Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has expressed confidence in enhancing the present dismally poor computer literacy rate to be on par with the high literacy rate via his islandwide 'Nenesela' program.

Speaking at a function at Temple Trees to mark the inauguration of the hundredth "Nenesela" at Madukanda Sri Dalada Raja Maha Viharaya in Vavuniya yesterday, the Premier pointed out that although the literacy rate was around 92 percent, the computer literacy rate is only around 10 percent, and that too is limited to a privileged few in the Western Province.

This situation must change via the island wide 'Nenesela' 'e-library' program, he said, vowing to provide access to computers and consolidate IT knowledge, especially in rural Sri Lanka.

Premier Rajapaksa said the e-library programme takes the computer to the rural child who is deprived of access to a computer, as all this sophistication is confined to the city only.

"To date, we have inaugurated 100 'Nenesela' centers islandwide and anticipate opening 1000 centers within the next three years, with a view to having at least three centers in each District Secretarial division," he said.

The 'Neneselas' will have a direct impact on uplifting the rural economy, as it will provide vital information in marketing products to local as well as international markets. It will also provide other relevant information such as crop-related diseases, symptoms and remedies, among others.

Furthermore, they will ease the bureaucracy in government offices by creating a virtually paperless work procedure and will help to eliminate the long delays and red tape.

It will also increase efficiency and transparency in the discharge of duties in the state sector.

"Appreciating our efforts, the World Bank has pledged to provide funds for our venture," Premier Rajapaksa added.