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Alagiyawanna slams ICTA for providing failed software 

21 Jun 2022

  • Claims software provided for Import, Export Dept in 2015 still not functional 
  • COPA requests ICTA to submit a report on software developed for State agencies
    MP Lasantha Alagiyawanna, during a Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) meeting, stated that he was not satisfied with the role of the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) in the development of the Institutional Integration Computer Programme 2015 related to the licensing process of the Department of Imports and Exports.  He further stated that ICTA does not provide any intervention or assistance to Government institutions, especially those that do not have the knowledge to develop computer programs. He also said that this institution has the responsibility of equipping Government institutions with sufficient IT capabilities and integrating them with new technology. COPA recommended that the ICTA submit a report by 1 July on the software developed for Government agencies, the Government agencies that were advised, and their current status. There was also a discussion on the inability of the Inland Revenue Department to implement the  Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS) for tax collection. COPA directed its focus on the use of IT by the Department of Import and Export Control and other Government institutions that could contribute more towards Government revenue. Attention in this regard was drawn at COPA, which met under Alagiyawanna’s leadership last Thursday (16), although COPA is officially chaired by MP Prof. Tissa Vitarana. Officials representing the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policies, the Excise Department of Sri Lanka, the Department of External Resources, the Department of Import and Export Control, and the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) were present at the meeting. Discussions focused on ICTA developing and advising on software for other departments and ministries. The main focus of this discussion was on ICTA’s involvement in the development of the licensing process of the Department of Imports and Exports, the computer programme for integration of institutions and the development of the RAMIS facility. In addition, projects prepared by ICTA in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Excise Department and the External Resources Department were also taken into discussion.


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