Govt. to digitalise and integrate entire government machinery
January 24, 2020Government is to digitalise the entire State mechanism under an integrated system through Information Communication Technology (ICT) under the supervision and management of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA).
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne addressing the ICTA staff at their office in Narahenpita explained about President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s vision to implement digitalisation policy to make State institutions functioning more effectively.
“The motive behind placing Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) under the Defence Ministry’s purview is to pursue and facilitate the process. In the absence of national security, ICT of no use. It is a privilege for you to be under the Defence Ministry because the Ministry has more access, more power and more resources,” Maj. Gen. Gunaratne said
ICTA is solely a government owned institution earlier administrated under the Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Ministry, now placed under the purview of Defence Ministry.
ICTA has been mandated to initiate and implement government’s policy and action plan for information and communication technology.
He said more authority and responsibility had brought more accountability on the Defence Ministry.
The Law and Order Ministry and Digital Infrastructure and Information Technology Ministry are also functions under the purview of the Defence Ministry.
Maj.Gen. Gunaratne emphasising the importance of working together with commitment and dedication assured the staff to give his fullest support to achieve President Rajapks’as vision to make a digital-friendly State sector.
“We expect sheer dedication, commitment and hard work through your professionalism,” he said.
ICTA Chairman Jayantha de Silva, Board of Directors Prof. Lalith Gamage, Dr. Sanjeewa Weeraratne, Reshan Dewapura, Wasantha Deshapriya, Manori Unambuwa, Chief Executive Officer Mahinda B. Herath, Chief Technology Officer Hiranya Samarasekara and other officials were also present.
