OPA Annual Conference to inspire professionals through digital knowhow

By Divya Thotawatte

In an effort to inspire professionals to innovate in designing new products and services through digital technology to satisfy the changing societal needs, Organisation for Professional Associations (OPA) has organised its annual conference to enrich their knowledge on digitalisation.

The Annual Conference of OPA themed ‘Innovative Digitalisation’ is to be held on 26 and 27 September at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel, Colombo for the 31st consecutive year. Topics such as powering infrastructure development digitally, blueprint for digital economy, digital economic framework for public private partnerships, IOT initiatives for technological innovations and productivity technology innovation for human capital development, digitalisation for human capital development and innovation of a core strategy for digital human resources will be discussed by industry professionals. 

The conference will feature local and international speakers including Sri Lanka Bar Association President U.R. De Silva, University of Moratuwa Department of Civil Engineering Professor Senior Professor Niranjanie Ratnayake, BOI Past Chairman and National Agency for Public Private Partnership Chairman Thilan Wijesinghe, PickMe CEO and Founder Jiffry Zulfer, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka President Jagath Perera and Institute of Personnel Director Management Ajantha Dharmasiri.

“Each year the conference focuses on a timely theme that is of vital importance to the country as a whole as well as the professionals. This year we chose the theme ‘Innovative Digitalisation’ which is of great relevance in the present context when the Government is engaged in a development program for the country with emphasis on innovation and digitalisation,” OPA President Lalith Wijetunge stated.

OPA President Elect Nissanka Perera stated that all sub-themes under the theme ‘Innovative Digitalisation’ are connected to various professions and industries to bring out the best methods or models which could be incorporated in to the business world in order to make an impact on the lives of Sri Lankan people. He added that this year’s OPA Annual Conference will help Sri Lanka to come up with ideas and solutions using innovative digitalisation and move forward towards the dawn of a new world.

The Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka was established in 1975, mooting the idea of a joint professional body, to cater to the country’s growing need of professional opinion. The OPA is now in its 43rd year and is the Apex Body consisting of 49 Member Associations representing 32 Professions such as Engineering, Medicine, Accountancy, Architecture, Human Resource Management, Banking, etc. with a combined membership exceeding over 60,000. Over the years the OPA has grown into a powerful Civil Society consisting of an impressive list of professionals in various fields, whose outreach is extensive.

Pix by Lasantha Kumara