Towards a National Information Policy for Sri Lanka

Abstract

More than twenty years ago recommendations were made by UNESCO that member states should formulate national information policies. Provision of information in the modern world has become an urgent requirement. In Sri Lanka no information policy has been formulated up to now. Establishment of a National Documentation Centre was recommended to the Ceylon Government in 1968 and a National Science Council was established in the same year. In 1981 the Government of Sri Lanka set up the Natural Resources, Energy and Science Authority (NARESA) and under it the Sri Lanka Scientific and Technical Information Centre (SLSTIC) to function as the national scientific and technical documentation centre. For the formulation of a national information policy, the requirements of the information users have to be studied; the existing library and information infrastructure has to be surveyed and the communications system should be integrated into the information policy. SLSTIC has already established networking and within it sub-systems. Central services are also provided. SLSTIC could be the coordinating authority of the national information policy. The Computer and Information Technology Council of Sri Lanka (CINTEC) has a major role to play in the field of information technology. Prior to the implementation of an information policy the infrastructure of information centres, libraries, documentation centres and archives should be strengthened with regard to equipment and personnel.