SLASSCOM appoints new Chairman, Board to support its next era of growth and transformation

SLASSCOM Chairman Ashique Ali with office-bearers and Board of Directors for year 2022/23

The Sri Lanka Association for Software Services Companies (SLASSCOM) recently appointed their new office-bearers for 2022/23, at the Annual General Meeting held recently. Ashique Ali was appointed as Chairman of SLASSCOM for the year 2022/2023. 

He is the Managing Director of Talliance, and is a veteran in the industry with over 30 years of experience. As a founding member of SLASSCOM, he has played an integral role in supporting the chamber’s initiatives, helping to guide and steer it to its current position as the leading association in the country for the IT/BPM industry. He also represents SLASSCOM in several key committees in Government and State institutions in policy, export promotion, FDI, capacity initiatives. 

Sharing his thoughts on this appointment, Chairman Ashique Ali stated: “This is a demanding and difficult time for our industry, where the needs of the IT/BPM organisations, its people and stakeholders are severely challenged due to the volatile and rapidly changing economic situation in our country. 

“Despite the many challenges our member companies have shown remarkable resilience in delivering on their commitments to foreign clients and investors and looking after the wellbeing of their employees. 

“These times call for strategic and innovative ways to successfully navigate the future to drive greater growth for our industry and country. I’m privileged to work alongside our Board and General Council Members who bring together unrivalled tenacity and industry expertise, which will be a great strength to help position the industry for its next phase of growth.”

SLASSCOM Outgoing Chairperson Sandra De Zoysa, offering her congratulations to the newly elected Chairman and the Board said: “Ashique’s long history of leadership and experience in the industry as being a founding member of SLASSCOM actively guiding the SLASSCOM team to launch many value-driven initiatives for the industry, makes him an ideal person for this role. I look forward to supporting him to make a positive impact for all the industry’s stakeholders, including IT/BPM organisations and its people.”

The other main office-bearers appointed included, Jehan Perinpanayagam as first Vice Chairman and Nishan Mendis as second Vice Chairman, Shehani Seneviratne as the Director of Operations and Feroze Carder as the Director of Finance.

SLASSCOM First Vice Chairman Jehan Perinpanayagam, is the CEO of Informate Ltd., and the Vice President of the John Keells Holdings. Counting over 25 years of experience in the BPM industry, he was instrumental in setting up the first shared services centre in Sri Lanka and pioneered the country’s first rural BPM. 

SLASSCOM’s Second Vice Chairman Nishan Mendis, is the Executive Director and the Technology Consulting Leader and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for PwC Sri Lanka. He has a legacy of extensive experience counting more than 23 years, where he has successfully spearheaded various projects of national importance. 

Shehani Seneviratne, appointed to the position of Director Operations, is the Chief Operating Officer at 99X Technology, heads the SLASSCOM HR Forum and the Women’s Tech (Wtech) Forum. Shehani is also a Board Member of the Women’s Chamber for Digital and actively promotes the participation of more women in the IT industry. 

Feroze Cader, appointed to the position of Director Finance, is the Director, Head of Market Services Shared Operations at the London Stock Exchange Group. He has also been a member of SLASSCOM’s Strategy Council which advices the board. 

SLASSCOM’s new illustrious Board of Directors include hSenid  Business Solution CEO Sampath Jayasundara; GTN Group CEO and Head of Shared Services Arjuna Nanayakkara; VitalHub Innovations Lab Managing Director Dilan Rajapakse; WNS Global Services DGM Shanaka Fernando; SAKS Global CEO Rohith Pradeep; Loops Founder Shehan Selvanayagam; and Inqbaytor Co-Founder Harshani Perera.

Backed by its newly elected Board that brings diversified leadership and industry expertise, the chamber today is well poised to accelerate the industry’s future growth and transformation in meeting its vision of generating $ 5.0 billion of revenue, creating 200,000 jobs and catalysing 1000 startups.