ISACA celebrates 50th year global and 25th year Sri Lankan chapter anniversary

The Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) is an independent, non-profit, global association. ISACA engages in the development, adoption and use of globally accepted, industry-leading knowledge and practices for information systems. 

With its inception in 1969 headquartered in USA, ISACA has chapters in 150 countries globally. Through its comprehensive guidance and services, ISACA defines the roles of information systems governance, security, privacy, audit and assurance professionals worldwide. 

The ISACA Sri Lanka chapter was formed in 1996 by a group of professionals. Currently it has a member base of 250-plus professionals and student members in Sri Lanka. This includes CXOs from top companies in the country. ISACA Sri Lanka Chapter, which is part of FITIS has added lot of value to its members and community in general over the past two-and-a-half decades. 

ISACA Sri Lanka Chapter has four student chapters in leading universities – UCSC, NSBM, SLIIT, and University of Kelaniya – and has associations with professional bodies such as CA Sri Lanka, ISC2 and SLASSCOM Cyber Security Centre of Excellence. 

ISACA Sri Lanka Chapter had its 2020 AGM along with the 50th year (global) celebration award ceremony at Hilton Colombo Residencies, Colombo-2, on 27 February 2020, in a grand scale. This was attended by nearly 100 ISACA members and industry professionals. The AGM began with lighting the oil lamp and national anthem. 

Thereafter, the last year meeting minutes was adopted, a summary of the 2019 ISACA events video was presented, which was followed by discussion on motions, adoption of annual accounts for the year 2019 and appointment of the auditors for the year 2020. The AGM concluded with the ISACA Sri Lanka Chapter President Sithira Wanniarachchi’s speech ‘Milestones of 2019 and Strategic Decisions of 2020’ and Secretary Lakmal Embuldeniya’s vote of thanks. 

Sithira Wanniarachchi emphasised the focus on increasing the professional membership in Sri Lanka and involvement of female participation (women empowerment) in ISACA activities, whilst increasing the cyber security awareness, conducting workshops and trainings for the year 2020.

On completion of the AGM 2020, the 50th year celebration award ceremony began by recognising the ISACA Sri Lanka chapter’s past presidents, since its inception in 1996. The current president presented a token of appreciation for their service to the ISACA community and a plaque to the past presidents. 

At the 2020 ISACA Sri Lanka Chapter AGM, the platinum members (those who have just completed 15 years membership continuously with ISACA) were honoured with a token of appreciation for their contribution to the community and to encourage them in future. 

ISACA Sri Lanka chapter recognises organisations which promotes and encourages ISACA membership and certifications to its employees. As part of this initiative, organisations which had highest number of ISACA members were presented with an award. 

The AGM and 50th year celebration award ceremony concluded with networking and dinner.

AGM 2021 and 25th year celebration of ISACA Sri Lanka Chapter

ISACA Sri Lanka Chapter had its 2021 AGM along with the 25th year celebration at Jetwing Colombo Seven, on 30 March. Due to the current pandemic situation, the event was conducted on a hybrid basis, for the first time in the history of the local chapter. This was attended by nearly 60 ISACA members and industry professionals. 

The AGM began with national anthem and inviting the Executive Committee to the head table. Thereafter, the last year meeting minutes was adopted, a summary of the 2020 ISACA events video was presented, which was followed by discussion on motions, adoption of annual accounts for the year 2020 and appointment of the auditors for the year 2021. Financial statement for the year 2020 was presented to the members by the Treasurer and bylaws were presented by the Secretary. 

This was followed by speech of the ISACA Sri Lanka Chapter President Sithira Wanniarachchi on the achievements for the year 2020. Thereafter, the existing board stepped down since it was the end of the two-year tenure and the nomination committee took over the proceedings. 

The nominations committee chair and pro-term chair announced the names of the new executive committee board members and handed over the proceedings. The AGM was ended by the speech of the New Chapter President Mahendiran Prashanthan on the objectives of the board for the year 2021 and expectations from the members. 

On completion of the AGM 2021, the 25th year celebration began with the award presented to platinum members and President’s award to the best performing member for the year 2020.

Thereafter, the top scorers of ISACA Sri Lanka chapter were presented with awards followed by awards to organisations who had highest number of ISACA members in appreciation for their encouragement and sponsorship.

The newly appointed president of ISACA Sri Lanka Chapter presented a plaque in appreciation to the contribution by immediate past president Sithira Wanniarachchi.

This was followed by presentation of token of appreciation to the past presidents by the newly appointed ISACA Sri Lanka Chapter President.

A special video consisting of memory lane photos from 1996 onwards was demonstrated to recap the journey and a special 25th year anniversary cake was cut to rejoice the success and growth of the ISACA Sri Lanka chapter.

The AGM and 25th year celebration concluded with the vote of thanks by the executive board committee member Lakmal Embuldeniya. This was followed by dinner and networking.