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NightMembers

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGComputer Society of Sri Lanka

December 2018 IssueNewsletter

New couNcIl for 2019Page 4

Page 7 Page 10

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cssl PresIDeNt’s columN

Dear Members,

First and foremost, let me thank the membership for having elected me as the president of Sri Lanka’s apex body for ICT professionals, Computer Society of Sri Lanka along with the rest of the Executive Council Members at the Annual General Meeting held on 04th December 2018.

Thank you very much for having placed your trust upon us making the driving force of this esteemed professional organization which is in existence since 1976.

As our motto echoes, CSSL is truly shaping the future of ICT Professional in Sri Lanka. This organization has immensely contributed towards the betterment of the members, ICT professionals, society, and our country.

The membership has elected and endorsed 12 members into the Executive Council of 2018/2019 who represent various fields including public and private sector organizations, academia, banking and finance, and entrepreneurs.

It is certainly a challenging task ahead of all of us, given the advancements in the industry and rapid changes taking place around us technologically, economically, politically, and

socially. However, I am confident that we could achieve our objectives as a team and with the support of able membership and our stakeholder.

We unveiled the “Strategy 2020 and Beyond” at the AGM which consist of 05 pillars. These pillars are stemming from our core values – Collaboration, Respect, Diversity, Excellence, and Ethics. We believe that this strategy will enable us to achieve our vision and objectives. We are confident that this is the way forward to stay engaged, stay current, being the most promising professional organization, and the most sought after professional body of ICT fraternity.

The Five Pillars are Profession, Empowerment, Engagement, Our Presence and Digital Strategy.

The Profession Pillar will focus on reaching out to the ICT practitioners and in order to get them involved with CSSL, professional development, and professional recognition. Our endeavor is to increase the membership, Strengthen the focus on Seoul Accord based Accreditation program, and elevate flagship programs NITC, ICT Awards, and TeckTalks.

In our efforts to add value to the membership and professionals as a whole, we are planning

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to setup a facility within the Secretariat to promote Entrepreneurship and Startups. This will be handled through the Empowerment Pillar. Additionally we will continue with the National Schools Software Competition (NSSC) and International Schools Software Competition (ISSC) and IT Mastermind Quiz Program under the same pillar.

The Engagement Pillar is meant for effective interaction among all stakeholders of CSSL. We will embark on new projects to add value to knowledge seekers, regular interaction through social media and CSSL Newsletter and our CSR initiative – “Little Drops of Water”. I strongly encourage our members to strengthen the bond with the society by taking part in all initiatives.

Our Presence Pillar has been designed to ensure our strong participation in various public and private sector forums both in and outside Sri Lanka. We will continue our dialog with the relevant stakeholders on the CSSL Incorporation initiative. This is a long outstanding requirement, and majority of the tasks are beyond our control. However, we shall make every effort to take this initiative forward.

The Digital Strategy Pillar will be focused on automating the CSSL platforms to make membership communication more interactive with collaboration tools. This initiative will also cover Secretariat tasks transforming into cloud-based digital platforms.

We plan to align all our projects and initiatives to the strategy outlined and I would earnestly request our membership to closely work with us to deliver results. I am certain that the membership would be benefitted being part of our activities to enhance knowledge and skills, enhance networking opportunities with your peers, and use CSSL as a launching pad to serve the country as well.

Finally, I would like to thank you for your valuable support and wish you happy holidays and a new year.

Prabath S. WickramaratnePresident, CSSL.

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cssl elects the New couNcIl for 2019The Annual General Meeting of the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) was held recently and the new executive council for the year 2019 was duly elected. Mr. Prabath S. Wickramaratne was elected as the President, whilst Mr. Damith Hettihewa was elected as the Vice President.

The other members of the Executive Council are Secretary Dr. Malitha Wijesundera, Assistant Secretary Prof. Samantha Thelijjagoda, Treasurer Dr. Ajantha Atukorale, Assistant Treasurer Dr. Parakum Amaranga Pathirana, Student Counsellor Mr. Heshan Karunatratne, Publications Secretary Mr. Buddhika Senasekera, and Council Members Mr. Yasas V. Abeywickrama (Immediate Past President), Mr Sajith Sameera, Mr. Shageevan Sachithanandan, and Mr. Heminda Jayaweera.

Prabath S. Wickramaratne, a known industry activist has been with CSSL Executive Council over the past six years prior to being elected as the President. He is currently attached to Deutsche Bank AG, Sri Lanka as the Vice President / Head of Operations and Head of Information Technology. In addition, he is a visiting lecturer at a number of leading government and private universities in Sri Lanka. The new President thanked the outgoing President Mr. Yasas V. Abeywickrama for his successful two year term as President, during which he guided the Society strategically to a new level. New President presented his vision based on Five Pillars themed ‘Strategy 2020 and Beyond”. The Five Pillars are Profession, Empowerment, Engagement, Our Presence, and Digital Strategy. The new council will

focus strategically on these five areas by implementing various events, activities, projects and initiatives.

