FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – The Ministry of Digital Economy in Sri Lanka is initiating a transition from a person-centric public service model to one that emphasizes digitization, as outlined in a recent statement following a meeting.
The main aim of this initiative is to improve the efficiency of the public service and reduce delays by enhancing the technological competencies of public officers, enabling them to adapt to the fast-evolving global technological landscape, the Ministry noted.
During the deliberation, there was a strong focus on the need to shift from the conventional “person-based” framework to a more contemporary “system-based” model.
The Ministry identified several key objectives, including addressing the technological apprehensions of senior officials, promoting interest in digital skills, and equipping officers with cybersecurity knowledge to mitigate risks related to cyber threats and data breaches stemming from a lack of awareness.
The meeting was led by Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne alongside Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Ruwan Senarath.
Given the challenges of training a vast number of public servants at once, a decision was made to assess the feasibility of an E-Learning Platform.
Rather than traditional extended lectures, a “Micro-learning” approach was suggested, which would provide educational content through mobile devices in the form of 10 to 15 short video segments, each lasting between 2 to 3 minutes.
It was also proposed that the completion of these digital literacy courses become a compulsory element in the annual performance evaluations and promotion processes for public officers.
Additionally, the Ministry agreed to utilize computer labs in government offices and schools for training sessions after 4:30 PM and to implement a “Gamification” strategy, which would include badge systems and digitally signed certificates to motivate participants.
This initiative is set to be executed through a Three-Tiered Plan: first, training current officers according to their professional levels (executive, middle management, etc.); second, hiring new entrants who are exclusively digitally certified; and third, developing school and university curricula that align with the demands of the digital economy for future generations.
As a preliminary measure, the Ministry plans to offer a brief 10-minute foundational course on cybersecurity and practical training on the appropriate use of official government email and collaboration tools, rather than relying on applications like WhatsApp or Viber, for public officers.
(Colombo/June 04/2026)
