FITIS launches new initiatives

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry in Sri Lanka has witnessed significant forward-movement over the years and is today in the transitional process of evolving itself into a knowledge-based society with an outreach for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Chairman, Federation of Information Technology Industry, Sri Lanka (FITIS), Chinthaka Wijewickrama told the FITIS AGM at the Colombo Hilton Residency recently.

The organisation's program of work for 2015 was launched on that day.

There are around 75,000 persons actively involved in the IT industry in Sri Lanka at present. By 2020, the country will need a 200,000-strong workforce in terms of human resources to fuel the economy and push it to greater heights. By then, every single citizen in Sri Lanka will be using a smart mobile phone. In the foreseeable future, every literate citizen will have access to a laptop or a smartphone and log on to the internet.

"We have a clear vision to guide the ICT industry in the backdrop of this enormous socio-economic transition unfolding in this vital segment. As a responsible organisation, FITIS has developed an innovative program to cater to the evolving changes and also meet the challenges ahead. We are ready to launch this novel initiatives," he said.

"FITIS has mapped out a program of action encompassing many initiatives to be implemented in 2015 with the sole objective of contributing towards the overall development and progress of the ICT industry in Sri Lanka.

The INFOTEL - 2015 information and Technology Exhibition, proposed launch of a National ICT Directory, Program to improving IT literacy among senior citizens, establishment of a proposed Employment Bank for ICT sector, implementation of a waste management project, strengthening the cordial relationships with regional ICT organisations, starting of regional chapters and newest in Jaffna, conducting the APICTA Computer Software Contest and the Young Computer Scientists competition, introducing the National Information Technology Quiz program, creation of IT Societies in schools which will to linked to FITIS, conducting the Tech-Forum Workshops, implementing professional and amateur training programs and organising friendly cricket matches to further develop cordial ties among IT vendors, are some of the key projects lined up by FITIS," Wijewickrama said.

The Sri Lanka Computer Vendors Association, which represents the Hardware Chapter of FITIS, the Sri Lanka Association for the Software Industry representing the Software Chapter of FITIS and the Association of Computer Training Organisations representing the Training Chapter also held their annual general meetings during the FITIS launch.

The new office bearers and members of the Executive Councils of the associations were elected on the occasion.

The Sri Lanka ICT Industry Association, The Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) constitutes the Sri Lanka Computer Vendors Association (SLCVA) - the Hardware Chapter, Sri Lanka Association for the Software Industry (SLASI) - the Software Chapter, Association of Computer Training Organisations (ACTOS) - the Training Chapter, Lanka Internet Service Providers Association (LISPA)/(TPA) - the Telecommunications Chapter and Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) - the Professional Chapter.

FITIS has been in operation for the past 20 years as the unified umbrella organisation of the ICT industry in Sri Lanka.

FITIS has been actively engaged in setting the strategic direction and developing the ICT industry in Sri Lanka with many programs which have been successfully implemented. There are 200 organisations representing the respective Chapters which are members of FITIS.

FITIS has rendered yeoman service to develop and give strategic directive to the ICT industry in Sri Lanka.

Organisations which obtain membership of FITIS enjoy immense benefits. FITIS' plans for 2015 include INFOTEL 2015 industry promotion exhibition, APICTA 2015 on an international scale and the proposed launch of the National ICT Director, which again is a major industry promotion factor.