Infotel in Jaffna experiences Microsoft's Tamil LIP

As part of the company's much admired Gamata IT initiative, and following the launch of its very successful Sinhala Language Interface Pack (LIP) last year, Microsoft Sri Lanka made an amazing impact at the Infotel Exhibition in Jaffna with the launch of the Tamil Language Interface Pack. The pack was also launched as part of the companys efforts to support the "Uthuru Wasanthaya" programme initiated by the Government. Speaking on the launch, Channa de Silva, Director, Enterprise and Public sector Microsoft Sri Lanka was enthusiastic about the impact the software would have on the lives of the residents in the North and East. "Our objective is to give people the agility to operate a computer in their own language. Countries across Asia have boosted their ICT penetration through the use of Local language software, thereby removing the barriers to ICT penetration because of the lack of English competency. We believe that one of the best ways to heighten the rate of adoption of Technology in our rural communities is to enable the use of a computer in both Sinhala and Tamil. We may even enable them to learn English through the use of a computer - the possibilities are endless." While the current Tamil LIP launched in Jaffna is one that was developed in India, ICTA has gathered a team of experts who are working on a more localized version. Microsoft expects to work closely with ICTA team to explore the possibility of creating a more localized version with a future release of the software. Mr. Fayaz Hudah, Programme Head of ICT Agency of Sri Lankaspeaking on the future and benefits offered by technology he said. "With the long term goal of helping individuals contribute to the development of their communities and the national economy, the use of technology is imperative. Providing the residents of the north and East with access to technology as well as the software to operate it in Tamil is an essential step towards this end. Technology will provide the opportunity and ability to innovate, regardless of the language used". Speaking on the Tamil Language Interface Pack, Honorable Professor Tissa Vitharana, Minister of Science and Technology. "The three decade long terrorism has been fully eliminated and now people breathe the air of freedom. At this time, Infotel has organized a grand IT exhibition in Jaffna. People in Jaffna have suffered a lot during the three decades of war. These people will get a good opportunity to improve their IT knowledge through this exhibition. It is also much appreciated that Microsoft has come forward to release the Tamil Language Interface Pack for the benefit of the Tamil speaking people in this country. I am very happy to see that people from this part of the country can now practice computing in Tamil. Those who do not have English knowledge can operate a computer in their mother tongue. Through this software, I hope the Tamil people in Jaffna will gain more benefits. I also hope that these people will now get an opportunity to improve their IT skills, get more job opportunities and thereby upgrade their living standards". The importance of the ability to operate a computer in Tamil was stressed on by Mr. Jeyaranjan Yogaraj, IT Consultant, Ministry of Science and Technology. "The launch of the Sinhala LIP software saw many individuals all over Sri Lanka look beyond their reluctance to operate a computer because of their inability to operate it in English. Having Vista, XP, Office 2007 and Office 2003 in Tamil provides tamil users the opportunity to make the most of the technology available for their own benefit regardless of if they speak English or not. The benefits of this will pass down to every aspect of their lives, enriching them and making more things possible now and in the future". The introduction of Vista, XP, Office 2007 and Office 2003 in Tamil will bring the best of world class technology to many communities in Sri Lanka, and will fulfill Microsoft Sri Lankas promise to work to ensure that every citizen has access to the ICT tools they need in order to reach their full potential