News

Biggest block in unlocking SL digital stack is the govt. – Harsha

Published

1 year ago

March 27, 2024

nipuni

Parliamentarian Harsha de Silva has said that the biggest block in unlocking the Sri Lanka digital stack is “the government”.

He had tweeted this after addressing the Digital Public Infrastructure yesterday (March 26) in Colombo.

The conference was organised by the Indian High Commission in Colombo, in partnership with the Ministry of Technology in Sri Lanka.

“The biggest block in unlocking #SriLanka digital stack is the government. Talking about a #DigitalSriLanka is useless unless we get moving with the UniqueID and establishing 3 pillar Digital Public Infrastructure. Lot to learn from @pramodkvarma
presentation+ on the Indian story,” he tweeted.

Addressing the DPI conference, MP de Silva also said, “We heard the President saying that we need to create a digital Sri Lanka. Stop talking about 300 projects… focus on one project. Focus on getting the unique ID done. That is what is going to unlock the Digital Stack. Try to understand this. I’m embarrassed to sit here and listen to stuff that is being spoken about without speaking to the point. But now why is it stuck? Is it corruption, or is it somebody else who wants power? Why is it not moving? why?”

Noting that Sri Lanka is ’embarrassingly behind India’ and that Sri Lanka needs to ‘catch up’, the MP said, “here is a hand extended to us. Let us take it. Let us not wait one more day to do this.”

Meanwhile, making the keynote address at the DPI conference, President Ranil Wickremesinghe characterized Sri Lanka’s economy as a “patchwork economy,” describing it as a collection of disparate elements stitched together. He emphasized the need to transition towards a more cohesive digital economy.

The President also outlined plans to establish a Digital Transformation Agency & AI centre with a budget of LKR 1 billion & announced intentions to present legislation to Parliament by mid-year for these initiatives, prioritizing the transition towards digitalization.

News

Islandwide operation against child begging

Published

7 hours ago

June 21, 2025

editor

A special operation has been launched by the Bureau for the Investigation of Abuse of Children and Women and the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA).

The operation was conducted across multiple police divisions including Colombo North, Colombo South, Colombo Central, Nugegoda, Gampaha, Panadura, Kelaniya, Negombo, Mount Lavinia, Kalutara, Tangalle, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Kurunegala, Chilaw, Ratnapura, Galle, and Matara.

According to the police media division, the operation has rescued 21 minors found begging or selling goods in unsafe conditions.

They have been placed under protective care, the statement adds.

News

Notice for landowners over uncultivated land

Published

7 hours ago

June 21, 2025

editor

The Department of Agrarian Development has issued a notice to landowners with uncultivated land, requesting them to submit reasons for non-cultivation within the next 02 weeks.

Commissioner General – Rohana Rajapaksha highlighted that over 120,000 acres of land, which should have been cultivated, have been abandoned.

News

All President’s Fund services go online from today

Published

7 hours ago

June 21, 2025

editor

All services provided by the President’s Fund to the public will be available through an online system, from today (June 21).

The acceptance of applications for medical assistance under the President’s Fund through Divisional Secretariats island wide commenced on February 07.

Following the successful implementation of that initiative, preparations have now been completed to expand the digital system to include all other services offered by the Fund.

Accordingly, the public will be able to apply online via any Divisional Secretariat across the country for a wide range of services provided under the President’s Fund. These include assistance for poverty alleviation, provision of educational scholarships, recognition of students demonstrating academic excellence, support for individuals with special needs, relief assistance for children affected by wild elephant conflict, recognition of individuals for their national service or contributions to the country, Emergency and disaster relief.

As a result, citizens across Sri Lanka, especially those outside Colombo can conveniently access the services of the President’s Fund without having to travel long distances.