ICTA to boost public sector digital transformation | Sunday Observer

ICTA to boost public sector digital transformation

10 October, 2021

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) will launch a framework to develop ‘Chief Digital Information Officers’ (CDIO) in the Public Sector of Sri Lanka. The initiative was launched virtually in the presence of the Secretary to the Ministry of Technology,  Jayantha De Silva, Chairman of ICTA, Oshada Senanayake, Chief Executive Office of ICTA, Eng. Mahinda B. Herath and many distinguished speakers and invitees from the public and government sectors. This initiative is targeted at developing 500 CDIO’s in the public sector by 2024.

ICTA in line with the national vision of building a smart nation, has embarked on a journey of driving Digital Transformation in the public sector of Sri Lanka.  These efforts are undertaken to ensure efficient and effective service delivery to stakeholders, mainly to the citizens of Sri Lanka.

Capacitating the government is essential to make digital government transformation a success. In lieu of fulfilling this National objective, ICTA embarked on a holistic capacity building drive and incorporated a framework focusing on making the government digitally matured whilst empowering the workforce at all levels.

A key pillar in this effort is the creation of a CDIO, a capable and competent individual established within public sector institutions to drive its vital digitisation efforts. 

The CDIO will ensure to drive the digital transformation while ensuring the public sector organisations undertake timely, relevant, and feasible efforts to reduce costs, ensure faster service delivery and maintain transparency in all transactions and interactions within the government.

Secretary to the Ministry of Technology, Jayantha de Silva said, “The Government is fully committed to supporting this initiative launched by ICTA. A significant shift is expected within the Government sector towards a citizen-centric government in the next three years.Therefore, we urge government sector employees to step forward and be part of this initiative as ICTA facilitates Capacity-building, focusing on developing a capable government workforce”.

Chairman ICTA, Oshada Senanayake said, “As much as we focus on a journey of digital transformation across the public sector, a key imperative is capacity-building and up-skilling for sustainability in the long term. The Government CDIO Program would be pivotal in ensuring the introduction of technology as a catalyst within the public sector, harmonizing digital initiatives with organisational processes and policies, aligned to ensuring an optimum user experience to the public”.

The CDIO framework will outline the roadmap of the government CDIO initiative for the public sector. The framework will also provide guidance and minimum qualifications and competencies necessary for any government employee to be considered for the position of CDIO.

Chief Digital Economy Officer ICTA, Anura de Alwis introduced the pool of mentors dedicated to assisting in this process: Ramesh Shanmuganathan, Group CIO John Keells Holdings, Ms. Anoja Basnayake, Director IT, A. Baur and Co., Madhu Ratnayake,  Executive Vice President and CIO, Virtusa and Board Member ICTA, K.V. Kuganathan, Group CIO Janashakthi Group, Ms. Ama Ekanayake, Head of IT, Lion Brewery  and Jehan Mutalif, Chief Digital Officer MAS Holdings. 

ICTA’s Chief Officers and Director, Capacity Building were also present.

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