Global J. of Arts & Mgmt.

, 2013: 3 (3)

Research Paper: Fowsar, 2013: Pp.135-139

E-GOVERNANCE IN SRI LANKA: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
Fowsar, MAM
Department of Social Sciences, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka
Corresponding author: fowsar2009@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Public administration, governed by bureaucratic structures built on rationale principles, that dominated the
twentieth century, has failed to respond to the changing requirements of the present world. E-governance,
which is a paradigm shift over the traditional approaches in public administration, means rendering of
government services and information to the public using electronic means. This new paradigm has brought
about a revolution in the quality of service delivered to the citizens. This study examines these theoretical
assumptions about e-governance by analyzing some experiences at the local and national levels of
governments in Sri Lanka. The above stated purpose of the study has been achieved by means of studying
particularly secondary materials. Personal observation is also used in this study. Primarily, the study is
based on descriptive analysis. Major finding of this study is that the governments in both local and national
level have not yet been achieved the goal of e-governance although there are some of opportunities to
implement e-governance techniques in Sri Lanka. The study suggests that proper initiatives should be taken
to the implementation of e-governance tactics in both local and national level in Sri Lanka, to provide high
quality of public services.
Key words: Public Administration, E-governance, Sri Lanka

INTRODUCTION
E-governance is a popular concept worldwide. It
refers to deliver of national or local government
information and services via internet and other
digital means to citizens or business or other
governmental agencies (Kharel and Shakya. 2012).
The numbers of studies are carried out to analyze
the possibilities in implementing e-governance
techniques in the governance process. One of
those studies reveals that at least 500 e-
governance projects were launched globally in
2001 (Chen et al. 2006). Another study points out
that 94% of the United Nations’ member countries
had online presence in 2005 (UNDESA. 2005). E-
governance benefits to government, citizen and
societies and it provides delivery of quality public
services, convenience and accessibility to public
services, reduction of communication and
information costs, bridging of the digital divide,
facilitating the active participation of citizens in
government, broadening reach, and eradicating
distance with citizens living in rural areas
(Karunasena and Deng. 2010). This sense has
realized in number of countries which are
committed to provide better services to her
citizens and to make easy the governance process.
Sri Lanka as a developing nation which is
attempting to incorporate with the better e-
governance practices in her governance process
both national and local level has also realized the
fact that e-governance enable the government to
provide better services to the citizens of the
country.
Hence, Sri Lanka has imitated various programs to
promote e-governance and also involved in
providing the basis by framing policies for e-
governance strategies. However, the government of
Sri Lanka officially launched the e-Sri Lanka
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program aims to improve public services, uplift the
quality life of citizens, eradicate poverty, and
achieve economic and social development
(Karunasena and Deng. 2010). In this backdrop, this
study attempts to examine the theoretical
assumptions about e-governance by analyzing
some experiences at the local and national levels of
governments in Sri Lanka.
METHODOLOGY
This study tries to explain and analyze a certain
concept in the study of political science and it
hopes to get an understanding of how e-
governance practices in Sri Lanka looks like,
besides it gives us the opportunity to see the
complexities of the situation. This study is also to
analyse various factors that affect better
impelemtation of e-governance in Sri Lanka. In fact,
this study is to have a deductive theoretical
approach; this kind of approach is often
generalising as it comes from already established
theories, which one can say is the most common
approach when conducting this type of study. Since
the study expects to use a theory of what should be
included in implementing e-governance, the
materials were gathered on basis of that theory
and the study hope that the premises will provide
insight of truth at the end of conclusions. The
research has been conducted with using qualitative
and quantitative approach. In this regards,
secondary data are mainly used in this study. The
Secondary data has been collected from books,
official documents, reports, journals and online and
research articles. Personal observation is also used.
This study is interested in the character of the e-
governance and its implementation in Sri Lanka
and it hopes the analysis will try and explain the

