Sajith to follow Chandrababu Naidu, S.M. Krishna in developing Sri Lankan Silicon Valley

By Yohan Perera   

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Sajith Premadasa has  pledged to set up a Silicon Valley-style IT development in Colombo and  to follow the examples of former Indian Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh  Chandrababu Naidu and former Chief Minister of Karnataka S. M. Krishna  in producing quality software professionals.   

“We shall set up IT parks in all constituencies in the  Colombo District and thereby turn Colombo into another Silicon Valley,”  Mr. Premadasa told a rally in Thalawathugoda. 

 
“Most of the software engineers who are working in Silicon  Valley are Indians. This is a result of hard work put in by former  Indian Chief Ministers S. M. Krishna and Chandrababu Naidu who had  created an IT revolution in India. 

We also intend to follow their  policies and turn Colombo into a knowledge hub,” he said.   

“A new revenue-earning middle class has emerged in India  following the development in the IT sector. Sri Lanka should also follow  through,” he added.   

Mr. Premadasa also pledged to narrow the gap between the  schools in all areas of the country. “You get a number of elite schools  in Colombo, including international schools. These schools possess modern  facilities while some other schools are left with basic facilities. We  will narrow this gap and see that underprivileged schools will also get  modern facilities,” he said.   

“We shall reform the education system in this country, no matter who goes against it,” he stressed.   

Also, Mr. Premadasa reiterated his plea to provide a new  financial package to all poor families. “Which shall provide a monthly  financial package for each poor family for two years. This poverty  alleviation programme of ours is based on saving, consumption and  investment.