FITIS to unveil series of new initiatives to boost IT industry: New Chief

The Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) announced plans to unveil a series of new initiatives to give an impetus to the country’s Information Technology (IT) sector. Spearheading the concerted drive to further boost this vital industry is the new Chairman of FITIS, Wasantha Weerakoon, an eminent professional with around three decades of wide experience and exposure in the IT sphere. He is also a well-known entrepreneur, who has to his credit many accolades on his achievements in the industry. While Wasantha Weerakoon was appointed the new Chairman of FITIS at the Executive Council Meeting held on 10 June, Dr. Kithsiri Manchanayake took over as the Vice Chairman.

The Sri Lanka ICT Industry Association, The Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) constitutes the Sri Lanka Computer Vendors Association (SLCVA) – the Hardware Chapter, Sri Lanka Association for the Software Industry (SLASI) – the Software Chapter, Association of Computer Training Organizations (ACTOS) – the Training Chapter, Lanka Internet Service Providers Association (LISPA)/(TPA) – the Telecommunications Chapter and Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) – the Professional Chapter. 

FITIS has been in operation for the past 20 years as the unified umbrella organisation of the ICT industry in Sri Lanka. FITIS has been actively engaged in setting the strategic direction and developing the ICT industry in Sri Lanka with many programs which have been successfully implemented. There are 200 organisations representing the respective Chapters which are members of FITIS.

 Wasantha Weerakoon is an eminent leader in the ICT industry in Sri Lanka who has contributed to the IT industry for around 30 years and has been working on enterprise content management solutions, IT distribution, outsourcing and renewable energy. He is the Chief Operating Officer – TechOne Global, Chairman – Sanergy Ltd., and also the Chairman of Sanje Lanka Ltd. He was a past President of the FITIS Hardware Chapter (2010/2011) and the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee of INFOTEL 2011. Weerakoon was awarded the Lifetime Achiever (conferred only once in the lifetime of a person) at the National Best Quality ICT Awards in 2015 and Merit Award – Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 – Large Business Category by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce Sri Lanka.

Outlining his future program of work as the new FITIS Chairman, Weerakoon said: “First and foremost, I take this opportunity to thank the former Chairman of FITIS, Chinthaka Wijewickrama. I deeply appreciate his dedicated service to the institution and the singular contribution he made to add a new dimension to Sri Lanka’s IT industry during his two-year tenure. As the new Chairman, my objective is to ensure that the programs of work launched by FITIS are continued with more vigour and vitality to achieve bigger strides and greater success. 

“In keeping with this mission, I have made elaborate plans to conduct the INFOTEL – 2016 Information Technology Exhibition, Young Computer Scientist Competition, the cricket tournament amongst IT companies and the TECH-FORUM initiative on a successful note. In addition, FITIS is optimistic of unveiling a series of new programs with the goal of further developing the IT industry in Sri Lanka. As part of this endeavour, we will be launching many novel initiatives including the publication of an Information Technology Directory, establishment of an IT-related Job Bank, designing an IT training program to meet the demands of the job market in Sri Lanka, enhance IT literacy amongst the adult population and introduce a national information technology quiz program.”

Dr. Kithsiri Manchanayakke is the Chairman/Founder of AIMS Group of Companies which has five subsidiary companies covering various sectors in the ICT industry since 1987. He was a founder member of FITIS since its inception in1996. He served as the Vice President of FITIS for three consecutive years 1998, 1999 and 2000. Dr. Manchanayakke was one of the past Presidents of FITIS Education and Training Chapter during 1994/1996 and 2011/2012 and a founder member since its inception in 1991. 

In addition he was the Vice Chairman of Asian Oceanian Computing Industry Organisations (ASOCIO) and has represented the country at various ICT conferences, government missions and trade shows for over two decades.