ICTA Chairman Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, UCSC Director Dr. Ajantha Athukorala, and Creative Software Director Sushena Ranathunga discussed Sri Lanka’s digital industry growth and presented their vision for a $ 5 billion digital industry by 2030.
Key Strategies
- Embracing global trends and adopting an open-source mindset
- Activating diaspora opportunities and fostering global partnerships
- Building a strong digital public infrastructure and improving governance structures
- Enhancing collaboration between industries and academia
Importance of Education and Capacity Building
- Reforming education to focus on entrepreneurial skills and agility
- Developing high-quality outputs to cater to the country’s smaller population
- Building a strong capacity to drive technological innovation
Key Challenges
- Overcoming the prevailing “silo work” culture within the IT sector
- Establishing trust in the industry through strong governance and innovation
- Addressing the need for intellectual property (IP) development and high-value production
Key Partnerships
- Forming global partnerships to drive market expansion and create demand
- Collaborating with academia and industries to foster innovation and growth
- Building a strong and agile workforce
UCSC’s Role in Supporting the Digital Economy
The University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) has a crucial role in supporting the digital economy, with a focus on capacity building, education reform, and fostering innovation.
Conclusion
The vision for a $ 5 billion digital industry by 2030 requires a coordinated effort from the government, industries, academia, and the diaspora. By embracing global trends, adopting an open-source mindset, and leveraging the country’s unique strengths, Sri Lanka can break past traditional limitations and position itself as a leader in the digital economy. The time for incremental change has passed – bold, coordinated action is now essential to shaping the nation’s digital future.
