SLASSCOM, the national chamber for Sri Lanka’s Knowledge and Innovation (IT/BPM) industry, has appointed seasoned tech leader Shehani Seneviratne as its Chairperson for 2025/2026. With over 25 years of industry experience, Shehani becomes the second woman to hold this esteemed role, reinforcing SLASSCOM’s commitment to progressive, gender-inclusive leadership at the forefront of the country’s digital transformation.

Shehani Seneviratne currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of 99x Product Engineering, a global technology services provider headquartered in Norway. With a career spanning over two decades, she has been instrumental in the company’s growth and transformation into a highly respected software product engineering firm. Her expertise covers a broad spectrum—product engineering, delivery management, customer success, and strategic execution. This is all driven by a strong commitment to operational excellence and a people-first leadership approach.

Beyond her corporate role, Shehani has been a driving force at SLASSCOM for more than 10 years, leading initiatives in talent development, global branding, foreign investment, startup growth and policy advocacy. A vocal advocate for women in tech, she has worked tirelessly to empower more women into leadership roles and to amplify their economic impact across the industry.

As Chairperson, Shehani brings a bold and inclusive agenda centered around five strategic pillars that reflect both the current needs and long-term vision of Sri Lanka’s knowledge and innovation industry.

Her vision focuses on strengthening AI readiness and future skills to build a globally competitive digital workforce, driving high-value exports through advanced digital solutions, and repositioning Sri Lanka as a ‘Trusted Innovation and Delivery Partner’ in global markets to increase industry value.

Shehani also plans to collaborate in reshaping forward-looking digital policies in alignment with the government’s digital economy roadmap, supporting initiatives such as digital ID systems, payment platforms and AI adoption.

Innovation-driven entrepreneurship to accelerate the rise of AI-powered and DeepTech startups and foster local IP creation will also be given focus.

Another priority is to promote inclusive, ethical, and sustainable growth by increasing women in leadership, encouraging regional participation and advancing Green IT-BPM practices.

Additionally, through the SLASSCOM Foundation, Shehani will advocate for leveraging Tech for Good—using technology to address national challenges in education, sustainability, and digital inclusion.

She is also deeply committed to next-generation talent and leadership development, with focused initiatives to groom young professionals, mid-level managers, and emerging women leaders, ensuring long-term growth and resilience of Sri Lanka’s IT/BPM sector.

“As Sri Lanka embraces digital transformation as a core pillar of its economic vision, SLASSCOM is proud to take a leading role in driving this evolution. Our focus will be on elevating industry value through globally competitive talent, AI-led innovation, and high-value exports, while fostering an ecosystem rooted in inclusivity and sustainability. Together, we are committed to shaping a future where Sri Lanka emerges as a digital nation—where technology uplifts communities, empowers individuals, and creates meaningful opportunities for all,” stated Shehani.

Supporting Shehani’s leadership is a capable board of industry professionals for 2025/2026, including Sampath Jayasundara (Vice Chair 1, hSenid Business Solutions), Haridhu Abeygoonaratne (Vice Chair 2 and E&I Forum Lead, SimCentric Technologies), Bimal Gunapala (Capacity Forum Lead and Director Operations, Talliance), and Sanjini Munaweera (Member Engagement/B&C Lead and Director Finance, ADA).

Together, this leadership team is set to propel SLASSCOM and Sri Lanka’s tech sector into a new era of global relevance, innovation-driven growth, and sustainable impact.

Photo Caption - Shehani Seneviratne- SLASSCOM Chairperson for 2025/2026