Sri Lanka 15 years behind other countries in embracing new technologies

2 July 2024 10:19 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 37 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

A A A

Colombo, July 2 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lankans need to prepare to learn about new technologies like nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI). These are the most important fields in the world. But Sri Lankans are about 15 years behind other countries in preparing for them, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

The Minister made this comment while joining the inaugural programme of starting artificial intelligence-related student clubs (Al Clubs) in 100 schools selected by the Education Ministry and the Technology Ministry, at Temple Trees today.

AI technology is applicable to making a transformational change in all fields of the twenty-first century, and it is an imperative issue for our country to face, the Minister said.

Comments - 37

Jude Tuesday, 02 July 2024 10:33 PM

Thanks to the politicians!!

0 26

Sena Wednesday, 03 July 2024 09:06 AM

So true. Since Independence SL has gone backwards to the stone age. Should have remained under British rule. Could have been like Hong Kong today.

0 23

sachith Tuesday, 02 July 2024 10:49 PM

AI, their new marketing tool. Its not magic, teach students mathematics, logic and critical thinking. There is no magic behind AI for in IT. Also what a joke, this minister has been a minister for last 15yrs and without shame he says we were behind.

0 48

FredSnr Wednesday, 03 July 2024 08:36 AM

True AI is only a tool, of value only in the right hands, dedicated people who will use it to benefit a nation, means every citizen in every part of the country

0 1

SLEx Tuesday, 02 July 2024 11:40 PM

Does anyone in the Education Ministry or any of the political parties actually know what AI is? There has not been any awareness done on what AI actually is, what it can solve, and how it can be implemented. AI is not possible without the most basic IT infrastructure. We are trying to build a road over a river without building the bridge first.

0 19

Krish Wednesday, 03 July 2024 09:07 AM

Seriously? They'll just use AI as an excuse give a contract to some obscure company without tender process to implement some obscure system. So they'll get a fat commission. So in a sense they know exactly what they're doing.

0 6

Sugath Tuesday, 02 July 2024 11:51 PM

What is this minister talking about. In reality, the nation is nearly 30 years behind compared to all other nations that embraced advanced and emerging technologies. All these progressive countries were led by corruption free governments as a result their economies and financial systems are very advanced and the people are well-off. This minister and his political leaders are the ones who denied bright future and destroy the lives of millions of children of commoners in the country. One has to look their families to verify what made them to make our country a Banana republic.

0 62

Adwani Wednesday, 03 July 2024 08:46 AM

@Sugath- Not 30 years, in 1978 only we saw the Calculator, when Banda's clan was kicked out from ruling by UNP.

0 13

Mizaru Wednesday, 03 July 2024 12:33 AM

That shows this clowns knowledge of technology. Sri Lanka is easily 50 or more years behind in technology. The best example is the public transport, that is the rail and road transport. As for railway some locomotives and rolling stock are over 50 years. The trains are more off the track than on the tracks. The so called buses are lorises with seated fitted.

0 41

Mahesh Wednesday, 03 July 2024 01:44 AM

We are no 1 in rocket technology

0 4

Dan Wednesday, 03 July 2024 01:49 AM

He was a Minister in most governments since 1994.

0 16

Revamp Needed Wednesday, 03 July 2024 03:36 PM

Proof all those elderly and unproductive who have served and are still claiming to serve should be voted out in the coming elections. Need a younger professional team to take over these mostly corrupt and incompetent morons currently ruining the country which has so much potential to develop with its resources.

0 0

Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 03 July 2024 02:07 AM

He is learning from Dhammika Perera .

0 10

sss Wednesday, 03 July 2024 02:41 AM

That is OK. In addition to clueless and corrupt politicians, our higher education system producing doctors, engineers, management professionals, scientists etc is only 100 years old - l.ol Sad since independence all these "capable" people have been depending on the productivity of blue collar workers like housemaids in the ongoing primitive SRI Lankan subsistence economy

0 21

Ram Wednesday, 03 July 2024 04:36 AM

Minister Susil, What went wrong? You have been the Chief Minister WPC for 5 years and since 2000 been in Parliament. Why complain now that we are 15 years behind? What were you doing?

0 21

Thanks to bahubootha constitution Wednesday, 03 July 2024 05:00 AM

Not a Suprise when people like you somehow hang on to power, switching sides and enjoy ministerial privileges since 1994.

