FITIS appoints new board for 2024/2025

Newly elected Board

FITIS Chairman Indika De Zoysa addressing the AGM 

The Federation of Information Technology (Guarantee) Ltd. (FITIS) held its Annual General Meeting – 2024 on 30 April at the Hilton Colombo Residencies. 

During the meeting, new officials were appointed to the Board of Directors and Chapter Executive Committees. 

Indika De Zoysa was appointed as the Chairman for the second successive term. Addressing the gathering De Zoysa commented on the FITIS commitment towards supporting the Government of Sri Lanka in implementing the National Digital Economy Strategy – 2030. FITIS was involved in formulating the proposals for this strategy through its representation in the expert committees.

FTIS is currently involved in several key strategic areas in developing the Digital Economy. He invited all FITIS members to join hands in developing and improving Sri Lanka’s ICT sector with the goal of exceeding $ 15 billion contribution to National Economy. 

The Presidents of the FITIS Chapters, also highlighted the activities and achievements from the last year.

FITIS is now focused on ICT Industry development projects in addition to its regular annual events. Capacity building, introducing digital technologies to SMEs, popularising ICT technology through regional events, continuous discussions with relevant government authorities to resolve issues faced by the industry, are some of the main initiatives undertaken by the FITIS.

Assistance to SMEs for the growth of their business through DigiGo project, helping Startups to reach out to investors and find local and global markets through Startup IT are two major development projects carried out by FITIS. In capacity building, FITIS works closely with Ministry of Technology, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment, Sri Lanka CERT and ICTA, to provide professional training for Government officers, train and employ youth from Government beneficiary programs, and hire and train non-IT persons for suitable employment in the ICT Sector. FITIS is planning to hold regional level events such as DigiGo, Education Forum and Mini-INFOTEL to popularise the ICT Technology in local areas. Apart from the Government Ministries and other agencies, FITIS is collaborating with organisations such as Lanka Pay, LK Domain Registry, Colombo Chapter of ISC2, etc., for the success of these projects. 

A major project FITIS has undertaken during the past two decades is the popularising ICT among school children through “Young Computer Scientist” to promote the use of ICT applications. Winning projects are submitted to the Asia Pacific IT Awards Competition. Ministry of Education and University of Colombo School of Computing are partners of this project.

FITIS holds several annual events to introduce new digital technologies and applications, and to recognise achievements of individuals and organisations who have contributed to the country’s digital transformation. Among these, the flagship event of FITIS, INFOTEL National ICT Expo and the APIAsia are more focused on the technologies and their applications in various industry sectors. Digital Excellence Awards and Technology Channel Forum are aimed at recognising the efforts by the organisations and individuals in the digitalisation process. FITIS provides career guidance and opportunities available in the ICT Industry for students who wish to pursue their higher studies in ICT and to join the industry, through the Education Forum.

FITIS conducts the unique event, Open Forum to discuss the challenges faced by the ICT Industry with the relevant government authorities. During the forum FITIS members are given to opportunity to present their challenges to the Government regulators such as Ministry of Finance, and IRD, CBSL, TRC, Sri Lanka Customs.

FITIS is working closely with the Export Development Board and Industrial Development Board to create business opportunities for FITS members and to expand the ICT Industry sector. Further, as part of its effort to develop the ICT Sector, FITIS holds regular discussions with the Ministry of Finance and other relevant Government authorities to resolve issues and challenges faced by the ICT Industry.