Developing IT industry as major source to earn foreign exchange: Kanaka Herath

20 December 2022 10:25 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 19 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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A comprehensive program has been launched to make the IT sector a major foreign exchange earning industry in the country, Technology State Minister Kanaka Herath said.

While participating in an inspection visit to Avissawella Batangala Youth Training Centre, he said it has been possible to earn US$1,500 million in foreign exchange through the IT industry in 2021.

Approximately 20,000 IT job openings exist in the public and private sectors. It is the responsibility of the Ministry to mobilize the energetic youth for this industry to meet its needs.

"IT will be introduced as an Advanced Level (A/L) subject in the arts stream with the assistance of UNICEF. 700 teachers are given training in IT. Throughout tertiary education, NVQ syllabi are revised in response to job market demands. The development of an overall digital education policy has begun. About 50,000 people work directly in the field of information technology. They have also made significant contributions to the country's ability to earn foreign currency," the Minister said.

He added that 34,000 youth will be directed to the IT field in 2023 through the implementation of training camps at the district level. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)

Comments - 19

Mizaru Tuesday, 20 December 2022 10:42 AM

These fellows who know nothing about IT are talking of IT. I hope they know that IT stands for Information Technology. Do developed Sri Lanka needs to have people with high IQ. Sri Lanka has a high literacy rate but a low IQ population. The proof is the weakness in mathematics. Mathematics is the bread and butter of developing tecnlogy.

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Reformist Tuesday, 20 December 2022 11:03 AM

Change the whole SL education system and move towards STEM fields. SL schools and universities admit way too many students doing Arts subjects. Even worse, too many study Buddhist philosophy, Sinhala, Sanskrit, Pali, Sociology, History with no job prospects at all. Then after graduation they start protesting demanding Government plum jobs. Graduates should be trained for the global job market, not just for local job market. They need to study subjects with job prospects. It is also extremely important to be proficient in English. It is already too late. How can we expect these things when SL Parliament is full of uneducated thugs, elected by mostly uneducated citizens? A vicious cycle!

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No More tax man Tuesday, 20 December 2022 11:36 AM

First reduce income taxes on IT professionals as they can move to any country at anytime as world need them. Your government is chasing out IT professionals

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Be Fair Tuesday, 20 December 2022 11:45 AM

Kanaka: Are you Serious? IT Can Earn Money?

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Hawkeye Tuesday, 20 December 2022 11:47 AM

Another story for the gullible. These donkeys perhaps do not know what IT stands for? If this industry was so easy tell me why did other nations like, Singapore, Malaysia and a host of SE Asian nations are not in the forefront? While India has managed to be a shining light? Let them first look into the reasons before selling a dud cheque to the poor youths.

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Fathima Lai Tuesday, 20 December 2022 12:52 PM

Hawkeye: India is not at the forefront of IT. India is a leading labor supplier because of its population and English-based education system. Companies around the world are hiring from India to lower their costs. Chinese are far ahead of India, we don't see them so because of language and they are not interested in large migrations.

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Sambo Tuesday, 20 December 2022 11:49 AM

Have you realized this only now. You are about 30 years behind reality.

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Siva shanker Thirunavukkarasu Tuesday, 20 December 2022 01:26 PM

Too Late, last in race...

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Klaus Tuesday, 20 December 2022 01:30 PM

Sambia you see 30 Jahre 100 Jahre and more is Sri Lanka behind. Sri Lanka and it Spezialisten 300000 live last time this Wonderful country.

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Nishan Tuesday, 20 December 2022 01:36 PM

Tax more and expect this to be your dream.... ape emathi gawa sampath...

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Siva shanker Thirunavukkarasu Tuesday, 20 December 2022 01:49 PM

Transform the education system in English, adopt more learning techniques for innovation, business excellence, advance Tecnology. You will see the beginning of light.

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Gb Tuesday, 20 December 2022 02:30 PM

Hard to learn with no computers

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mp Tuesday, 20 December 2022 02:53 PM

How can you promote IT without electricity?

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M Fernando Tuesday, 20 December 2022 02:58 PM

SL has "must develop IT" for so many decades now. We must be very advanced today!

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Sunil Tuesday, 20 December 2022 03:20 PM

1,500 million US$? That's peanuts when compared to the true potential of IT. However, no improvements can be made in the IT field if these political idiots intervene. It will be like the recent visit to the Badulla district by our wretched pin president. The outcome will be a colossal waste of money and some people's valuable time and nothing else.

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Mahesh Tuesday, 20 December 2022 03:32 PM

This is a very valid observation. All service sectors can be exported and earn foreign income. The University education must reflect the 21 st century educational programs and uptake of students also need to be increased either through the existing education systems or open up the International collaboration with private institutions. Look at India today compared to 20 years ago and the investment in the young people will flourish the country’s wealth

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Mandayan Tuesday, 20 December 2022 07:59 PM

@Mizaru: No mate, Sri Lankans are very good in Maths and ask any Maths teachers in the UK, Aussie, or Canada. The problem here is Indians have prepared their country since the 1980s for IT and China is preparing for the last 15 years but their issue is English. These ignorant idiots talked about hate, racism, and religion and filled their pockets at the expense of the nation, and talked nonsense about IT.

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Bhagawaan Tuesday, 20 December 2022 09:54 PM

Rather than talking nonsense on imaginary projects, these imbeciles should first concentrate on programs to feed the population, educate the children, and support national self-sufficiency. It is universal that Foreigners always exploit native countries.

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Punchi Wednesday, 21 December 2022 07:04 AM

@Bhagawaan within native countries we exploit one another. Look at the treatment of Indian descent estate workers in our country. But in Malaysia Indian descent from estate workers are empowered and in good jobs. Now they employ Lankan maids in their households

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