Computer Society of Sri Lanka unveils strategy for 2012

The Annual General Meeting of the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) was recently held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel and the new executive council for the year 2012 was elected.

The CSSL was established in 1976 in Sri Lanka by a group of dedicated professionals for the purpose of promoting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and professionalism among those engaged in this field, and to maintain the highest professional standards among the ICT fraternity. It is a not-for-profit body.

CSSL has played this role for over 35 years now and is considered the apex body for ICT professionals in Sri Lanka. Internationally it is recognised as a member of IFIP – International Federation for Information Processing. IFIP is the leading multinational organisation in ICT, which is recognised by the United Nations and other world bodies.

CSSL is also the Sri Lankan representative in the South East Asia Regional Computer Confederation (SEARCC) which is the forum of national Information Technology professional societies in the Asia Pacific region.

The new President of CSSL is Mahesh Perera. Mahesh has 17 years of experience in various fields of ICT industry. He holds a Masters Degree in Computer Engineering from the State University, former USSR and an MBA from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Mahesh is at present working for the Parliament of Sri Lanka as the Director - Information Systems & Management.

The new executive council is as follows:

Mahesh Perera – President (Director Information Systems & Management, Parliament of Sri Lanka)

Ajith Salgado – Vice President (Head of Information Technology, Sampath Bank)

Dayan Rajapakshe – Secretary (Managing Director/CEO, E-Soft)

Luxman Perera – Treasurer (Chief Manager – Core Banking Systems, Bank of Ceylon)

Sanjaya Karunasena – Assistant Secretary (Head of Technology/Chief Software Architect, ICTA)

Dissanayake Bandara – Assistant Treasurer (Managing Director, Lakmali Information Technology)

Kanchana Welegedara – Publication Secretary (Consultant, Virtusa)

Shantha Fernando – Student Counsellor (Senior Lecturer, University of Moratuwa)

Chrisantha Silva – Council Member (Manager IT Business Systems, Sri Lankan Airlines)

Prasanna Lokuge – Council Member (Director / CEO, E Soft International)

Sanjeeva Perera – Council Member (CEO, Sumathi Information Technologies)

Yasas Vishuddhi Abeywickrama – Council Member (CEO, Lanka BPO Academy)

“The main focus of the strategy is to make the CSSL relevant and useful,” says Mahesh Perera.  “The strategy consists of three themes, namely strengthening CSSL, empowering membership and promoting right technology.”

One of the new projects that the council is looking at including is CSSL Awards with the view of recognising and motivating those who have served the industry. The new council is also exploring the options of proper certification programs for ICT professionals which have been a lacking area for recognition. A Resource Centre at the CSSL headquarters comprising of facilities for conducting seminars, meetings and discussions will be developed.

Rural workshops will drive activities to promote ICT in rural. CSSL also expect to form Chapters, which are more or less product or technology independent ‘institutions’ to serve different categories of users. Special Interest Groups (SIG) will discuss important topics within the ICT industry to help professionals grow their careers.  

The CSSL will also carry out nationally important projects such as National IT Conference, IT Mastermind program, National Schools Software Competition and International Schools Software Competition.

The CSSL Strategy for 2012 well aligns with the national ICT objectives set out by the President in the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ around creating a knowledge hub. The goal of the knowledge hub has a lot to do with ICT. The Government has launched various programs to increase ICT literacy to 75% by 2016. In addition there is a target of reaching a total export revenue amount of US$ 1 billion from this industry by that time. Currently it earns about US$ 400 million in terms of export revenue. The CSSL is well aligned with this vision and is strongly placed to support it.