Sri Lanka’s Telecommunication Ministry signs MoU with Microsoft

May 17, 2018 (LBO) - The Telecommunication, Digital Infrastructure and Foreign Employment Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft in Sri Lanka to provide effective citizen services. The agreement will take us a step closer to the island's e-Government Policy and plans for digital transformation being realised, Harin Fernando, minister of Telecommunication, Digital Infrastructure and Foreign Employment said. "Although it was long-overdue, this is a significant milestone for Sri Lanka to drive the country’s digital transformation." The MoU will cover areas such as the establishment and implementation of the digital transformation blueprint for the Government; public sector capacity building and productivity enhancement; a software procurement program to ensure a secure and seamless collaborative working environment for the public sector for better citizen services; a cyber-security risk assessment across the Government and security programs; skills development for students with a special focus on the implementation of ‘Smart Classrooms’ and digital education; and technical assistance and expertise on the e-Govt. policy and plan. “Signing this MoU with the Government of Sri Lanka is a landmark in our journey of 14 years in the country. It is a confirmation of our long term commitment,  in keeping with our mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more,” Hasitha Abeywardena, country manager for Microsoft in Sri Lanka and Maldives said. "Microsoft brings to the table the unique ability to provide a hybrid cloud environment with the best of both the public and private cloud to Sri Lanka," "Even more importantly, it’s about empowering everyone to fully participate in our society and our economy using technology to drive greater investment opportunity and foreign direct invest to the country.”