FITIS to host ICT Industry open forum discussion with key regulators

On its expedition to strengthen the public private partnership and its advocacy of end user rights such as cases of warranty, guarantee, counterfeit, de-regulation, fraud issues of grey channel and any other denial of end user rights, The Federation of Information Technology Industry (FITIS), apex ICT body of Sri Lanka has organised a ‘ICT Industry Open Forum Discussion’ with the key regulators on 5 March from 2.30 pm to 5.30 p.m. at the Ramada Colombo.

Considering the ‘Ease of doing business’, today, from large to SMEs in ICT industry, particularly the hardware sector dealers and agents face many hurdles, difficulties, confusions and complexities in carrying out day-to-day business due to many irregularities, anomalies, policy and regulatory complexities, market distortions etc. resulting in loss of business and profits. 

Commenting at a brief interview, FITIS President – Hardware Chapter Fazloon Sheriff said: “Starting from assisting Government of Sri Lanka in ICT related objectives like the ‘National ICT Policy’ to protecting the rights of ICT businessmen and professionals, we take it to be our primary focus to enable the fraternity to make way for substantial development brought to Sri Lanka through the progress we make in the ICT Industry.”

Keeping the above objectives in mind FITIS has organised an open forum to discuss, brainstorm and to collectively find ways and means for the ICT vendors to improve its ease of doing business. 

The forum will witness the presence of representatives are Ministry of Finance Treasury Deputy Secretary P. Algama, Ministry of Defense (MOD) Additional Secretary (Development) – Digital Infrastructure and Information Technology Division Waruna Sri Dhanapala, MOD Additional Secretary (Technical) S.G.A.R.K.R. Seneviratne, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Director General Oshadha Senanayake, Central Bank of Sri Lanka Director Information Technology Vasantha Alwis, Consumer Affairs Authority Director Competition Promotion Samantha Karunarathne, Department of Inland Revenue Commissioner (Large Corporate Default Collection) Pradeep Silva, Department of Inland Revenue Commissioner – Tax Policy and Legislation Unit (Secretariat) A.M. Nafeel, Department of Commerce Deputy Director Chandima Kiriwandala, and Sri Lanka Customs Deputy Director – Custom ICT Sudantha 

De Silva.

FITIS Treasure Hardware Chapter Shanaka Fernando will moderate the session.

The members of FITIS could secure invites through the FITIS office in order to engage and contribute to its cause. Contact Nimasha Hatharasinghe on 11 5 460 463 for further information.