* Vista,
XP, Office 2007 and Office 2003 now available in Tamil
Jaffna, Sri Lanka: 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 Jaffnawith the launch of the Tamil Language Interface Pack.
The pack was also launched as part of the company’s 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 Asiahave 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 Jaffnais 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.
Fayaz Hudah, Programme Head of ICT Agency of Sri Lanka
speaking 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, Professor
Tissa Vitharana, Minister of Science and Technology said, “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 Jeyaranjan Yogaraj, IT Consultant, Ministry of Science and
Technology: “The launch of the Sinhala LIP software saw many individuals all
over Sri Lankalook 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 Lanka’s promise to work to ensure that every citizen
has access to the ICT tools they need in order to reach their full potential.
Photo Caption: Governor of the Northern Province Major
General G.A. Chandrasiri receiving the plaque incorporating the first copy of
the Tamil Language Interface Pack (LIP) from Channa de Silva, Director - Enterprise and Public
Sector, Microsoft Sri Lanka.
