(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Thursday inspected the Galle Techno Park being constructed in the Walahanduwa area in Galle.
The government plans to build five ‘Technology Parks’ island wide with the aim of building a Cultural Technological Innovation in line with the ‘ Vision of Prosperity ‘ policy.
The initiative is expected to contribute to the national economic development by establishing Sri Lanka as a hub of technological innovation, attracting foreign investment, encouraging new companies with advanced technology, promoting export oriented industries, creating new employment opportunities, disseminating knowledge and improving the living standards of the people in the relevant areas and earning foreign exchange.
The technology parks will be located in Galle, Kurunegala, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Habarana.
President Rajapaksa who arrived at the Walahanduwa Technology Park in Galle this afternoon (17) opened the project board and inspected the site. The President also unveiled the official logo of the Galle Technology Park.
The Ministry of Technology expects to complete the construction of the technology park covering an area of 30 acres by the middle of 2023.
It is expected to add more than 350,000 square feet to the land area of one technology park, ensuring the need for infrastructure for local and international technology institutes in Sri Lanka.
The “Technology Park” will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology facilities with 5G communications, nanotechnology institutes, recreational activities, nature activities at selected locations, as well as mental and physical retreats.
This initiative will be a key aspect of the overall national digital transformation strategy and as Sri Lanka continues to position itself as a more productive destination for technology services and innovation, it aims to create unique value and lead to future digital economic goals in the country.
Plantation Minister Ramesh Pathirana welcoming the gathering said, about 2,000 direct jobs and many indirect jobs will be created with the construction of the Galle Technology Park.
Also Mr. Ramesh Pathirana pointed out that this project will make a huge contribution to the progress of the education and technology sectors.
Jayantha de Silva, Secretary to the Ministry of Technology said that the new technology parks will be a major driver of the country’s economy in the future.
Namal Rajapaksa, Minister of Youth and Sports and State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Development stated that the background will be prepared to issue a digital identity card to every citizen of the country before the end of 2022.
Mr. Rajapaksa said that the state process from the Grama Niladhari to the Secretary to the President would be integrated with digital technology and that all services would be provided electronically within the next 30 months to meet the targets set by the President.
Southern Province Governor Willie Gamage, State Ministers Mohan P. De Silva, Kanchana Wijesekera, Janaka Wakkumbura, Southern Provincial Councilors, People’s Representatives and Government Officials were also present at the occasion.
