Lanka Interoperability Framework (LIFe) V2

The standards in the technical domain (such as network protocols) keep evolving. Their use depends on the current status they have in their respective 'communities of interest'. For example, the transition of Internet Protocol Version 4.0 (IPv4) to 6.0 (IPv6). Though IPv6 is designated as the successor of IPv4, accodring to one APNIC study, as of May 2008, IPv6 accounts for a minuscule fraction of the live addresses in the publicly-accessible Internet, which is still dominated by IPv4. Over time, this may vary as the market forces relating to their acceptance and use play out. 

Keeping such reasons in perspective, the LIFe V2 backing for a standard to the exclusion of non-standard approaches can inhibit technological innovation and progress. Hence, the LIFe V2 recommends only the principles of standards selection and adoption.

The principles stated below indicate the priorities of the government of Sri Lanka in terms of eGovernment. These principles have guided the development of the LIFe and attained the status of being the criteria for selection and adoption of the technical standards.

The principles are:

Interoperability – The standards must guarantee a media-consistent flow of information between citizens, business, the government and must be relevant to information systems’ interconnectivity, data integration, e-services access and content.

Scalability – The standards must ensure usability, adaptability and responsiveness of software applications along with the changes in requirements and fluctuations in demand.

Re-usability – The standards must facilitate in establishing processes and standards for similar procedures when providing services and defining data structures and that consider the solutions of exchange partners that one has to communicate with, leading to bilateral solutions and agreements.

Openness – The standards and guidelines must conform to open standards principles. Wherever possible and applicable, open standards will be adopted while establishing technical specifications and standards that are vendor and product neutral should be considered in favor of their proprietary alternatives.

Market Support – The standards must be established and recognizing by ICT industry.

Security – The standards must ensure reliable exchange of information that can take place in conformity with an established security policy.

Privacy – The standards must guarantee the privacy of information in regard to citizens, business and government organizations, and to respect and enforce the legally-defined restrictions on access to and dissemination of information and ensuring that services need to endure uniform levels of personal data protection.