Microsoft pledges support to foster local OEM partners

From left: Microsoft Asia Pacific Vice President Istvan Papp, Microsoft Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives Brian Kealey, EWIS Chairman/CEO Sanjeewa A. Wickramanayake, OEM Director of Southeast Asia New Markets Pubudu Basnayake and Intel EM – Sri Lanka Liaison Office Country Business Manager Indika De Zoysa

Microsoft reiterated its commitment and support towards Sri Lankan device manufacturers when Microsoft Asia Pacific Vice President Istavan Papp recently met with EWIS together with Intel Country Manager of Sri Lanka Indika De Zoysa.

Microsoft has been supporting local OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) EWIS since 2013 and has committed to strengthen the partnership with the local company in order to build devices that are equipped with the best operating system.

After the meeting, Papp thanked EWIS and Intel for fostering such a strong relationship over the years with Microsoft. Explaining the importance of local device partnerships, Papp said: “Microsoft is continuing to build and grow a vibrant community of people who love and rely on Microsoft experiences, on any device, across all aspects of their daily lives.” 

He continued: “Our extensive network of local Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) partners across the globe helps us deliver a rich Microsoft experience through great devices. I would like to thank EWIS for their commitment and commend their efforts in building a local device manufacturing ecosystem.”

EWIS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sanjeewa A. Wickramanayake said: “We have a 30-year presence in the local IT industry and it is a great opportunity for us to partner with, and be endorsed by two of the foremost IT organisations in the world, Microsoft and Intel. I would like to thank both corporations for the immense support given to EWIS, and our aspirations to become Sri Lanka’s pioneering device manufacturer.”

EWIS set up a state-of-the-art ODM facility in Sooriyawewa in 2013, partnering with Microsoft and Intel. The facility produces over 500 PCs daily and distributes them to the public and corporate sectors in Sri Lanka.

De Zoysa said: “At Intel, we are enabling amazing new computing experiences through our latest technologies and brought to market together with the help of our OEM partners. Here in Sri Lanka, we have enjoyed working closely with EWIS over the past 10 years to bring to market innovative new computing devices. We continue to look forward to strengthening our cooperation with Microsoft and EWIS to drive innovation in Sri Lanka’s technology industry.”