The Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL), the apex professional body representing the nation’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector, has announced the appointment of its new Council for 2026 at the 37^th AGM Of CSSL held at Cinnamon Life Colombo, marking a historic milestone as the Society celebrates 50 years of service to Sri Lanka’s digital and technological advancement.

Established in 1976, CSSL has played a pivotal role in shaping Sri Lanka’s ICT landscape, serving as a trusted platform for professional excellence, policy dialogue, knowledge sharing and innovation. Over five decades, the CSSL has consistently contributed to national development by strengthening ICT professionalism, supporting education and skills development and fostering collaboration across government, industry, academia and international partners. The appointment of the 2026 Council during CSSL’s golden jubilee year reflects both continuity and renewal, as CSSL looks ahead to the next phase of Sri Lanka’s digital transformation journey.

The newly appointed Council brings together a distinguished group of senior ICT professionals, industry leaders, academics and practitioners with deep expertise across software engineering, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data analytics, digital governance and emerging technologies. The 2026 Council is led by President L.G. Heshan Karunaratne, supported by Vice President Indika De Zoysa, Secretary Udesh I W Seneviratne, Treasurer Dr. Amal Illesinghe and Council Members Dr. Ajantha Atukorale, Dr. Manjusri Ishwara Ellepola, Dr. Nirosha Wedasinghe, Ruvendra Gunasena, Chethana Kahandugoda, Lakmal Embuldeniya, Ms. Chanaki Mallikarachchi and Dhammike Mendis. Together, they are expected to provide strategic leadership during a year that combines celebration, reflection and forward-looking action.

Commenting on the milestone year and the responsibilities ahead, President Heshan stated, “As CSSL celebrates 50 years of service to the nation, we do so with great pride and a deep sense of responsibility. CSSL has long been a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s ICT ecosystem, made strong by the collective commitment of our members, volunteers, partners and staff. As we look to the future, our focus is firmly on advancing Society 5.0, where technology is human-centric, inclusive and responsibly applied to enhance productivity, sustainability and quality of life for all Sri Lankans.”

During the year under review, CSSL continued to strengthen its professional community, welcoming nearly 200 new members across professional, associate, and student categories. This steady growth reflects the confidence placed in CSSL as a respected professional institution and a trusted platform for lifelong learning, collaboration and professional development. Through its chapters, special interest groups and committees, CSSL sustained high levels of engagement across all segments of its membership.

CSSL successfully hosted a range of flagship programmes, conferences, forums and Tech-Talk sessions that reinforced its leadership role within the national ICT landscape. These initiatives provided valuable opportunities for professional engagement, industry dialogue and skills enhancement, while also supporting knowledge exchange on emerging trends and technologies. A major highlight was the historic success of the 43rd National Information Technology Conference (NITC), which recorded approximately over 2,000 professional engagements, making it one of the most impactful editions in the conference’s history. NITC served as a powerful platform for thought leadership, innovation and regional collaboration, reaffirming CSSL’s position as the premier convener of Sri Lanka’s ICT community.

Youth engagement and future talent development remained a key priority for CSSL. The launch of the ESU GenZ Chapter, the sixth GenZ chapter under CSSL, underscored its long-standing commitment to innovation, youth empowerment and nurturing future-ready professionals who will shape the country’s digital future. These initiatives align closely with the principles of Society 5.0, ensuring that technological progress remains people-centric and socially responsive.

CSSL also marked its 49th anniversary with the opening of a newly refurbished Secretariat, symbolizing both continuity and renewal. The upgraded Secretariat provides a modern, functional environment to support governance, collaboration and the effective delivery of the Society’s programmes, while honouring CSSL’s rich institutional legacy and long-term sustainability.

Further strengthening cross-sector collaboration, CSSL signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, reflecting a shared vision to integrate the strengths of technology and law in addressing emerging national and professional challenges. This collaboration was further reinforced through the successful hosting of the ICT Law Conference themed “Law in the Digital Pulse,” which explored how legal professionals can effectively leverage information technology systems and emerging technologies to enhance professional excellence and outcomes. The conference facilitated meaningful dialogue on the intersection of law and technology and highlighted CSSL’s commitment to cross-disciplinary knowledge sharing.

Beyond events and infrastructure, CSSL continued to expand partnerships with government institutions, academia, industry stakeholders and international organisations. These collaborations remain critical in advancing national ICT priorities, promoting digital literacy, contributing to policy dialogue and positioning Sri Lanka within the global digital economy.

As Sri Lanka progresses towards a resilient and inclusive digital economy, CSSL reaffirmed its commitment to upholding professional standards, promoting ethical and responsible use of technology, strengthening member value, empowering youth and emerging professionals and contributing meaningfully to national development. The appointment of the 2026 Council, alongside the celebration of 50 years of service, marks a defining moment of reflection, pride and renewed purpose for the Computer Society of Sri Lanka as it continues to lead the nation confidently into the era of Society 5.0.

Image Caption : Seated (from left to right):

Assistant Secretary: Dr. Manjusri Wickramasinghe(Senior Lecturer, UCSC), Secretary: Mr. Udesh I. W. Seneviratne (Additional DG, ITMD), President: Mr. Heshan Karunaratne(Director, School of Computing and Engineering, National Institute of Business Management(NIBM)), Vice President: Mr. Indika De Zoysa (Strategic Adviser/Vice President, Huawei Technologies Lanka), Treasurer: Dr. Amal Illesinghe (Non-Executive Director, Bank of Ceylon)

Standing (from left to right):

Council Member: Mrs. Chanaki Mallikarachchi(Director ICT, Ministry of Digital Economy), Student Counsellor: Mr. Ruvendra Gunasena(Director of Group IT and Processes, Hemas Holdings PLC), Publication Secretary: Mr. Lakmal Embuldeniya Vice President / Technology Evangelist, EGUARDIAN), Council Member: Dr. Ajantha Atukorale(Director, UCSC), Mr. Chethana Kahandugoda(Chief Information Officer / Senior Deputy General Manager, LB Finance PLC), Council Member: Mr. Dhammika Mendis(CEO, Ceynocta (Pvt) Ltd), Assistant Treasurer: Dr.(Mrs)Nirosha Wedasinghe(Senior Lecturer, KDU).