e-Sri Lanka at GK3
World's biggest ICT4D event of 2007 in Malaysia

Dec. 13, Malaysia: The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka is highlights its commitment towards being active change agents in the developmental industry worldwide by supporting and participating the Third Global Knowledge Conference (GK3), a GKP Event on the Future. Themed "Emerging People, Emerging Markets, Emerging Technologies", GK3 which was started on Tuesday (11) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Malaysia.

GK3 is a dynamic GKP Event focused on the Future. GK3 is explore concrete solutions and possibilities within the interplay, interface and interweaving of issues related to the Knowledge for Development (K4D) and Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) in the context of our globally evolving societies, economies and technologies worldwide.

This global platform was gathered 5,000 policy makers, leaders, innovators, visionaries, knowledge management specialists, broadcasters, practitioners and futurists. It is a genuine multi-stakeholder event, and its also attract participation from private businesses, governments, international organisations and civil society.

"ICTA's presence as a sponsor further strengthens our principle that by bringing people together and sharing knowledge, we can bridge differences and play a part in meeting global challenges. We are proud to have the Agency on board, playing such a strong and important role this year," said Justine Chew, Head of Communications of GKP.

The key dimensions of people, markets and technologies was not discussed in isolation at GK3: the main emphasis is on the interplay, interfaces and dynamics among: technological, economic and social parameters. In this spirit, the GK3 is not just another ICT event, but an innovative and visionary debate giving equal attention to the three dimensions mentioned above in a systemic and broader knowledge and future oriented perspective.

ICTA, while sponsoring the event, is operate a stall showcasing its ICT4D work on the e-Sri Lanka initiative and is also conduct a conference session titled 'Government call centers – improving a citizen-centric approach', adopting a new and innovative format incorporating forum theatre. The ICT Agency is also sponsor a stall for the South Asian region GKP partners, thus giving all members equal opportunities to showcase their work.

"GK3 is an important event on the ICT calendar this year, and we are honoured to be playing such an important role this time around. While being a sponsor, we have also recognized the worth of our South Asian region partners, and are quite keen on assisting them by providing them with exhibition space, in order for them to achieve maximum mileage out this event as well," stated Reshan Dewapura, Chief Operating Officer, ICTA.

"This is a year of great significance as the Government of Sri Lanka is devoting increased focus on using ICT for developing the nation. It is also a mandate of the 'e-Sri Lanka' and the ICT Agency is engaged in continuous initiatives to raise ICT for Development. So, as far as 'e-Sri Lanka' is concerned, this is the high time for international branding for the project," said Athula Pushpakumara, Head of Communications of ICTA who accompanied the Sri Lankan delegation at the GK3 event of the future in Malaysia.

The ICT Agency of Sri Lanka is the Government of Sri Lanka's apex body for ICT development and policy direction, functioning under the Presidential Secretariat. Its vision is of harnessing ICT as a lever for economic and social advancement by taking the dividends of ICT to every village, citizen, business and to re-engineer the way government thinks and works. Working on an integrated six-pronged programme structure, the ICT Agency focuses on ICT policy and leadership, building information infrastructure, re-engineering government, developing ICT HR capacity, developing the ICT/ITeS industry and using ICT to develop all aspects of society.