challenges and opportunities in implementing e-
governance techniques in Sri Lanka.
CONCEPTUAL BASIS: E-GOVERNANCE AND ITS
MODELS
E-governance: E-governance is the latest in the
governance process all over the world. Good
governance can be enabled by e-governance if
appropriately implemented. All the developed
nations of the world such as USA, the UK, Canada,
Australia and Singapore have gone in a big way
into e-governance. Also developing nations India,
China and Brazil have also progressed well in e-
governance implementation. In a simple meaning
e-governance is a form of e-business in governance
comprising of processes and structures involved in
deliverance of electronic services to the public or
citizens. It also involves collaborating with
business partners of the government by conducting
electronic transactions with them and it entails
enabling the general public to interact with the
government, through electronic means, for getting
the desired services. In other words, e-governance
means application of electronic means in the
interaction between government and citizens,
government or business and internal government
operation. The aim of this governance is to simplify
and improve governance and enable people’s
participation in governance through mail and
internet (Prbhu.2004). Further, e-governance
implies e-democracy wherein all forms of
interaction between the electorate and elected are
performed electronically. It is also considered as a
paradigm shift over the traditional approaches in
public administration, means rendering of
government services and information to the public
using electronic means. This new paradigm has
brought about a revolution in the quality of service
delivered to the citizens.
Models of E-governance: Models of digital
governance are still evolving in developing
countries (Prbhu.2004). The six generic models of
e-governance in developing countries are;
1. Broadcasting / Wider Dissemination Model
This model is based on dissemination of
information relevant to better governance that
is already in the public domain into wider
public domain through the use of ICT and
convergent media.
2. Critical Flow Model
This model is based on channeling information
of critical value to a targeted audience or
spreading it in the wider public domain
through the use of ICT and convergent media.
3. Comparative Analysis Model
This model is based on exploring information
available in the public or private domain and
comparing it with the actual known
information sets to derive strategic learnings
and arguments.
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Global J. of Arts & Mgmt., 2013: 3 (3)
4. Mobilization and Lobbying Model
This model is based on planned, directed,
strategic flow of information to build strong
virtual allies to strengthen action in the real
world.
5. Interactive-Service Model
This model fully captures the potential of ICT
and leverages it for greater participation,
efficiency and transparency in the functioning
of government as well as savings in time and
costs relating to decision-making.
6. E-governance Maturity Model
This model is based on conventional software
maturity models, proposes some levels of
maturity, depending on the effectiveness with
which the e-governance efforts have been
initiated, implemented or successfully
completed.
EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS
E-governance in Sri Lankan Context : Sri Lanka is
a developing nation whose development in e-
governance is at a crucial stage. There are number
of programs implemented to enable better
practices of e-governance. At present, 65% central
government ministries and 78% departments
provide static information through their websites
in Sri Lanka. A majority of these websites provide
some general information about their
organizations. A few organizations provide
interactive information such as train timetable,
daily crop prices, etc. (Karunasena and Deng. 2010).
However, the information provided through e-
services in Sri Lanka is insignificant. Although
many e-services are promised through e-Sri Lanka
program, these initiatives are still at the initial
stage of development. As a result, citizens have not
yet had the opportunity of enjoying the full benefits
of e-services. The fact that a majority of
government agencies in both national and local
level do not have a web presence (56%) and it is
followed by the call centre services (46.6%). The
government has already resources to access e-
governance information and services (Karunasena
and Deng. 2010). In Sri Lanka, only 22.3% citizens
are aware of available e-governance services.
Among them 47.3% of citizens obtain information
from websites, 46.6% of citizens use call centre
services, 7.5% of citizens make inquiry via emails
(ICTA, 2008). Further, the government of Sri Lanka
has made significant efforts to develop the skills of
citizens through various e-governance initiatives.
Some Nenasala centers also operate as e-libraries
of books and periodicals for the use of all citizens.
More centers are being established in rural areas
with 800 e-libraries within the next 2—3 years
(Nenasala, 2007). Furthermore, the government
has already established distance-learning centers
in rural areas for providing citizens with better
access to education. About 3000 citizens are given
IT literacy training through the support of the
 Global J. of Arts & Mgmt., 2013: 3 (3)

human resources capacity building program

(Karunasena and Deng. 2010).
E-readiness and Sri Lanka: E-readiness is a tool to
measure the capacity of a population to use ICTs by
looking at how many people have the necessary
skills and by identifying how they are currently
used. In fact, it refers the ability to use information
and communication technologies to develop one’s
economic and to foster one’s welfare. Each and
every year, the Economist Intelligence Unit
produces a ranking of e-readiness across countries,
based on six pillars of e-readiness; connectivity and
technology infrastructure, business environment, Challenges to E-governance : Implementation of
social and cultural environment, legal e-governance had changed the way of living of the
environment, government policy and vision, and people and governance process of the nation in
consumer and business adoption (Dwivedi and many countries. However, in Sri Lanka the
Sahu. 2009). According to the e-readiness ranking implementation of e-governance is little difficult
in 2008, United States is at first place with e- because of its developing status. The government
readiness score 8.95 out of 10 followed by agencies have number of difficulties in
Australia and United Kingdom. Sri Lanka is at implementing e-governance in local level. These
sixtieth place with e-readiness score of 4.35 (Table difficulties arise due to inadequate awareness,
– 1). In the comparison of SAARC region countries, knowledge, skills and lack of awareness to
Sri Lanka is in second position with 0.4244 understand potential opportunities, consumer’s
indexes. lack of awareness and knowledge of e-commerce
benefits and their lack of confidence in service
Table: 1 Economist Intelligence Unit E-readiness providers, political and financial constraints, lack
ranking in 2008 of Selected Countries of government support and technology constraints.
Country E-readiness Rank Low per capita income: Per capita income is very
Score (2008) (2008) important to the implementation of electronic
United States 8.95 1 governance and it means how much each
Australia 8.83 4 individual receives of the yearly income generated
United Kingdom 8.68 8 in the country. This is what each citizen is to
Switzerland 8.67 9
receive if the yearly national income is divided
Japan 8.08 18
equally among everyone. Per capita income is
Republic of China 8.05 19
usually reported in units of currency per year.
India 4.96 54
China 4.85 56
However, Sri Lankan situation is not enough to
Russia 4.42 59 implement e-governance practices nationally.
Sri Lanka 4.35 60 Globally Bermuda has the highest per capita
Pakistan 4.10 64 income followed by Luxembourg. Sri Lanka is at
Iran 3.18 70 160th position with US$ average per capita income
(Source: http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E- (Table: 2).
readiness) Table: 2 Per Capita Income
Country Per Capita Rank
E-government Index and Sri Lanka: E- Income
government development index presents the state Bermuda N/A 1
of e-governance development of the countries. It is Luxemburg 43,940 2
a composite measurement of the capacity and Switzerland 39,880 4
willingness of countries to use e-government for United States 37,610 5
ICT-led development. Therefore, e-government Japan 34,510 12
index is the measurement of e-governance United Kingdom 28,350 22
implementation. In the world ranking South Korea Germany 25,250 24
was at 1st position in 2010, United States was in 2nd Canada 23,930 27
Australia 21,650 127
place and Canada and United Kingdom are in 3rd
Swaziland 1,350 133
and 4th positions. In the comparison of SAARC
China 1,100 140
regions Sri Lanka is in the 2nd place in 2010 survey. Sri Lanka 930 160
The following chart shows the condition of Sri India 530 166
Lanka e-government implementation. Compare to Pakistan 470 174
other SAARC nation, position of Sri Lanka is very Nepal 240 192
high. Ethiopia 90 208
(Source: http://www.success-and-
culture.net/articles/percapitaincome.shtml)

