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The Moratuwa University Faculty of Information Technology (FIT) highlighted that Sri Lanka is expected to earn USD 5 million from the country’s Information Technology (IT) sector during the next few years.
Speaking to Daily News Business, Moratuwa University, FIT, Prof. Thanuja Sandanayake said that the current statistics reveal that due to the brain drain in the country there has been a severe shortage of IT professionals.
“The brain drain or the migration of professionals for overseas employment has become a threat to the development of the local IT sector and to minimize this situation steps will be taken to create nearly 200,000 IT personnel by 2025 with the assistance of stakeholders. However despite this it is reported that the country has earned around USD 1.2 million from the IT sector this year.”
She said even President Anura Dissanayaka recently said that there is a high demand for IT personnel in the country and therefore this sector will be developed to a greater extent during his tenure. Quoting statistics Prof. Sandanayake said around 85,000 IT personnel are currently in the country and a large number of local IT sector personnel have already left the country seeking better IT related employment opportunities.
She further said the global import-export sector mainly depends on the IT field and it is the country’s responsibility to take this sector to a remarkable position. She further observed that the time has also come to re-brand the country’s IT sector and this could be easily done through the National Budget which will be presented shortly.
Ananda Kannangara
