Colombo (LNW): The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in Sri Lanka is grappling with a significant shortage of skilled professionals, many of whom have emigrated, a senior official disclosed with media.
The island nation’s strategic goal under the Digiecon-2030 plan is to enhance the digital economy, aiming for it to contribute a minimum of US $15 billion to the national economy by 2030.
This comprehensive strategy includes initiatives such as digital nomad visas, the introduction of e-payments across government entities, and streamlined approval processes.
As per the projections of Digiecon-2030, the country’s ICT workforce should number around 175,000 in the current year and increase to 300,000 by 2025.
“Presently, our workforce stands at just 75,000. While we’re progressing towards Digiecon-2030’s objectives, the continuous outflow of talent remains a pressing issue,” Prasad Samarawickrema, Project Director of Digiecon-2030, told EconomyNext.
The Digiecon-2030 strategy envisions propelling Sri Lanka’s economy into a comprehensive digital era by harnessing innovative, tech-driven solutions.
A large portion of ICT professionals depart the nation after only a year’s experience, predominantly migrating to European nations, Samarawickrama pointed out.
“We currently have a shortfall of 50,000 ICT professionals. To realise our goals, we’re in dire need of start-ups and technical experts,” he said.
Samarawickrema emphasised the necessity to overhaul the educational curriculum, integrating updated ICT subjects in schools and revamping vocational training programs to yield competent ICT professionals, stating “The academic curriculum might take up to seven years to modify, while vocational training could take over a year. By then, newer technologies could emerge, rendering the curriculum obsolete”.
He pressed on the need for a bespoke revision in the ICT-focused educational system, mentioning, “Many of the local ICT graduates don’t meet the industry’s employment standards.”
Following a severe economic downturn, which led to a declaration of bankruptcy and sovereign debt default last April, Sri Lanka witnessed a mass exodus of its ICT professionals.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who also oversees the Technology Ministry, has been ardently advocating for the digitisation of the economy, aiming to curb corruption and expedite economic revival.
However, there has been resistance to this digital transformation from many public sector workers in the past.
