By Aisha Edris
The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) along with the University of Moratuwa, officially launched the latest internet browser Mozilla Firefox 3.0 in the Sinhala language under the project name LakApps.
According to ICTA Chief Operating Officer, Reshan Devapura, the introduction of Mozilla Firefox in Sinhala was done to improve the information technology literacy rate in rural areas.
“The government has been planning to improve the IT literacy rate in the country from 20% which was reported last year,” he said.

Devapura emphasised that illiteracy in the English language has become a barrier for the rural community in the country to learn IT and the government had been taking steps to increase the IT literacy rate through ICTA.
The Agency hoped through the introduction of Mozilla Firefox in Sinhala, it would enable the rural villagers, including children, to learn the basics of computing.
“We have to remove the language barrier so that people could use IT and through that we could enhance IT literacy among the people,” he said.

Devapura explained that since 80% of the citizens only communicated in Sinhala, they were facing a dilemma. Due to this reason, they decided to launch an internet browser in Sinhala.
The Agency explained that anyone who wishes to download the browser does not have to pay for the licence since it is open source software.

Meanwhile, Colombo University Professor, Gihan Dias informed that for many years people have been trying to introduce Sinhala versions of software, which have been a great success and hoped that Mozilla Firefox 3.0 would be a huge success among the masses.

LakApps project is an initiative that closes the gap in making computers and software work in Sinhala and Tamil languages. It provides manuals, training and support to enable people to use IT.
Before the project was born, there was not a single way that a non English speaker could browse the internet or E-mail anyhow. LakApps chose the Sinhala and Tamil versions of Firefox web browser and Thunderbird e-mail developed by Arthur C Clarke Institute to overcome the situation.
The unique feature of LakApps project is that instead of just developing applications, they have also have been deployed in seven different locations islandwide.

According to Prof. Gihan Dias, they had wanted mi sites, in rural, suburban and urban areas at Nenasala operators and schools.
He announced that in the near future, LakApps would launch the Tamil version of the Mozilla Firefox 3.0.
“We are in the process of developing Mozilla Firefox 3.0 in the Tamil language and it will be out on the web in the coming days,” he said.

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Dialog connects Jaffna on 3G Dialog

First Operator to deliver 3G Video Calling to Mannipai, Jaffna

Dialog Telekom, Sri Lanka’s leading mobile communications service provider announced the launch of its 3G/HSPA service in Mannipai, Jaffna, following the setting up of the 530th 3G Base Station in Mannipai, Jaffna. Dialog Telekom earns the distinction of being the first mobile service provider to provide 3G services in Jaffna.
Dialog 3G will deliver the unique communication channel of video calling to customers in Jaffna, who will now be able to have face-to-face conversations with their loved ones locally and from abroad.

The launch of Dialog 3G/HSPA services in Mannipai, Jaffna, opens up a world of possibilities offering a range of consumer benefits and a multitude of services and applications such as Mobile TV, high speed internet access and a variety of video based value added services. Dialog 3G also provides a video conferencing facility, which allows users to have live video conferences through their mobile phones with up to six different people in six different locations simultaneously. Dialog 3G is set to transform the overall mobile experience of customers in Mannipai, Jaffna.

Commenting further on the introduction of 3G in Mannipai, Jaffna, Group Chief Executive, Dialog Telekom, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, added, “Dialog is very proud to announce the enhancement of our mobile service in Mannipai, Jaffna, to 3G. We pioneered mobile communications in Jaffna in 2002, and have enjoyed the loyal patronage of Jaffna consumers ever since. Likewise, Dialog has invested heavily in the region and will continue to do so into the future. With the introduction of 3G and HSPA, customers in Mannipai will be empowered with the very latest in mobile communications and broadband technology on par with the most advanced 3G networks globally”

Dialog Telekom put Sri Lanka on the 3G world map in 2006, when it launched South Asia’s first commercial 3G service in August 2006. With the launch of its 3G service, Dialog Telekom revolutionised the landscape of mobile telephony in Sri Lanka, while enhancing its own 3G service with numerous value-added services such as 3G surveillance and 3G Roaming. Dialog’s 3G network currently spans across Greater Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Nuwara Eliya, Moneragala, Ampara, Trincomalee and most recently Jaffna, along with many other towns in Sri Lanka.

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SLIIT inaugurates two Master’s Degree programmes

The welcome ceremony of the fifth intake of students for the Master’s Degree at the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) and the second intake for the Master’s Degree from Sheffield Hallam University, UK conducted in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology was held on 27th June, 2008 at Cinnamon Grand Hotel, amidst a large gathering of distinguished guests, staff and students. Altogether 90 students have enrolled for both courses.

The chief guest at the occasion was Mr Keith Modder, Managing Director Asian Operations – Virtusa who applauded SLIIT’s commitment and dedication to providing IT education of exemplary quality, stated that SLIIT has contributed significantly to Sri Lanka’s progress in this field. Many key IT personalities graced the occasion.

