Digital Economy Blueprint Presentation to Colombo Municipal Council

What an impactful event last Friday at the CMC Auditorium, where our Principal Presidential Advisor on Digital Economy and ICTA Chairman, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, had the privilege of presenting the "Digital Economy Blueprint" for Sri Lanka to CMC members and executives, with the presence of Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Hon. Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, and Her Worship the Mayor of Colombo, Ms. Vraie Cally Balthazaar! This crucial roadmap outlines our nation's ambitious journey towards a thriving digital economy, aiming for a significant "Digital Uplift" and enhanced global competitiveness.

The session began with a warm welcome from the Municipal Commissioner. We were then privileged to hear from:

• Hon. Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, who articulated the strategic importance of this blueprint for national progress and shared the Ministry's unwavering commitment to this transformative journey.

• Madam Mayor, Ms. Vraie Cally Balthazaar, who shared her inspiring vision for a digitally enabled Colombo, highlighting the city's dedication to embracing digital advancements and the crucial importance of moving towards "present-less" services to provide better experiences for residents.

The core of the event was Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya's insightful presentation detailing the comprehensive blueprint. He covered aspects like achieving aggressive targets for digital exports (USD 5 Billion), workforce expansion, and moving Sri Lanka into the 2nd–3rd quartile across most digital benchmarks. Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya stressed the importance of a "Whole of Economy" approach, emphasizing inclusion, trust, and robust digital infrastructure. He also powerfully illustrated how this plan will help us move towards a one-touch, single-window, paperless, cashless, and "present-less" experience for the citizens of the CMC.

The delightful audience engagement was a true highlight, fostering a very interactive and active Q&A session. Dr. Hans, along with the Deputy Minister and the esteemed Board Members from ICTA, provided thorough and helpful clarifications to the questions, underscoring the collaborative effort behind this national initiative and outlining how the CMC can actively join and contribute to achieving these vital targets.

Together, we are charting a course for a digitally empowered Sri Lanka!