Entrants's Name: JC Ahangama

Country: United States

Field: Information/Technology

Innovation - idea: I researched for three years, made a comprehensive romanized alphabet for Sinhala, and then created an orthographic font for it so that it could be read and typed both in Sinhala and Latin scripts. This system makes Sinhala just like a Western European language. It could travel across the Internet and be seen and read on any computer. It could be used on all existing commercial programs.

Innovation - why it is pioneering: The established technology is based on the ‘one byte equals one letter’ Code Page principle. However, the Unicode Indic alphabets need two bytes to code each letter.

Our dual-script method uses two complementing technologies: the established code page system and modern Smart Font technology. Sinhala could be viewed and edited in two scripts (Latin and Sinhala) that no other language can claim.

Strategy - how it achieves impact: Sinhala has its own Unicode code chart. However, it cannot be used on existing off-the-shelf programs nor can it be used for electronic communication. It cannot have web pages or used in email. This inhibits the Sinhala people who have over 90% literacy rate.

The opportunities available for web and application development cannot be had because they do not have means of publishing and exchanging technical information electronically.

Romanized Sinhala could be used anywhere on the technology sphere. I believe romanized Sinhala coupled with the Internet access would provide the wherewithal for the youth to achieve technical prowess on their own.

The goal is to establish Internet access centers that emphasize learning subjects such as English, HTML, XML, Apache web server, PHP, MySQL and Microsoft .NET Framework. Making technical help pages on these subjects in native languages is the initial plan.

I have knowledge to establish the centers as well to get the translation plan started.

Strategy - growth plans: Dissemination is quite easy. The alphabet is available on the Internet and the font could be downloaded from the Internet too. Locally in the island, these could be provided to schools and computer dealers who could incorporate them into new systems and systems of their customers. The novelty of the smart font is in itself an attraction.

The harder part is to organize a group to translate help pages of various web sites such as these: http://www.webmonkey.com/webmonkey/authoring/html_basics/ http://www.w3.org/Style/CSS/learning#online http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/ http://dev.mysql.com/doc/ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework/aa569294.aspx

Presently, a group of post-graduate students in the US is being organized to launch the project. It could be coordinated with their associates in Sri Lanka as word gets around.

The computer centers would naturally attract volunteers for this project perhaps with the help and participation of local schools.

Impact to date: The response of people who have seen the alphabet and the font has been tremendous. The ability to use Sinhala on the computer without having to install special software is indeed welcome by everyone. The orthographic font also has the good side effect of showing correct way of forming letters for Sinhala sounds.

In the US, the immigrant parents are happy that their children finally have a way to write and learn Sinhala in a direct and fun way.

In Sri Lanka, there is a growing number of Sinhalese that appreciate the availability of a Sinhala alphabet that could be used inside regular applications such as Excel and other business applications.

I have made available the romanized alphabet and the font for free download at: http://www.sinhalaheritage.com/smartfont

The weak Internet connections in Sri Lanka has been a inhibiter of distribution. This calls for my personal presence in Sri Lanka.

Future impact: I have promised to develop a smart font for Tamil next and probably we would have romanized forms of all Indic languages within two years. SMS messaging would be impacted immediately.

Ten years from now is a long period in computer technology. However, in two years, I expect Sri Lanka to become a supplier of custom-made web sites to small businesses in the United States. I am closely familiar with this market. Small businesses in the US are starving for reliable and skilled web developers to make web sites for their businesses.

In three to four years, technology services could be a sizable component of the export market of Sri Lanka.

Currently South Asia has a clear digital divide. The urban West-leaning elite does not much care about the technological advancement of the hinterland.

I believe in ten years this system would bring the Internet to the rural South Asia without needing massive efforts.

Sustainability - resource base: My resources have completely depleted. Three years of dedicated and obsessive work has had its toll on family and business. However, I feel that this task has greater value than anything personal. My purpose of filling this application is to ask for help from an organization that is attuned to projects such as this.

Major challenge for the field: I cannot finance the project any further. Leaving US stops my entire income source. We need to establish one Internet center with computers and Internet access and an employee or two. With my child having just entered college, I am doubly stressed. Debt burden is precarious. Losing just one customer would be disaster. It is sad that life’s events are turning to the worse for the project.

Contact Information:

Name: JC Ahangama - Consultant
Mailing address: jc@LANandWAN.com
Country: United States
Email: jc@LANandWAN.com
Tel: 817-473-9984
Website: www.SinhalaHeritage.com

Bio: I am a 59-year-old US citizen. Before immigrating to US, I have been a printer, cost accountant, export shipper, travel agent and business consultant in Sri Lanka.

Now, I am an independent IT consultant. My experience in IT is extensive and spans 15 years.

My work involves the entire gamut of IT work.

Procurement, building LANs, bridging WANs, interfacing with vendors, finding special solutions, developing application, etc. Some customers retain me on service contracts, others are charged hourly.

I developed network based programs for my customers. My solutions for my customers have been money makers or savers. Trouble-free maintenance of entire IT infrastructures of multiple locations to providing disaster resistant systems are hallmarks of my work. I have experience in obtaining and installing T1/ISDN lines and common network connections.

My web server and email server service my customers and my work.

I have a bachelor’s degree with two majors, Computer Science and Mathematics, which both are equivalent to full bachelors degrees. Other course concentrations were in Language/Journalism, Business Administration.

There are two web sites one related to my IT work that needs updating: http://www.lanandwan.com/

And the web site related the issue I am seeking your support: http://www.sinhalaheritage.com/

The following link that has the most comprehensive Sinhala alphabet available anywhere today is very popular among the Sri Lankans: http://www.sinhalaheritage.com/hoodiya.htm