Professor Sam Karunaratne, Chairman of SLIIT addressing the distinguished gathering said: “We take pride in the fact that SLIIT provides students with cutting edge educational resources. Ours is the largest degree-awarding institute in Sri Lanka with the highest number of PhD qualified lecturers in the field of IT. We have produced over 10,000 IT professionals to date.”

Speaking at the occasion, Professor Lalith Gamage, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SLIIT said, “As the largest degree awarding institute in IT in the country with over 4,000 students enrolled for our degree courses and professional development programmes, we take great pride in spreading IT education to every corner of Sri Lanka, to every segment of our society.”

Since its inception in 1999, SLIIT has won many accolades for its degree programmes and training based on internationally accepted curricula at an affordable cost. The University Grants Commission has endorsed SLIIT’s Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in the field of IT which is considered a tribute itself. SLIIT has over 200 academics and professionals engaged in teaching, research, consultancy and software development.

The SLIIT Master’s degree programme has three streams – Information Technology, Information Systems and Information Management – that are designed to meet the diverse needs of professionals who wish to expand their potential and successfully face the challenges in an information-driven economy. The Degree from Sheffield Hallam is a Master’s in Enterprise Application Development (EAD), designed for those who aspire to Software Architects.

In addition to the core programmes at SLIIT such as the undergraduate, postgraduate and Diploma programmes, there are several professional development programmes. The courses are conducted at the institute’s Metro Campus at the BOC Merchant Tower, Malabe Campus, Matara centre and Kandy centre. Specific courses are available on weekends for the convenience of working professionals.

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eCollege honoured as finalist in 2008 CODiE Awards

eCollege, the USA’s leading provider of comprehensive online learning technology to colleges, universities and schools, was recently named a finalist in the Software and Information Industry Association’s (SIIA) 23rd Annual CODiE Awards. The company’s software teams - located in Colorado, USA and Colombo, Sri Lanka - were honoured in the Best Post Secondary Enterprise Solution category.

Established in 1986 by the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the CODiE Awards celebrate outstanding achievement and vision in the software, digital information and education technology industries in 68 categories of outstanding product and services. This year’s finalists represent an impressive array of technology and business excellence, passion and success. They were chosen from more than 1,100 nominations submitted by more than 600 companies.

“Competition was tough this year and that makes selection as a CODiE finalist a real achievement,” said Ken Wasch, SIIA president. “All the companies on this year’s list should feel justifiably proud of their recognition”. The eCollege solution provides a comprehensive, Software-as-a-Service course management system coupled with the best support services in the industry. The company provides all of the hardware, software and support for successful online learning under one roof, allowing schools to focus on what is truly important: creating and maintaining top-notch educational programs.

“To be a CODiE finalist is a terrific honor, and recognizes the diligence and dedication of our software engineering teams in both the United States and Sri Lanka,” said Vance Allen, Chief Technology Officer at eCollege.

In 2007, eCollege launched its next-generation eLearning platform. This new platform unites eCollege’s tradition of stability and reliability with greater capabilities to exchange information between eCollege and the school’s other administrative systems, such as enrolment. The new eCollege platform provides schools with greater control over the look and feel of their online courses for more personalised learning. A team of more than 25 software engineers and quality assurance technicians from the company’s headquarters in the United States and eCollege Lanka worked to develop the new technology platform using the latest Microsoft.Net technology.

“This nomination is a tribute to the engineering excellence of eCollege’s Global Software Engineering team, and I am pleased that the Sri Lanka team was able to make a significant contribution in developing this new platform” said Nalina Wijesundara, Director and General Manager of eCollege Lanka.

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Siemens to upgrade Colombo’s power supply system

Siemens Energy division has received an order from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), for the modernization and upgrade of the medium-voltage distribution network of Colombo. This order is valued at around EUR 31 million (approx LKR 5 billion) and is Siemens’ largest order till date in the country.

Colombo’s power supply system is being modernized and expanded in order to meet the increasingly high standards required for the city’s power supply. This will ensure that the over 600,000 inhabitants of the port city, which covers an area of more than 37 sq. kms., will have a reliable supply of energy in the future too. As a part of the Colombo City Electricity Distribution Development Project, Siemens’ Energy sector has received LKR 5 billion worth order from the CEB to upgrade and modernise the Electricity Distribution Network of the city.

Siemens scope of work includes the augmentation of a 33/11kV substation, supply, installation and commissioning of 390 air insulated Medium Voltage switchgear bays, 40 Compact substations, 50 Ring main units and 72 Low voltage distribution switchgear from their world class manufacturing facilities in India as well as Germany; apart from the supply and laying of over 200 kms of Cables. Siemens is also delivering a Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition system (SCADA) for the Load Dispatch Centre, to be equipped with Siemens’ state-of-the-art Sinaut Spectrum control system.

This system will gather data from 251 substations and connect them to a centralized distribution control center providing real time information at single point, for effective monitoring and control of the power network.
In addition, Siemens will train technical personnel locally and also ensure that regular power supply is maintained during the implementation of the network conversion project.

