Sri Lanka Tech Guide – Finding technology made easy online

By Nizla Naizer

Ever had an experience of trying to assemble a computer with individual parts and ending up with more information than you need of a product that you didn’t want? That’s what happened to Lohita Goonatilleke and Rehan Wijetunge, the two young and innovative creators of www.thesrilankantechguide.com , the only online technology product guide in Sri Lanka.

“Rehan and I were disgruntled at the fact that whenever we needed a PC part we had to traipse through half of Colombo and spend hours in Unity Plaza looking for the best deal,” Lohita explained. “And while we were sent from one place to another and provided with different prices for the same product we were finally told that it was not available.”
So the 23 year old duo, who were in Stafford International together and come from an IT background decided to set up a web portal that provides the three basic elements required for any individual on a quest for technology, product, place and price.
The site which was launched on the April 20, provides information on computer hardware and software, listing out the stores in which the product is available, the manufacturer and the model number along with the price.
“We don’t only list the product but we provide specifics whereas when you try to look for these products in the stores they rarely provide you with the specifics which are important but only the generic information which many people settle with,” Rehan explained adding that they ensure that they monitor the products to ensure they are accurate and available as disclosed by the website.
Challenges
Lohita stated that while the Sri Lankan Tech Guide is a web portal long overdue for those who require specific tech products but do not know where to find them, he said that one of the biggest challenges while setting up was getting the stores on board. “Our intention is to provide the Sri Lankan consumer the best available range of products from the various stores in the country as we intend to focus not only on computer items but consumer electronics such as LCD TVs, PS3s and Plasmas which have a growing demand in the country.”
While explaining that the website was still under the Phase 1 stage, Lohita added that they intend to provide a classified section and a price trends monitor along with reviews of products and stores so that the consumer can get the best deal when he has a need to put together his own PC or find a specific consumer electronic product.
Need for the Tech Guide
Stating that The Sri Lanka Tech Guide has come at the right time, Rehan added that Sri Lanka needed a site like this because although people use the internet, they’re not really sure how to find the products they want in the gamut of sites. “We’ve made it easy for anyone who wants to find their products to assemble a list of what they need and where and at what prices and go get them.”
Since its inception, the site has been received positively by the tech crowd in Sri Lanka and, Lohita and Rehan are confident that their site will continue to grow and be more useful and convenient to the country. Since the island and the capital has become more tech savvy and with the push for ICT in the current year, The Sri Lanka Tech Guide is certain to prove it’s worth by providing those who appreciate convenience and quick thinking. So instead of heading to town to find a Netgear ADSL Wireless Router or a Kingston 2 GB Memory Card, log on to www.thesrilankantechguide.com and save yourself the trouble.