Dawn of 2025 brings many expectations to Sri Lankans as the country’s economy showing a promising positive turn. Expansion of Digital Economy is one such expectation. Sri Lanka’s journey toward a robust digital economy is gathering momentum, with the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) at the helm of this transformation. With a clear vision and a suite of initiatives designed to align with the National Digital Economy Policy, FITIS is poised to redefine the nation’s technological landscape in 2025 and beyond.

As the primary industry body representing the ICT sector, FITIS has been instrumental in fostering digital innovation, building infrastructure, and promoting digital literacy thus assisting the Government to lay a solid foundation for the country’s digital transformation. The Federation’s readiness to meet future challenges and opportunities emphasize its commitment to positioning Sri Lanka as a global digital hub.

National Digital Economy Policy provides a comprehensive framework for Sri Lanka’s transformation into a digitally empowered nation. FITIS has embraced this vision by focusing on strategic areas such as digital infrastructure development, skills enhancement, digitalization of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and policy advocacy. The following programs and initiatives highlight FITIS’s readiness to lead Sri Lanka into the next phase of its digital evolution.

Recognizing the significant contribution  of MSMEs to the national economy, FITIS launched the DigiGo program to facilitate their digital transformation. This initiative, piloted at the  Galle Fort area in 2023, attracted  the participation of over 100 MSMEs showing their interest  to adopt digital technology to enhance productivity and competitiveness. In 2025 and beyond, DigiGo aims to expand nationwide, ensuring MSMEs across Sri Lanka gain access to digital tools, training, and support. By integrating these businesses into the digital economy, FITIS is laying the groundwork for sustainable economic growth.

The Young Computer Scientist (YCS) competition is now an annual highlight in Sri Lanka’s educational calendar. Organized in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the University of Colombo School of Computing, this initiative encourages schoolchildren to engage with the digital technology and develop innovative  ICT applications. YCS has proven to be a breeding ground for future tech leaders as evident from  the growing participation in the competition with over 1,000 schools registering in 2024. The 23^rd edition of YCS held in 2024, enabled the   winners to represent Sri Lanka at the Asia Pacific IT Awards 2024 held in Brunei where these students won several awards thus demonstrating that the nation’s rapidly growing  talent is as good as those of  digitally developed countries. In  2025, with the guidance of Ministry of Education, FITIS aims to further integrate this competition into the education system, fostering a culture of innovation among the younger generations.

As technology evolves, so does the demand for skilled professionals. In 2025 FITIS will further develop and customize its upskilling and reskilling programs  to equip individuals with the competencies required for a dynamic ICT industry. These programs focus on bridging the gap for non-IT youth, providing them with opportunities to enter the ICT sector. FITIS is already assisting the training of Government officials on Cybersecurity though a collaborative program with Sri Lanka CERT and ISC2 Sri Lanka Chapter.

INFOTEL  National ICT Exhibition, the  flagship event of FITIS, continues to be a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s ICT calendar. This annual expo showcases cutting-edge digital technologies and their applications to  foster collaboration between industry stakeholders and also the consumers. In 2025, INFOTEL is set to expand its focus to include emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things. These advancements will not only enhance the expo’s appeal but also position Sri Lanka as a hub for technological innovation.

FITIS recognizes that education is the foundation of a thriving digital economy. The International Education Forum, held annually alongside INFOTEL, provides guidance on higher education opportunities in ICT. This initiative targets students and professionals seeking to advance their careers, ensuring that Sri Lanka has a steady pipeline of talent to meet the demands of the digital era.

In order to encourage digitalization among the private sector companies/organizations FITIS conducts annual Digital Excellence Awards (DEX) which allows the participant to evaluate their digital maturity.  Sri Lanka Digital Day (formerly known as Sri Lanka Internet Day) is another event to share the awareness on digital tools and applications. Another major annual event is the APIASIA which primarily focuses on newer digital technologies and how systems with different technologies can be interconnected to share information.

FITIS’s role extends beyond program implementation; it actively engages policymakers to create a conducive environment for digital innovation. The federation’s policy advocacy initiatives address critical areas such as cybersecurity, digital privacy, and regulatory reform. FITIS fosters dialogue between industry stakeholders and government authorities, enabling Sri Lanka’s legal framework to evolve in tandem with technological advancements.

A key focus area for FITIS in 2025 and beyond is regional development. Programs aimed at promoting digital literacy and inclusion in underserved areas are central to this effort. By empowering communities with access to technology and training, FITIS is bridging the digital divide and ensuring that the benefits of the digital economy are equitably distributed.

Startups are the lifeblood of innovation, and FITIS is committed to nurturing this ecosystem. The federation provides mentorship, funding assistance, and resources to budding entrepreneurs, fostering a culture of creativity and risk-taking. In the coming years, FITIS aims to establish dedicated innovation hubs to accelerate the growth of startups, particularly in emerging sectors like FinTech and MedTech.

As Sri Lanka navigates the complexities of the digital age, FITIS’s vision for 2025 and beyond is both ambitious and achievable. The federation is committed to expanding digital infrastructure, enhancing digital literacy, promoting innovation, and fostering inclusivity to ensure all segments of society benefit from the digital economy.

FITIS is already a member of two major regional organizations, namely Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) and Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO) which allows FITIS members to connect with ICT companies in more than 20 regional countries. In 2025 FITIS plans to expand direct relationships to countries such as Vietnam, Singapore, Nepal, Indonesia etc, allowing Sri Lanka’s IT companes including startups and MSMEs to expand their market reach.

Chairman Indika De Zoysa emphasized, "This engagement at the highest level of government sends a powerful message about the importance of digital transformation in Sri Lanka’s growth strategy." FITIS’s readiness to lead Sri Lanka’s digital transformation is evident in its comprehensive approach and diverse initiatives. As 2025 unfolds, FITIS’s efforts will undoubtedly accelerate Sri Lanka’s journey toward becoming a global digital powerhouse.