On awarding this prestigious project to Siemens, General Manager, CEB, D.R. Pullaperuma, commented, “This Project is very important to CEB and the people of Colombo city, primarily because, it ensures reliable supply of electricity.
The project also has the ability to give more power for commercial and industrial consumers without any restrictions. Additionally, the modern technology of SCADA will help minimise the restoration time followed by reduction in technical losses.”
Commenting on the order, Managing Director, Cluster CEO, South Asia, Siemens Ltd. Dr. Armin Bruck, said, “This is a prestigious order for Siemens, as it provides us an opportunity to participate in strengthening the growing Power Transmission and Distribution sector in Sri Lanka.

This project is indeed very crucial to the CEB, and we are confident that, with our vast international experience and proven expertise in this area, we will be able to implement this challenging project on time.”
Further emphasising the role of Siemens in Sri Lanka, he added, “Siemens has been present in Sri Lanka for more than three decades through and we are long-standing partners. In this period, we have strengthened our position as a leader in Energy, Industry and Healthcare segments, by offering a wide range of products, solutions and services specially tailored for the local market”.

Energy Sector Head, South Asia Cluster, A.K. Dixit, commented, “Colombo’s power supply system is being modernised and expanded in order to meet the increasingly high standards required for the city’s power supply.
This upgraded network, aided by the sophisticated control center technology, will not only enable the Sri Lankan energy provider to offer greater reliability and higher quality of the power supply, but also better service as well.”

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Tigo issued ‘Certificate of ownership’ cards to current and new subscribers

The new regulations introduced by the TRC, require mobile customers to submit to the law enforcement authorities proof of ownership of the mobile phones they are holding. The new regulations are to protect the consumer and, in the interest of National Security, Tigo is fully prepared to implement the new regulations. Tigo is committed to protect its subscribers from any inconvenience that may take place in the future and we are delighted to inform our customers that we have been successful in developing a system that will protect and support our customers in light of the new regulations.

We are proud that in a very short time, we have developed a system to issue current and new customers with a Certificate of Ownership. This will be a plastic card containing the customer’s Name, Mobile Number, NIC or Passport Number. By issuing a Plastic Card we ensure that it is durable and easy to carry around. This card will help a Tigo customer prove the ownership of the mobile he/she is carrying at a road barrier or any such locations, if requested by Police or any other law enforcement authority. To further facilitate this process, we have created a short code, #132#, which when dialed from a Tigo mobile phone, results in an immediate message displaying the mobile phone number.

All current Tigo customers are encouraged to re-register their connections at the Tigo head office, Tigo Zone and any of the 29 main dealer locations and obtain an Ownership Certificate without delay. The Ownership Certificate will be issued Free of Charge and re-registration is required to ensure compliance with the new regulations, especially since our current subscribers may not have the connections in their names. Please remember to bring along a recent passport size photo in case your facial appearance differs from the photo in the NIC.

For new subscribers, they will be issued first with a temporary certificate upon buying their activation and provision of the necessary identification documents. This temporary certificate is valid for 3 months, after which a permanent certificate will be issued.

We believe that ensuring convenience and protection to our customers is our first priority. Therefore, we are proud that we have been able to develop a comprehensive system for our customers and to those that wish to get connected to us in the future.
This new card that is being issued will also be used by Tigo to offer lots of other benefits to our customers. These benefits will be unveiled by Tigo very shortly.
This is another first by Tigo.

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AV Corporation’s hi-tech Italian Aethra video conferencing equipment

AV Corporation (AVC), a SBU of the well-diversified PCH Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd., recently entered into another strategic partnership with Aethra Inc. Italy, an industry giant of the audio-video conference equipment category.

This partnership came at the wake of the appointment of Anuruddha Gunasekera as Country Manager of Aethra Audio & Video Conferencing and Networking products in Sri Lanka, a pioneer in the audiovisual and Video Conferencing equipment market, with nearly a decade of industry experience.

Aethra Inc., in the business for 35 years, is considered the advisor and global provider for the development of integrated solutions for innovative audio and video conferencing systems. Aethra has committed itself to lead the communication era of the third millennium by becoming synonymous with its distinctive and dynamic language and imagery.

Discussing this new partnership, Chairman, PCH Holdings, S.H.M Rishan, said, “This partnership has transpired at the ideal moment. The recent past has seen Sri Lanka expanding its technological horizons and moving towards high-tech communication platforms. The decision taken by the Sri Lankan judiciary to accommodate satellite conferencing, to hear case evidence, is a dynamic move towards adopting high-tech solutions and methodologies in different governing disciplines. As a result of the commercial sector’s fast and furious growth, where vast amounts of information are sought after in the least possible time span, we, as an industry trendsetter in the IT & Automation categories, thought it our responsibility to introduce a high performing brand that has global recognition, to support the growing communications demands of the corporate and public sector. This resulted in our partnership with Aethra.”

Gunasekera said, “Aethra is all about connectivity and, with the type of network AV Corporation has, I am positive that we will be able to give practical and customised solutions to Sri Lankan organisations, be it public or private. Apart from this, we are ready to serve individual requirements and specifications. With the increased TELCO penetration and growing IT know-how among the Sri Lankan population, I am confident that Aethra products are going to revolutionise all aspects of Sri Lankan life.”

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