Decoding Sri Lanka's Digital Advancement: An Essential Discussion

In an era increasingly defined by digital transformation, comprehending Sri Lanka's progress is of utmost importance. This dialogue with Harsha Purasinghe, Board Director of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), provides valuable insights into the nation's efforts to enhance digitalization. Indika Sakalasooriya engages Mr. Purasinghe in a pivotal conversation, exploring the ambitious initiatives aimed at fostering public adoption of digital technologies.

Below are several insightful perspectives shared by Mr. Purasinghe: 

    1. Enhancing Digital Literacy: It is vital to improve the digital literacy of citizens. The introduction of new digital systems is futile if there is no public willingness to utilize them. Thus, creating an environment conducive to public acceptance is essential, with the media playing a significant role in this endeavor.

    2. Organizational Structure for Digitalization: The absence of a proper organizational structure will hinder the realization of digitalization goals. This issue must be approached holistically, and a proposed organizational framework is already in place to advance this initiative.

    3. GovPay Initiative: The GovPay project, initiated in 2022, faced challenges regarding sustainability. Upon reassessing the project, we addressed its shortcomings and made substantial progress within a few months. Notably, we have reduced the transaction fee from LKR 50 to LKR 15, for which we are grateful to Lankapay for their commendable efforts.

    4. Cash Economy Dynamics: Sri Lanka's cash economy is more developed than that of India, with ATMs accessible in many towns. This may contribute to the lower adoption rates of QR-based payment systems compared to India. Additionally, subpar user experiences in payment applications further complicate this issue.

    5. Importance of Biometrics in Digital Identity: Incorporating biometrics is essential for a modernized Digital Identity system. There exists a misconception regarding the potential leakage of collected data to India. However, once the digital identity system is established and widely adopted, users will recognize its utility.

    6. Potential in the Digital Sector: Sri Lanka possesses significant potential within the digital landscape. Our human resource capacity is exceptional, with an increasing influx of skilled professionals each year. The presence of numerous commendable software companies positions us to become a prominent software hub.

    7. AI as a National Strategy: It is crucial to analyze why nations such as Singapore and Malaysia have adopted AI as a central strategy for national development. They have recognized the potential of AI in bolstering their economies. To this end, we have convened the best AI experts in Sri Lanka to collaborate through an AI Advisory Committee.