Sri Lanka’s Digital Diplomacy

November, 26, 2024

Dr. Kithsiri Manchanayakke, a past Chairman of the Federation of IT Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS), has been re-elected as Vice President of the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO) for the 2024-2026 term. This appointment was confirmed during ASOCIO’s annual general meeting and conference, recently held in Tokyo, Japan. ASOCIO is a regional organization with 23 member countries in the region.

Dr. Manchanayakke has a long-standing role in ASOCIO, previously serving as Vice Chairman for many years. With the upcoming board meeting in January 2025, he is now setting his sights on the role of Deputy Chairman for the 2024-2026 term. Following his re-election, he expressed enthusiasm for continuing his efforts to elevate Sri Lanka’s international ICT presence. He highlighted ASOCIO as a valuable platform to foster a robust technological ecosystem across Asia, aiming to position Sri Lanka as a key player in the global ICT sector. According to Dr. Manchanayakke, such initiatives will not only encourage innovation and growth but also help bridge the technology gap between developing and underdeveloped nations in Asia.

The newly elected ASOCIO executive committee is led by President Stan Singh, with representatives from a range of countries including Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. This appointment provides an excellent opportunity for the Sri Lankan ICT Sector to interact with major ICT companies and organizations in the region with the possibility of expanding the ICT market potential for Sri Lanka.

FITIS Chairman Indika Zoysa and Senior Vice Chairman Dr. Dayan Rajapakse congratulated Dr. Manchanayakke on his re-election, expressing optimism that his leadership will significantly advance Sri Lanka’s digital economy and support efforts to promote ICT accessibility and drive digital growth in Sri Lanka.