For a meaningful solution all Sinhala and Tamil characters need to be identified and named individually. Subsequently, all individual characters should be allocated into a matrix, specificifying its unique location number. This solution also has the added advantage of being able to use a multi-layer matrix, with a layer where matrix sound values may be stored and another where security data may be entered. Using the simple QWERTY keyboard, it would be possible to access the matrix using any software, with a simple dictionary backup, which would access the matrix fixed locations.

It is extremely disappointing that the quality of “text” in printing and publishing have gone down in Sri Lanka. None of the books or words that had been published in letterpress could be reproduced. A writer will not be able to use any of the Sinhala & Tamil Characters that has been used during the letterpress era.

It is the prime duty of the public to voice to the authorities to correct this issue and make a proper awareness to the public. It would not be possible to “Educate or Train” persons in printing industry without a correct Sinhala & Tamil Character Allocation Table .

If the government is serious about taking ICT towards the marginal levels of the society, the most vital thing is to understand the situation prior to launching any major projects. Is Sri Lanka in a position to accept the present interface of the ICT culture, promoted by the government ICTA? What is the reality when it comes to the average rural villager? Is there anything he can do with a computer? Why don’t we have software in our own languages?

Donald Gaminitillake Colombo Sri Lanka October 26, 2004. Send your comments to semage@mail.ewisl.net Home