Use of NenaSala (“Global Knowledge Centres”/“Telecenters”/“Wishwa Kendra”) and Internet Cafes for development of society:

It is universally accepted that the information and communication technology can be used to accelerate the economic development activity in the world, more especially in the countries which are classified as less- or under-developed. In these countries, there are certain identified impediments that obstruct the application of the technology for the social improvement of their populations. Among these barriers the more important factors are the:

a)    Lack of infrastructure
b)    Illiteracy and
c)    poverty

Harnessing the potential of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for the purpose of enhancing the economic and social condition of the less privileged societies has been the topic which has engaged the attention of the policy planners of these countries for sometime. Even the United Nations has addressed its mind to the subject. But due to the reasons referred to above, mainly the lack of essential infrastructure, the establishment of which requires a substantial amount of capital investment, this has not got off the ground with such speed as it is required.

In the Sri Lankan context, the problem is not as acute as in other countries in this part of the world. The availability of a well developed telecommunication sector is the most essential requirement for making available to the masses the vast benefits of the information and communication technology. The country has a well developed telecommunication network, except in a very few areas, which too can be provided this facility in stages in the near future.

The other factor that stands for the country’s advantage is its high literacy rate which is about 92 percent. This is a plus point for the country. No other nation in the region possesses such a high rate which can be equated to that of the U.S and the European Union countries. So, in any attempt to make the mass of people literate in the ICT, this is a great advantage having far reaching consequence for the good of the country. Youth who achieve a high degree of competency in the field can migrate to developed countries for employment and send to the country much needed foreign exchange. In a way this is a solution, to a certain extent, to the question of joblessness.

The poverty level of the rural sector is a handicap that is a little complicated because it precludes the poor from buying the necessary hardware and software needed for the purpose.  Even this could be overcome by introducing loan schemes on easy terms. Further, non-government organizations, foreign and local, could be requested to play a dynamic role in this respect.

The government of Sri Lanka having realized the importance of the information and communication technology in the economic and social development process, especially in the rural sector, has decided on the empowerment of the masses with literacy in this field. It has set up an implementing authority for formulating and directing an IT policy towards this end.

The apex body in charge of the policy formulation is the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) functioning under the direction of the Presidential Secretariat. Its aim is "To harness ICT as a lever for economic and social advancement by taking the dividends of ICT to every village, to every citizen, to every business & to re-engineer the way government thinks & works".

The provision of the necessary infrastructure to attain this objective is the essential prerequisite of this undertaking. The Information Infrastructure Program is in charge of this task. “It will provide a user-friendly environment and state-of-the-art technology infrastructure throughout Sri Lanka that enables all citizens to have ready access to information, modern communications, electronic services, and content that realize improvements in the quality of life.”

The implementation of the policy is dependent on four aspects.

1.    Installation of a rural telecommunication network to offer the population telecommunication services at a reasonable cost, to provide facilities to contact government offices and commercial establishments over the internet to carry on their day to day transactions.
2.    Opening of 1000 ICT centres (Nenasalas which are called as “Global Knowledge Centres” or “Telecenters” or “Wishwa Kendra”) will empower the rural communities all across Sri-Lanka with affordable access to ICT based services.  Nenasala is also geared to conduct computer training classes and guidance in regard to internet-based services.   Enhancing the IT literacy of the rural population will afford them easy access to IT based occupations.
3.    Provision of easy access through Lanka Gate (Country Portal) Interface - This will provide everybody access to obtain information and integrated government services on-line quickly, securely and easily from a single portal from any location. Source: ICTA
4.    Establishment of Lanka Government Network (LGN) - The objective of LGN is to provide the necessary infrastructure to connect and facilitate exchange of information between all connected government organizations in the network. Source: ICTA

A careful reading of the objectives behind the policy formulation reveals that, while the ICTA attempts to transfer the benefits of the information technology to the masses, it has laid special emphasis on the necessity of making the rural sector literate in this field so that they will not lag behind those who live in towns.

When it comes to a question of employment generation, those who are competent in the field of information technology will have a greater chance in the job market. Considering the current turmoil in the global economy, companies in developed countries are more prone to resort to outsourcing to get their office work done at a very much lower cost; some of the work that could be easily performed on an outsourced basis is:

•    Audio Typing
•    Copy Typing
•    Email Correspondence
•    Data Input
•    Email Administration
•    Secretarial Services
•    Transcription
•    Word Processing
•    Internet Research
•    Article Writing
•    Bulletin Board Posting
•    Customer Services/Call Centre Activities

Pensioners, qualified old people, Differently abled people, School leavers and professionally qualified mothers, not working on account of their small children, can work from home. The benefits deriving are several. There is no necessity to commute as they work from home, so no travelling expenses are involved.  There are no fixed duty hours. It is possible to arrange a flexible time table for the completion of the work assigned. No expense is involved for especial clothing.  The benefit derived has a dual advantage, for the individual as well as the country, which is benefitted because of the inflow of much needed foreign exchange.

Potential of Lanka Gate is inestimable in many respects. The possibility to access every type of on-line information and services relating to Sri Lanka is advantageous in more respects than one. The public need not waste time and money in commuting to offices to get what they want. The other thing is corruption, bribery and other malpractices with which government servants are often charged could be restricted to the barest minimum. Red tape and delays could be got rid of. It is profitable for the government departments as well in that there is no need to write unnecessary correspondence and provide forms that could be duplicated on-line. Thus there is a saving on stationary.

Lanka Gate Network (LGN) can facilitate the smooth flow of information between government departments without delays. One of the serious shortcomings presently confronted in the matter of passing down information needed for decision-making is the length of time taken to do so. This is one of the reasons often cited for the retardation of the pace of progress of economic development projects. It also extends increased ease of access to government services to citizens, businesses and others through the provision of this infrastructure.
In the field of education too, ICT can play an important role to upgrade the knowledge of the educated rural youth who languish without opportunities due to lack of financial backing. Nenasala centres, opened throughout the length and breadth of the country, are doubtlessly a golden opportunity for enhancement of their knowledge on various subjects.

If the Nenasala concept is properly administered, information and communication technology will be of immense benefit, generally to the country and more particularly to the rural masses, for it has the potential of developing the village economy, improving the social conditions and upgrading the educational aspirations of the countryside. Similarly, the benefits of the public service which are presently very slow to filter down to the grass root levels of the population will be delivered expeditiously and efficiently. On the other hand, it will also help to purify the government service that is ridden with bribery and corruption.

If the “Global Knowledge Centres” or “Wishwa Kendra” and Internet Cafes are put into productive work, the potential and benefits the society is going to derive from them is enormous.  The reason for the inclusion of Internet Cafes into this lot is that most of the people have ADSL/Board Band Lines at their homes hence, patronizing Internet Cafes have become is very much less.

MyHome-MyOffice.com is positive and would like to take up the challenge of using these centers for the betterment of the society and economy of Sri Lanka.  Are you willing to join hands with us to make this a reality?