The Information & Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) hosted a virtual meeting yesterday (19), with the IT community of Sri Lanka to engage their expertise towards leveraging digital technology in the management of Covid-19 response in Sri Lanka. The video-call had over 60 participants from key organizations in the IT / BPM industry, who were invited through SLASSCOM and FITIS to join the discussion. During the call, ICTA,  Director, Dr Sanjiva Weerawarna, shared the status of the technology platform being developed currently in collaboration with Ministry of Health, Dept of Immigration & Emigration and other government agencies, to support and enhance the capabilities of combatting the spread of the virus in Sri Lanka. Many participants shared their views and ideas to complement and supplement the solutions being developed, as well as other technologies that can enhance the ongoing efforts. Many of the innovative ideas will be further explored and incorporated where possible, with a continuation of the discussion on a regular basis. “With data being a critical factor, technology will be a catalyst in the overall response to the Covid-19 virus and it was heartening to see the spirit of sharing and collaboration among IT community at a time of national crisis” ICTA Chairman Jayantha De Silva. Manori Unambuwe, Director of ICTA, also said that ICTA has set a precedent by hosting a virtual meeting and wished to encourage all government agencies to use this channel of communication, in the current context of social distancing. She further added that ICTA was working towards getting key government agencies to use digital technology for virtual meetings and press-briefings in the near future.