PARLIAMENT

The Mobile App of the Parliament of Sri Lanka was chosen as the winner of the Government and Citizen Engagement category at the ‘e-Swabhimani Digital Social Impact Awards - 2018’ ceremony organized by the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka. The ceremony was held on the 29^th of November 2018 at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo. This is the second time that Parliament’s Mobile App has been recognized as a winner at this competition which was held for the 8^th consecutive year, previously winning in 2016.

e-Swabhimani is an initiative of the ICTA aimed at recognizing excellence in digital content creation and was launched in 2009. It also serves as a stepping stone to the World Summit Award (WSA), a global initiative implemented within the framework of the United Nations’ World Summit on Information Society (WSIS). This year’s competition was conducted under nine categories and winners were selected after evaluation by a Grand Jury which comprised of eminent experts drawn from various fields.

The Jurors’ Evaluation reads as follows:

“At a time in Sri Lanka where mobile penetration and use of apps is increasing at a rapid pace, utilization of the technology for the benefit of the public by connecting citizens to the activities of the parliament as well as its offices and members, is a timely and important initiative. This app will allow all citizens of the country, unbiased and equal opportunity to engage with their parliamentary members and their offices, thus providing direct access to get their problems, questions and issues cleared and resolved.

The app allows real time video streaming on parliament activities, as such will enable transparency in to the activities, conduct and decisions made by the parliamentarians, thus maximizing public’s understandings of the proceedings.

This is the first government mobile app in all three languages, which is appropriate as it allows all citizens to engage without a language barrier, thus encouraging involvement in shaping the country, in true meaning of creating a digital social impact.”