In addition to Harsha’s many interventions in improving the quality of public discourse in Sri Lanka through his BizFirst program and many activities as part of LIRNEasia, Harsha has engaged in many public-spirited actions, ranging from the personally funding the source collection of agricultural price information used by many government agencies and the media to his key role in the Colombo Regency Rotary Club’s web-based fund raising for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that led to the construction of a large number of houses in Kalutara. We are happy that his contributions and potential have been recognized by others.

Lalith Weeratunga at LIRNEasia launch in Sept 2004

Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President of Sri Lanka, was recently elected to the chair of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Committee of ESCAP – the Economic & Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Speaking to Sandeshaya Weeratunga said that “during the past three years computer literacy in the country has increased from 5 per cent to over 20 per cent”

He elaborated that the ‘e-Sri Lanka’ initiative has enabled people to obtain authenticated copies of Death, Marriage and Birth Certificates – essential documents within a few minutes.

Responding to a question that some rural tele centers have been dysfunctional Weeratunga said there are about 600 Telecenters and it’s not unusual for a few to fall behind.

“However we will relocate them if necessary”, he said.

Commenting on the Sri Lankan expertise of the diasporas, Weeratunga said that there are those who want to help but in actual fact most of them are really in search of jobs.

“We cant pay them the salaries they expect but if anyone wants to genuinely help they could log in to the ICTA web site (www.icta.lk)” said Weeratunga.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2008/11/081122_weeratuge.shtml

Professor William H. Melody
Technical University of Denmark
London School of Economics

… in his presentation on “public administration in an e-economy” to the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration.

Melody further explained that e-government, as the application of new technology to deliver public services – is efficient, effective, and responsive. Timely application of new technology will make the government better, cheaper and faster.

Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to Hon. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, co-chair, reported that the Sri Lankan government is taking steps to reengineer itself as a viable e-government.

This bi-monthly executive seminar series is being conducted to raise e-gov awareness among public servants. Participants in this inaugural session included senior secretaries and officials from relevant ministries and organizations like the Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA). This program is backed by T.M.K.B. Tennakoon – Director of SLIDA, Prof. Rohan Samarajiva – Executive Director of LIRNEasia and CISCO Internet Business Solutions Group.

It was an auspicious launch with the personal message from Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa delivered by Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to Prime Minister (see previous post for tea with the PM) and a message delivered by MP Milinda Moragoda. Also in attendance were Manju Hathotuwa, CEO of the Information Communication Technology Agency. There were also 3 generations of Samarajiva’s including Ainsley and Evelyn Samarajiva. It took 7 people and 15 waiters to light the ceremonial lamp in the winds from the beach.