ICT
From The Report: Sri Lanka 2017
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After years of strong economic growth and population expansion, Sri Lanka’s telecoms and IT sectors face increasing demand for a wider range of services. At the same time, a more tech-savvy populace has increasing expectations of service standards and quality, as technological changes reach greater numbers of people. With a dedicated government ministry ensuring that the activities of the country’s ICT institutions under its purview are aligned with national objectives and connecting research and development with industry requirements, the country is on the right path in having a good pair of hands at the ICT helm. This is underscored by the digital economy’s growth, which is in turn enabled by Sri Lanka’s excellent access to undersea cables and a new cable system that is significantly speeding up the country’s connectivity.

This chapter contains interviews with Dileepa Wijesundera, Group CEO, Sri Lanka Telecom; and Madu Ratnayake, Executive Vice-President and General Manager, VirtusaPolaris.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

The next connection: A plan is in place to improve services and expand access
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After years of strong economic growth and population expansion, Sri Lanka’s telecoms and IT sectors face increasing demand for a wider range of services. At the same time, a more tech-savvy populace has increasing expectations of service standards and quality, as technological changes reach greater numbers of people. A Strong Foundation The body responsible for implementing Sri Lanka’s ICT roadmap is the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), which was established following…

Interview

Making connections: Dileepa Wijesundera, Group CEO, Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) on becoming a global communications centre
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Interview: Dileepa Wijesundera How will the new undersea cable system provide more connectivity in Sri Lanka? DILEEPA WIJESUNDERA: SLT investments continue to further strengthen the country’s global connectivity, which was a key strategy devised to support the national objective of making Sri Lanka the digital centre of the region. The company has focused on the capacities that will be required for future data demand. Currently, SLT is in the process of implementing a global connectivity project,…

Analysis

Win-win: A new trade deal will open up opportunities for tech firms
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Ongoing talks to establish a free trade agreement (FTA) between Sri Lanka and Singapore in 2017 have taken an innovative line with regard to the services category, with trade in digital services singled out for special consideration. Although negotiations are at an early stage, any agreement that does specifically include accommodations for digital services is likely to open up new opportunities for Sri Lanka’s e-commerce sector and its digital entrepreneurs. The Information Communications…

Analysis

A hidden jewel: Low costs and a qualified workforce make for an attractive destination for BPO services
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Business process outsourcing (BPO), has become an increasingly important part of Sri Lanka’s economy. The country’s BPO industry recorded export revenue of $850m in 2015, according to figures from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, making it the country’s fifth-largest export revenue earner that year. Industry leaders expect this number to rise to $5bn by 2022. Growing Segment On the basis of demand from companies based in Western economies, the global knowledge process outsourcing (KPO)…

Interview

The digital age: Madu Ratnayake, Executive Vice-President and General Manager, VirtusaPolaris, on facilitating digital empowerment
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Interview: Madu Ratnayake How can Sri Lanka best continue to position itself as a knowledge services centre amid increasing competition in the region? MADU RATNAYAKE: Sri Lanka is uniquely positioned to market itself as a centre of knowledge services in the region. We have the perfect mix of a high-quality, innovative talent pool with extremely competitive pricing that is attractive to businesses. A large portion of the graduates receive an international education on par with global standards due…