Joint Technical study to be conducted from 19th to 25th January 2022

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka announced that the World Bank Group and ICTA will kick-off a joint technical study. The findings of this joint technical and advisory study are expected to assist Sri Lanka's government in prioritizing the potential areas of digital transformation that need World Bank support, including financing and technical advisory assistance. The study will be carried out under the thematic areas of  Digital  Governance, Digital Government/Services, Digital Economy, and Digital Connectivity. The World Bank will adopt a whole of government approach, focusing on the digital transformation requirements of the entire government and provide technical and financial support to implement the cabinet approved digital transformation strategy effectively. Especially in digital government, digital economy, legal framework and policy, institutional governance, accountability, and monitoring & evaluation framework.

A joint project committee including representatives from the World Bank, Ministry of Technology, and ICTA will be appointed to undertake the study. Technical discussions and reviews will be held with members of the World Bank mission, ICTA, and respective government stakeholders. In addition, representatives from the  World Bank mission will engage with ICTA and all relevant stakeholders to understand the current challenges in the technology transformation process and recommend steps to formulate interventions.

The outcomes of this initiative are expected under three main tracks. The first track, Strengthening Digital Governance, focuses on assessing the current processes to drive Digital Transformation across the public sector, change management, capability development, monitoring and evaluation, and institutional capacity building.

The second track, Accelerate Delivery of Digital Govt. and Services, focuses on prioritizing initiatives to develop a roadmap, including capacity development needs of ICTA and relevant agencies.

The final track, Resilient and Competitive Digital Economy, will focus on the need for businesses to adopt digital tools,  services and digital skills development.

Director, Monitoring and Evaluation ICTA, stated, “we are excited that the World Bank Group has teamed up with ICTA to do this critical study, and for the support extended to ICTA to implement and achieve the intended outcomes of the national digital transformation strategy. We are confident that the outcome of this initiative would help us expedite the national digital transformation process and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government service delivery. In addition, it intendeds creating jobs and enhance the revenue from the IT-BPM industry and improve the wellbeing of the citizens across all the regions of the country.”

The World Bank mission team will be led by Ms. Serene Ho Fung Ying - Senior Digital Development Specialist,  and consist of Siddhartha Raja - Senior Digital Development Specialist, Jonathan Marskell - Senior Program Officer, and Aneesa Mendis - Consultant, Agenda Singh - Senior Digital Development Specialist, Sebastian Foo - Senior Consultant, Ami Dalal -Senior Investment Officer  IFC, Gohar Malumyan - Consultant, and Roshani George - Team Assistant.

Discussions will be held with representatives from the Ministry of Technology, Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), and other agencies/industry organizations.

Standing from left to right: Mr. Jagath Senevirathne - Director Monitoring and Evaluation ICTA, Mr. Anura De Alwis - Chief Digital Economy Officer ICTA, Dr.Rohantha Rodgrigo - Chief Digital Services Officer ICTA, Mr. Kanchana Thudugala - Chief Digital Government Officer ICTA, Mr. Jonathan Marskell - Senior Programs Officer  World Bank,    Ms. Serene Ho - Senior Digital Development Specialist World Bank, Mr. Siddhartha Raja - Senior Digital Development Specialist World Bank, Mr.Oshada Senanayake - Chairman ICTA, Mr. Jayantha Fernando -General Counsel ICTA, and Ms. Aneesa Mendis - Consultant, World Bank.