLC. and Ms. Ama Ekanayaka, Head of IT, Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC  gave inspiring and thought-provoking talks during the session, relating to their experiences in the private sector that can be applied to transform Sri Lanka.

Mr.Anura De Alwis, Chief Digital Economy Officer ICTA, introduced the pool of mentors dedicated to assisting in this process. Namely, Mr. Ramesh Shanmuganathan, Group CIO John Keells Holdings PLC, Ms. Anoja Basnayake, Director IT A. Baur and Co. Pvt.Ltd, Mr. Madhu Ratnayake,  Executive Vice President/ CIO, Virtusa and Board Member ICTA, Mr. K.V. Kuganathan, Group CIO Janashakthi Group, Ms. Ama Ekanayake, Head of IT, Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC.  and Mr. Jehan Mutalif, Chief Digital Officer MAS Holdings.

ICTA’s Chief Officers along with Director, Capacity Building were also present at this forum which was successfully concluded. All government officers are invited to take part and be a part of the Digital Government Transformation along with the multi-faceted capacity-building drive.