Technology has become an essential ingredient in modern life touching the lives of people the world over. In Sri Lanka with a literacy rate of over 92%, the Government’s plans to launch a social transformation and a citizen centric digital administration will not be a daunting task.
The impact of technology on society is profound and has more positive aspects than negative. As a result lives are enriched with the ability of exchanging ideas to work in partnership with others, locally and globally. Technology has also improved organizational abilities in business to be competitive and successful in today’s complex business environment. The Sri Lankan business fraternity has embraced these advancements and clinched the opportunity to apply technology in commercial situations.
Technology based factory system has reduced the prices of essential commodities, and improved the quality, maximizing the output. Large factories provide employment to thousands of people, particularly among rural communities.
Modern technology helps to increase quality and reduce human errors of a product, offering substantial cost reductions and decreasing the overall production time. These positive factors help build the industrial contribution to the economy. On the other hand, as a negative influence, it can reduce creativity and contribute to adverse environmental issues such as pollution. A more threatening concern is the effects of automation on human labour that leads to mass unemployment in rural areas.
Information Technology is currently one of the most sought after components in the context of policy for technology development in Sri Lanka. The country’s prevailing overall internet users stand at over 30% (Approximately 6 Million) of the population and is expected to grow by several folds within the next few years. Also, Sri Lanka is emerging as a global IT destination ranking among the first 50 outsourcing destinations. The Government has given high priority for the development of information technology, adapting novel internet based skills for public services. Computer literacy of public servants, except in a few institutions, is much lower than that of private sector employees. If implemented with proper guidance, the prevailing inefficiency can be eliminated to a great extent.
On the contrary, the private sector, large, medium and small commercial entities, utilize information technology at a commendable level. Computer literacy has become an important criterion for eligibility for employment in the private sector, irrespective of the position applied for. The reason is that most of these entities use some type of computer software in their respective offices at different intensity depending on the size and the line of business. Almost all private sector institutions communicate through online messengers, emails and other digital means. Web facilities provide useful information such as market intelligence, data, customer profiles and so forth working wonders in long distance communication.
While the common rationale is that the invention and introduction of the internet is a blessing, it has negative impacts as well. Being an open platform, the internet lacks proper regulatory controls. Hence, many unethical practices take place through cyber crime. Bogus websites can be created and fake social media accounts established to intentionally or otherwise, damage the social structure. False news can be published, while freely available and easily accessible anti- social pornographic websites have contributed to the escalating sex crimes in the country. Therefore, the Government must analyze and control the contents to curb these malpractices.
Modernization process in a society indicates the adaption of modern customs and habits. The public in the process of getting modernized extends more importance to technology, altering food habits, tastes, choices, values and recreational activities. As we have experienced during the past decade or two, technology has brought about considerable adjustments to society, both rural and urban.
Sri Lanka has responded positively to the enhanced technology in television, mobile communication, air travel, logistics and health with the intervention of the vibrant private sector. Unfortunately however, public services such as rail and road transport, postal, waste management and so forth are not yet geared to accept the importance of introducing contemporary technology. This unsatisfactory situation arises initially from the lack of enthusiasm of the political fraternity and secondly due to the general inefficiency and the lethargic attitude of the traditional public service.
As per the information issued by the Department of Census and Statistics, almost 74.9% of state, semi government and provincial government employees are between the ages of 29 and 55 years. Also 10.2% of public servants are over 65 years. Hence, the Government think tanks must create a strategy to motivate the ageing state staff to take up the modern digital environment.
Also, steps must be taken to face the unemployment issue that arises from the rapid technological advancements. Technology provides employment opportunities but at times takes away the manual labour resulting in unemployment. By introducing machinery, equipment, computer software and information, an establishment, both private and public, will downsize the staff to be cost effective or for better revenues.
The enhancement of technology, particularly in state institutions is imperative to achieve the 2020 -2025 macroeconomic targets such as 6.5% overall growth rate, USD 6500 per capita and reducing unemployment rate and many other in chapter 6 of President Gotabaya Rajapksa’s manifesto. The target is realistic, vision is clear and the goal is achievable. If implementation is done without hindrance with an unshakable leadership, the country will be on its path to the next level.