137 ISSN 2249-2658 (Online): 2249-264X (Print) - Rising Research Journal Publication
 Global J. of Arts & Mgmt., 2013: 3 (3)

Table: 3 Literacy Rate

Limited Financial Resources : Financial strength Country Literacy Rate Rank
of a nation is another tool for measuring the Georgia 100.0 1
Cuba 99.8 2
development statues of a nation. It is also Russia 99.4 12
important to the implementation e-governance in Australia 99.0 18
any countries in the world. In this regards, the Canada 99.0 18
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is one of the Germany 99.0 18
measures of national income and output for a given Japan 99.0 18
Switzerland 99.0 18
country’s economy. GDP is defined as the total
United Kingdom 99.0 18
market value of all final goods and services United States 99.0 18
produced within the country in a given period of China 90.9 86
time. However, Sri Lanka is having 78th position in Sri Lanka 90.7 87
the GDP ranking. Swaziland 79.6 124
India 61.0 147
Pakistan 49.9 160
Government Policy and Strategy : Sri Lankan Nepal 48.6 162
government has initiated number of policy (Source:
programs to implement e-governance and it http://en.wikipedia.org./wiki/List_of_countries_by_literacy_rat
introduced its own e-governance program known e)
as ‘e-Sri Lanka: an ICT Development Roadmap’ in
2002. The objective of this strategy was improving ICT Development Project : The government of Sri
IT governance by ensuring more effective Lanka has initiated its e-governance program
government programs and developing IT industry known as ‘e-Sri Lanka’: an ICT Development
and services. However, this policy and strategy has Roadmap. The objective of the strategy is
not been achieved its goals fully due to the reasons improving IT governance by ensuring more
such as lack of knowledge and skills, lack of effective government programs and developing IT
necessity of the citizens in the local level etc. industry and services with the focus of using IT to
improve governance, reduce poverty and improve
Early Stage Development of E-governance : The the quality of life of all Sri Lankans. It can also be
e-governance in Sri Lanka is still in its infancy. It considered as a opportunity to the better
has introduced number of policy programs to implementation of the e-governance.
promote e-governance practices. However, those
policy programs are most centralized. It benefits to CONCLUSION
local citizens in low level. Meanwhile, the numbers Since the above discussion, it is clear that Sri Lanka
of internet governance projects are not successful. has number of challenges in implementing e-
governance to enable to provide better services to
Lack of Awareness and Training : The awareness citizens and easy access of both national and local
and training are other challenges of e-governance government and its agencies. These challenges are
implementation. Aware of the citizens about the like low per capita income and limited financial
programs and its objectives is very important to resources. As a result, both local and national level
implement the e-governance in both national and governments in Sri Lanka have not yet been
local level. In this regards, every citizens must have achieved the goal of e-governance although there
implementation knowledge about the e- are some of opportunities to implement e-
governance. In fact, Sri Lankan citizens have high governance techniques in Sri Lanka. This study
literacy. But their involvement and knowledge suggests that following initiatives should be taken
about e-governance is in low level. to the implementation of e-governance tactics in
both local and national level in Sri Lanka, to
Opportunities to E-governance provide high quality of public services to the
High Literacy : Literacy is defined as the ability to citizens; accelerating the delayed e-service projects
read and write with understanding any language. A and revamp existing government websites in a
person who can merely read but cannot write is citizen-centric manner, taking immediate actions to
not classified as literate. It is very important to the eliminate the security threat to the public
better implementation of e-governance in any information in public organization, formulating
nation. In this regards, Sri Lanka has high literacy adequate policies and strategies for ensuring a fair
and its literacy level 90.7 and ranked 87 in the distribution of e-governance services, developing
world (Table: 3). information infrastructure, building human
resources capacity and making positive influence
on the development of e-governance.

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