On March 13, 2008 a press conference was held at the auditorium of the Ministry of Education to brief the media on the achievements of eVillage – Sri Lanka project’s Phase I. Within the initial 6 months, a lot was achieved by the eVillage – Sri Lanka project. Visit http://evillage.wordpress.com/ to see the developments.
EVillage – Sri Lanka project was started by the ADB funded Secondary Education Modernization Project (SEMP) of the Ministry of Education with the auspices of the President’s Office in July 2007. The project replicates Mahavilachchiya’s Model eVillage http://www.mahavilachchiya.net/ project island wide.
Mr. Nimal Bandara, the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Mr. Waruna Sri Dhanapala of the President’s Office, Mr. Anura Dissanayake, the Project Director – SEMP, Mr. Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, CEO of E-W Information Systems Limited Mr. Nandasiri Wanninayaka, the Professional Service Provider for eVillage Project attended the event. The Computer Center Managers of the 5 eVillages, Mr. Kumara Ekanayake of Pitakumbura, Mr. Amal Gunawardhana of Nihiluwa, Mr. Kalana Dampiya of Mahalakotuwa, Mr. Krishantha Lansakara of Nikawewa and Mr. Weerakoon Bandara of Damahana were also present at the event.
Addressing the event Mr. Nimal Bandara, the Secretary to the Ministry of Education stressed the need of improving ICT literacy and English throughout the country and said eVillage project will be a good platform for that. Mr. Dissanayake the Project Director – SEMP spoke on the importance of taking ICT facilities which are in the public schools to the communities. Mr. Dhanapala reiterated that the developments in the villages should be done without harming the natural beauty of the villages. Mr. Wanninayaka spoke of the importance of having self sustainable ICT projects in the villages to create more ICT related job opportunities for the village youth. Nuwan Widyapathige of EWIS briefed about the CSR projects of the EWIS.
Nuwan Widyapathige of EWIS
East West Information System donated money and equipment to Pitakumbura eVillage’s independent eVlllage which is situated outside the public school. EWIS has promised to provide 4 more fully equipped computer labs for the other 5 eVilllages within next few months. These 5 independent eVillage centers will be run by enterprising youth and they will start business as soon as the labs are completed and ready for operations. The long term goal is to convert the 5 centers to rural BPOs. EVillage project believes that while developing existing school based computer labs, each eVillage should have an independent eVillage center where more youth and adults can have access to. Private sector contributions are appreciated in this venture.
Mr. Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, CEO of E-WIS Limited with his staff
Phase II of eVillage – Sri Lanka project has now begun and 15 schools have been already selected and the number will go up to 25 soon.
5 eVillage Managers