0 15

Andrew Silva Wednesday, 03 July 2024 05:49 AM

Is it surprising for decades our parliamentarians stole our money and stacked in other country Bank accounts. So how can we have money for any developments.

0 12

Joshua Wednesday, 03 July 2024 06:39 AM

Thanks to the outdated politicians

0 15

Sambo Wednesday, 03 July 2024 07:41 AM

You think you have done great by announcing this. You people as politicians should be ashamed to talk about it and not do anything. That's why not 15 years , but we about 30 years behind the world.

0 23

Sunil Dayananda Wednesday, 03 July 2024 07:46 AM

Hon Minister you need to understand why it is? Please get all politicians out of education policy formation at least now. Leave it to experts.

0 12

Nihal S Wednesday, 03 July 2024 08:23 AM

True, our country is probably 100 yrs behind. This is why you guys keep getting elected to rule the country. In any developed country, you would not be maintained by public funds just to talk and steal public money.

0 15

suresh Wednesday, 03 July 2024 08:25 AM

I thought so too before I migrated. Now I believe we are at least 25 years behind

0 20

B P Wednesday, 03 July 2024 08:31 AM

Solution: Resign immediately and return all money robbed and collected as bribes (Grade 1 admissions)

0 16

Krish Wednesday, 03 July 2024 09:00 AM

Thanks for noticing us. We'll do something about it, after all what can you do eh ?

0 6

Krish Wednesday, 03 July 2024 09:03 AM

If you want to embrace technology forget about AI or any other buzzwords. Just improve schools. Update syllabus. Improve universities, give teachers proper training. Stop corruption, let qualified people into correct portfolios. They will fix things for you.

0 6

Bandara Gamaga Wednesday, 03 July 2024 09:25 AM

Everybody knows it. Stating the obvious. Political crooks have bankrupted the country. Minister how you going to fix it?

0 8

Premalal Perera Wednesday, 03 July 2024 09:29 AM

However, our politicians are well ahead of their world counterparts in the corruption index. Than you for putting our country on the world map.

0 16

Ishan Kannangara, Wednesday, 03 July 2024 09:39 AM

so what is you do as a minister of education to bring this forward? you issue talks like government schools are bad and tempt parents to enroll the kids to private schools hence you could earn a fat commission, Have you ever regulated private school feees, they are charging bloody ransom now.

0 18

Ishan Kannangara, Wednesday, 03 July 2024 09:39 AM

so what is you do as a minister of education to bring this forward? you issue talks like government schools are bad and tempt parents to enroll the kids to private schools hence you could earn a fat commission, Have you ever regulated private school feees, they are charging bloody ransom now.

0 0

Spartacus Wednesday, 03 July 2024 09:46 AM

Can this Minister identify why we are 15y behind other countries in development but 15y ahead in state corruption, State sponsored racism, State thuggery, State terrorism etc?

0 20

L.R.G. Mendis - (Retired Principal) Wednesday, 03 July 2024 09:57 AM

People like you (half educated) being a Minister is the main reason for our children's down fall. Yes, you Susil ruined our Educational System.

0 19

Rip Winkle Wednesday, 03 July 2024 09:59 AM

"Sri Lanka 150 years behind other countries in embracing new and effective political leaders!"

0 19

Dr. R.W. Wickramaratne Wednesday, 03 July 2024 09:59 AM

Susil if you have a backbone, please resign from your ministerial portfolio. You are not suitable for Education but ideal for Women's affairs.

0 27

Sokrates Wednesday, 03 July 2024 12:17 PM

In the picture of school children I can see just 3 girls who have their hair open and not in the horrible braids. Even in the hideous school uniforms the girls look as if they were in a prison camp. It is these little things that determine whether a country is modern or 50 years old.

0 0

Sanjeeva Jayewardene Wednesday, 03 July 2024 12:26 PM

How long have you been in the cabinet?

0 0

Sumana Amarapala Wednesday, 03 July 2024 03:54 PM

Perfectly true, Sanjeewa! Instead of developing the country they've developed their funds to take back to Apaya!! Kaalalkanni!

0 0

Zee Zee Wednesday, 03 July 2024 10:25 PM

True! True!! Why do you and your regime give way to a new generation.

0 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.