Sri Lanka is in the process of developing its fledgling electronics industry to help propel the island into the 21st century as a Newly Industrialized Country (NIC) according to industry experts. The government is studying the potential for information technology and electronics industries and how they could be given greater emphasis in its industrial stage.

The Government and private sectors in the nation’s development share a belief that information and communications technology (ICT) is a foundation medium for the equitable distribution of opportunity and knowledge within society and communities and a key determinant of competitive advantage of Sri Lanka.

The belief has resulted in a shared vision for an e-Sri Lanka – a vision which will take the dividends of ICT to every village, citizen, business and also transform the way Government works.

Further, if Sri Lanka is to have any growth in the information technology industry. The education system geared to the needs of the industry, tariffs on imported parts need to adjust so that finished products are competitive, and better research and development facilities need to be set up.

Industry veterans who acknowledge that there is a huge potential for growth in the IT sector in Sri Lanka, say one big concern is the lack of initiative to change and undue fears. One big fear is that job-losses would be caused by introduction of modern technology. The industry also needs a large number of young professionals with experience. There are a lot of qualified university graduates in the computer field, but they are not being trained in a specific part of the industry that will make them professionals in that sector and only in the major cities computer literacy is high. In Sri Lanka greatest weakness is the poor telecommunication infrastructure within the country.

Sri Lanka is a developing country with a not-so-unique problem regarding information technology. For Sri Lanka to be a global competitor, a skilled, technologically literate work force is needed.

The right education and skills don't guarantee a good job. In the new economy skills matter more. Skills are what allow people to navigate the change successfully. For workers to be highly productive they must have the education and training necessary to keep them in tune with the onward march of technology. In global competition it becomes increasingly important that country invest in our available "human capital". It is in the knowledge, education, and skills of our work force.