In a historic milestone for the nation’s digital landscape, Sri Lanka’s young innovators have secured a series of prestigious victories at the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards 2025 in Taiwan. Competing against the region’s most elite tech talent, the Sri Lankan delegation earned high-level international recognition, highlighted by accolades presented by the Vice President of Taiwan, Hsiao Bi-khim. This global success is the culmination of the Young Computer Scientist (YCS) Challenge, a premier national competition organized by the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) in partnership with Ministry of Education and University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) designed to identify and nurture the hidden technical talents of school children across the island.

The delegation’s performance was marked by exceptional creativity and technical skill. Leading the winners in the Junior Category, Ahamed Ammar Shiham of Royal College, Colombo, was named 2nd Runner-up, a distinction honoring his outstanding commitment to excellence. The senior division was equally successful, with students from Nalanda College, Colombo, demonstrating remarkable innovation. Thewnitha Piyadasa earned a Merit Award for his "PureAir Project," a vision for impactful environmental solutions that resonated so strongly with the international audience that he also secured the highly coveted People's Choice Award. Further cementing the school's dominance, Team HELIX—comprising Piyadasa, Aryan Senaratne, and Lithum Ekenayake—received an additional Merit Award for their technical synergy and teamwork, positioning Sri Lanka firmly among the region's leading innovators.

This global breakthrough was made possible through the dedicated support and exclusive sponsorship of ESOFT Uni. By providing a vital platform to uplift students, ESOFT Uni's commitment went beyond financial backing, focusing on helping school children grow into globally competitive innovators and ensuring Sri Lanka’s name resonates within the international ICT sector. FITIS expressed profound gratitude to the institution for its steadfast support and for playing a central role in taking Sri Lankan talent to the world stage.

Reflecting on the transformative power of this partnership, Dr. Dayan Rajapakse, Chairman and Managing Director of ESOFT Uni, stated:

"We are witnessing the rise of Sri Lanka's future ICT leaders. By giving these students a helping hand, we are not just teaching them technology; we are empowering them to compete and win on the world stage".

The success of the delegation was underpinned by a collaborative ecosystem of partners. The University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) provided invaluable academic rigor to the YCS judging process, ensuring that only the highest quality projects represented the nation globally. Additionally, the Ministry of Education offered unwavering support and seamless coordination with schools and principals, allowing these young prodigies to participate freely and focus on their innovations.

The leadership of FITIS, including Chairman Dr. Dayan Rajapakshe, Software Chapter President Mr. Kalinga Ihalagedara, and Vice President Mr. Rikaz Moin, provided the essential guidance and mentorship required to navigate such a high-stakes international arena. Furthermore, the FITIS Secretariat's tireless operational work and the immense support of the students' parents served as the backbone of these historic achievements. As Sri Lanka continues to shine on the global stage, FITIS remains steadfast in its mission to empower the next generation of ICT leaders with the continued support of ESOFT Uni