By Athula Pushpakumara
Mar 05, Colombo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa says he will ensure that computer literacy will increase in the next three years despite all practical difficulties.
"My target is to increase this from the present 10 percent to 60 percent," he said.
Speaking at the distribution of awards for implementing innovative ICT applications targeting disadvantaged communities at the Presidential Secretariat recently, he said the literacy rate of 90 percent in Sri Lanka was very high. However in contrast, computer literacy was very low.
He said language, cultural barriers and lack of communication were some of the key factors for the low computer literacy rate.
"Computers must be within the reach of farmers like in other countries as it can be made a production tool," the President said. He said the 'Nanasala' programme was launched for this purpose.
"The highest number of Internet subscribers in Sri Lanka will be from Mahawillachchiya in the Anuradhapura district soon," CEO/Managing Director of the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) Manju Haththotuwa said. He added that farmers in Mahawillachchiya are keen to invest in computers rather than to purchase other household goods.
"These farmers have come to know that these investments pave the way to a successful future of their children," he said.
ICTA provided funds through the dual Partnership Assistance Programme and the Community Assistance Programme for project implementation and development of ICT applications. ICTA has distributed Rs. 35 million to six organisations for partnership grants and 11 communities for community assistance grants.
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