PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION & ICTs PHASE II REPORT Sri Lanka
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Date
Authors
Wanasundera, Leelangi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Technology & Social Change Group, University of Washington Information School
Abstract
Public access to information is provided by a variety of venues that include public libraries and
ICT enabled venues. While public libraries have a history dating back to several hundred years,
the other venues have been established recently with the strategic objective of diffusing and
reducing disparities in access to and use of new information and communication technology.
These are the publicly funded Nenasala (knowledge) centres, specialized information centres –
the Vidatha Resource Centres and the Rural Agricultural Knowledge Centres, and privately
owned Internet cafés that are commercially driven. In addition to these venues, non
governmental organizations, the private sector, and community based organizations either on
their own or in partnership with other stakeholders have established venues to meet the
information needs of various segments of the population.
This report presents the findings of a study undertaken to assess the information and
communication needs of marginalized and underserved communities and to find out how their
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information needs are met through public access venues especially using digital ICT services.
The study is in two parts. The first assesses the macro level environment focusing on types of
inequity in the country, the policy and regulatory framework relating to ICT and public access to
information, and the information needs of underserved communities while the second assesses
four types of venues that provide public access to information based on the findings of a survey
of users and operators of these public access venues. The study draws on discussions with key
stakeholders, interviews with operators and managers of public access venues and their users,
key informants and a review of literature and statistical data.
Description
This research focuses on the public access to information and communication landscapes in 24
countries, with specific focus on public libraries, to understand the information needs of
underserved communities, public access to information and communication venues, and the role
of ICT.
Through field research in 24 countries conducted by local research partners, and cross-country
comparative analyses based on common research design elements (see list of countries and
research design overview in Appendix), the project aims to contribute to the knowledge in the
field of information and ICT for development. Of particular interest and value are: the
comparative look at key venues (libraries and other), and the mix of depth of in-country
knowledge with breadth of global comparison to elicit success factors and scenarios to
understand how diverse populations can and do access and use ICT to improve their lives. All
outputs of this research will be broadly disseminated to interested stakeholders and placed in the
public domain.
Citation
Wanasundera, L. (2008). Public access to information & ICTs: Sri Lanka. Seattle: Public Access Landscape Study final report, presented by Centre for Women’s Research to University of Washington Center for Information & Society (CIS), Seattle.