The Sri Lanka Association of Software and Service Companies, SLASSCOM the unified national IT/BPO industry association announced its support to the presidential initiative to enhance the IT and English literacy in the country by providing computer facilities to one hundred rural village schools.

The ‘Year of English and IT’ is launched as a major initiative of the Government to help Sri Lanka meet the demands of the 21st century in skills and capacity, making the availability as a life skill for the rural sector.

President Rajapaksa said his Government lays emphasis on the unmistakable need to urgently equip the people, especially the youth, with proficiency in the English language on the one side and to provide them with access to computers and internet facilities, through the rapid development of use of information technology, on the other.

“I pledge the total commitment of my Government to accelerated action to widen the knowledge of English and IT in Sri Lanka, and look to this Year of English and IT to lay the groundwork for tangible success in these vital fields for the progress of Sri Lanka.” said President Rajapaksa at the event organised to launch the Year of English and IT.

Ranjith Fernando Chairman SLASSCOM said “The presidential initiative is a very timely and absolutely crucial initiative to lead the country towards a knowledge driven society. IT literacy and English language competence are essential for success in the future. We are delighted to be part of this initiative and pledge to support the national objective of 50% IT literacy in the country”.

Mr. Ranjith Fernando coordinates the IT initiative of the Presidential Task Force set up to drive the “Year of English and IT” initiative of the Government.

Leading IT/BPO companies such as Intel, Virtusa, Microsoft, Dialog, JKCS, hSenid, Amba Research, Eurocenter, IFS, WNS and many SLASSCOM member companies have proactively initiated diverse Corporate Social Responsibility programs giving impetus to the rural schools and the educational system to support an IT literate future.

SLASSCOM act as a catalyst of growth of the Sri Lankan IT and BPO industry by facilitating trade and business, propagation of education and employment, encouragement of research and innovation, and by supporting the creation of a progressive national policy framework, Visit www.slashcom.lk for more details on the objectives.