Web-Based Information System For Rural Community In Kalutara District

Abstract

With the latest developments in Sri Lanka there was an increasing demand for the use of Information technology in the day-to-day life. Though the demand was very high the knowledge and the information technology facilities had not reached for almost entire community of Sri Lanka, especially the rural and the poor community living in Kalutara District. The people in Kalutara District did not use the technologies such as Internet, E-Mail, Net-meeting, due to the high cost. The main objective of this project was to develop a web-based information system for the Kalutara District. This system created opportunities for the general public especially lower income groups and disabilities, to participate in the process of economic development by providing vital information accurately and quickly using advance communication technology. Moreover the information and other services provided free of charges. To meet this requirement a web site was developed using Dreamweaver MX software,. Forms were designed using Active Server Page technology that enabled to enter details of the questionnaires to a database. The graphics were designed by using Fireworks MX, Photoshop 7 and CorelDraw 11. The web site was uploaded to Internet by using ws_ftp pro. The result of this project was a web-based information system for the rural community in Kalutara District. This information system provided an easy access for vital information about Kalutara District, services such an Internet, E-Mail, Netmeeting and Information about all over the world. There were ten Village Information Centers (VIC) and one Community Information Centre (CIC) at Horana. The community in this area could use either one of VIC or CIC to log on to www.kalutara.org web site. The information on the web site was published in three main languages that were commonly used in Sri Lanka. A search engine could be added to provide search facilities and an online registration facility could be provided. A web server could be maintained at the Community Information Centre and the web site also could be hosted from there.