Lanka Government Network (LGN)
In Sri Lanka's ambitious journey towards digital transformation, the government recognized the imperative need for a robust network that could seamlessly facilitate electronic services (eServices). This was particularly crucial in the domains of Government-to-Citizen (G2C) and Government-to-Government (G2G) interactions. To address the existing challenges in data sharing, connectivity, and secure hosting during this digitization process, the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) took the lead in spearheading the Lanka Government Network (LGN) initiative.
The overarching goal was to establish a highly available, high-speed, secure, and centrally managed government network. This network aimed to connect various institutions, providing last-mile connectivity of up to 100Mbps, wireless networks, access to Lanka Government Cloud (LGC) services, and secure integration with existing networks. Furthermore, the initiative focused on fostering superior communication platforms, including cloud-based email, G2G IP-based voice communication, and video services.
Aligned with the Government of Sri Lanka's (GoSL) commitment to ICT initiatives, the LGN project addressed challenges and inefficiencies in government services. Recognizing the pivotal role of ICT in enhancing public services, reducing costs, and promoting transparency, LGN emerged as a comprehensive solution.
LGN 2.0, the upgraded version, enhanced last-mile connectivity with fiber optics and Wi-Fi, connecting 860 government organizations. The project spanned Ministries, Departments, Hospitals, and other entities, fostering a more interconnected digital ecosystem. This two-phase initiative (LGN 1.0 and LGN 2.0) ensured a modernized network, providing efficient data management and high-speed capabilities.
The success of LGN was evident in the outcomes achieved:
• Unified Data Backbone: Successfully implemented the connected government concept, establishing a unified data backbone that seamlessly links every government organization. This prioritizes citizen needs, offering user-friendly public services and enabling cross-organizational functionalities through electronic means.
• Nationwide Accessibility: Ensured nationwide accessibility to the LGN network via Wi-Fi technology, fostering connectivity from any location within the country.
• Improved Communication: Enhanced communication among government organizations by implementing rapid data exchange mechanisms, providing citizens with integrated electronic services. Increased citizen engagement by leveraging Wi-Fi facilities in all government entities.
• Cost Reductions: Effectively decreased internet costs for the government through secure internet access via LGN. Reduced travel time and expenses by implementing IP-based voice and video communication via LGN as a trusted connectivity solution.
• Digital Document Delivery: Enhanced the efficiency of citizens' document submissions for government services through initiatives promoting digital document delivery and cross-government document digitization. Contributed to the advancement of postal services by introducing e-commerce solutions.
• Local Government Efficiency: Increased the efficiency of services delivered by local government authorities through the implementation of the E Local Government initiative. Prioritized citizen and employee satisfaction by implementing eBMD, ePopReg, eDS, eSLIMS, and the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) systems.
• Infrastructure Cost Reduction: Successfully reduced government ICT infrastructure costs by facilitating access to the Lanka Government Cloud (LGC) facility, allowing the government to host all systems centrally instead of maintaining individual infrastructures.
In conclusion, the Lanka Government Network stands as a successful project that has positively impacted both the Sri Lankan economy and society at large.
In conclusion, the Lanka Government Network stands as a successful project that has positively impacted both the Sri Lankan economy and society at large.