Digital Governance Challenges: The Digital Divide and Government Infrastructure Limitations in Sri Lanka

Authors

  • Nimal Perera Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda Author
  • Sachini Wijesinghe Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda Author
  • Tharindu Jayawardena Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71435/689218

Keywords:

Digital Governance, Digital Divide, Government Infrastructure, Institutional Capacity, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines the challenges affecting digital governance effectiveness in Sri Lanka, focusing on digital access inequality, digital literacy, and government infrastructure limitations. The research aims to determine how these factors influence the effectiveness of digital governance initiatives and public service delivery.

Subjects and Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 412 Sri Lankan citizens who had experience using government digital services. Data were collected between May and July 2025 using structured questionnaires and analyzed with SPSS Version 29. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression analyses were employed.

Results: The findings indicate that government infrastructure limitations and digital access inequality remain significant challenges, while digital literacy contributes positively to governance outcomes. Correlation analysis revealed that digital governance effectiveness is negatively associated with digital access inequality and infrastructure limitations but positively associated with digital literacy. Regression results identified government infrastructure limitations as the strongest predictor of governance effectiveness.

Conclusions: Effective digital governance requires integrated improvements in infrastructure capacity, digital inclusion, and citizen digital competencies to achieve accessible, efficient, and inclusive public services in Sri Lanka.

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Published

2026-02-23

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): Asian Digital Governance Problems

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Articles

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How to Cite

Digital Governance Challenges: The Digital Divide and Government Infrastructure Limitations in Sri Lanka. (2026). Asian Digital Governance Problems, 3(1), 52-70. https://doi.org/10.71435/689218