April 24, Colombo (LNW): The Government has unveiled a comprehensive national digital economy strategy for Sri Lanka titled “Digital Sri Lanka 2030” along with an implementation plan with a view of transforming the island nation’s outdated and archaic public administration, and financial management procedures.
The strategy recognises the importance of building a robust, export-oriented economy, and the need to create strong economic and technological partnerships with partners around the world
Emphasizing the need of overhauling the entire economic situation in the country, former finance minister Ravi Karunanayake said that digital economy refers to the economic activities that emerge from connecting individuals, businesses, devices, data and operations through digital technology.
He noted that the present administration headed by visionary leader President Ranil Wickremasinghe has a vision for 2030 to digitally empower Sri Lanka for innovation, inclusion and sustainable growth.
No other leader or political party in Sri Lanka except President Ranil Wickremasighe to steer the country towards modernization with a systematic change not ad hoc changes suggested by present day opposition political party leaders.
Mr Karunanayake disclosed that completion and fair trade along e-business.e-business infrastructure and e-commerce will be given priority in the National Digital Economy Strategy.
To achieve the desired outcomes, the national digital strategy for Sri Lanka includes actions across six strategic areas. Underpinning these areas are six core principles and six critical enablers, official sources said. .
The six core principles are; inclusive, innovative, sustainable, global, human-centric and rights-based.
The six strategic areas are infrastructure connectivity and access, skills, literacy, industry and jobs; connected digital government; cyber security, safety and privacy; digital financial services and digitisation across sectors and SMEs.
The six critical enablers are legal and regulatory framework; digital identity; institutional governance; data governance; stakeholder engagement and private investment.
According to the Ministry of Technology, the focus moving forward is on developing the Sri Lankan digital ecosystem as a core component of a more-vibrant, socially inclusive, export-oriented, and green economy.
The national digital strategy will be an integral part of the country’s economic recovery and growth between now and 2030 and will be implemented in phases.
In the first phase, over the next two years (until the end of 2025), the emphasis will be on setting the stage through reforms and selected investments to position the country for recovery.
This will require strengthening institutions to rebuild the business climate, attracting private investment, and driving service exports, whilst ensuring that inclusive and improved digital services support improved governance and accountability.
Beyond 2026, the focus will shift to strategically positioning the country as a digital innovation and entrepreneurship hub in the Asia-Pacific, investing in the future of technology and jobs, and fully integrating digital technology across all of society and the economy.