The CSSL was established in 1976 in Sri Lanka by a group of dedicated professionals for the purpose of promoting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and professionalism among those engaged in this field, and to maintain the highest professional standards among the ICT professionals. CSSL has played this role for over 40 years and is the apex body for ICT professionals in Sri Lanka. It is a not-for-profit body. The CSSL is best known in Sri Lanka for hosting the National IT Conference (NITC) which provides a platform for national and international speakers to present papers. CSSL also

New President Prabath S. Wickramaratne.

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organizes the National Schools’ Software Competition (NSSC) as well as the popular IT MasterMind Television Quiz Show that is nationally televised on ITN. These activities have collectively lead to a surge in popularity for the CSSL and also for a renewed energy in driving large projects for building awareness and capacity. The CSSL also provides networking opportunities as well as workshops and seminars that are organized on a regular basis. One of the major achievements in

the recent past is obtaining the Provisional Signatory status of Seoul Accord, which would assist to shape the dimensions of ICT higher education in Sri Lanka.

The new initiatives for 2019 will be launched shortly and interested professionals and students are welcome to visit the CSSL website at www.cssl.lk to learn about our activities and also to apply for membership.

Seated from L to R: Prof. Samantha Thelijjagoda (Assistant Secretary), Dr. Malitha Wijesundera (Secretary), Mr. Prabath S. Wickramaratne (President), Mr. Damith Hettihewa (Vice President), Dr. Ajantha Atukorale (Treasurer)

Standing from L to R: Mr. Yasas V. Abeywickrama (Immediate Past President), Mr. Buddhika Senasekera (Publications Secretary), Dr. Parakum Amaranga Pathirana (Assistant Treasurer), Mr Sajith Sameera, Mr. Shageevan Sachithanandan. Absent: Mr. Heshan Karunatratne (Student Counsellor) and Mr. Heminda Jayaweera.

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Strategy 2020 and Beyond

Vision Mission

VALUES• Collaboration • Respect • Diversity • Excellence • Ethics

PROFESSION

• Membership

• Accreditation

• NITC

• ICT Awards

• Teck Talks

• CIO Forum

EMPOWERMENT

• Workforce

• Entrepreneurship

• Startups

• NSSC/ISSC

• IT Mastermind

ENGAGEMENT

• Inclusion

• Communication

• Newsletter

• CSR

OUR PRESENCE

• Incorporation

• Secretariat

• SEARCC

• IFIP

• ICTA

• UGC

DIGITAL STRATEGY

• Innovation

• Collaboration

• Automation

• Digital Platform

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2018/2019

PRESIDENTPrabath S. WickramaratneVice PresidentHead of Operations/TechnologyDeutsche Bank AG, Sri Lanka

VICE PRESIDENTDamith HettihewaCEO / ICTA

SECRETARYDr. Malitha WijesunderaDean – Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT

TREASURERDr. Ajantha AthukoralaDeputy DirectorUniversity of ColomboSchool of Computing

ASST. SECRETARYProf. Samantha ThelijjagodaDean – Faculty of BusinessSLIIT

ASST TREASURERDr. Parakum PathiranaHead of Information Security and Compliance

STUDENT COUNCELLORHeshan KarunaratneGeneral ManagerThe Projects Corporattion Ltd

PUBLICATION SECRETARYBuddhika Senasekera Head of Digital - The Capital MaharajahOrganization Ltd

COUNCIL MEMBER (PAST PRESIDENT)Yasas V AbeywickramaDirector, Lanka BPO AcademyCEO – iKnowledge Consultants

COUNCIL MEMBERSajith SameeraGroup CIO – Cargills Ceylon PLC

COUNCIL MEMBERHeminda JayaweeraCo-founder of Jendo Innovation

COUNCIL MEMBERShageevan Sachithanandan CIO – Esoft Metro Campus

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGComputer Society of Sri Lanka

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NightMembers

“CSSL Members Night was held on 04th December 2018 alongside The Annual General Meeting at The Hotel Taj Samudra. Members were given an unique opportunity for networking and entertainment”

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outgoINg exco members

Presenting Mementos to immediate Past President Mr. Yasas V. Abeywickrama

Presenting Mementos to immediate Council Member & Past President Dr. Dayan Rajapakse

Presenting Mementos to immediate Publication Secretary Mr. Enosh Praveen

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seArcc globAl Ict AwArDs 2018, hosteD by cssl.On the 4th December 2018 SEARCC presented its annual Global ICT awards at the CSSL GA Gala.

SEARCC recognises the achievements and commitment of individuals who are shaping the ICT industry in three areas, professionalism, education and research.

ICT Researcher of the year: Dr Ahilan Kanagasundaram

ICT Professional of the year: Professor Mike Hinchey

ICT Educator of the year: Ana Hol

Finalists: Dheeren Velu

Finalists:Amit Chakraborty Chhoton, Joseph Liu

Winners and finalists of the Global ICT awards 2018

If you would like to know more about the SEARCC Global ICT awards and how you can be involved in 2019 please email eo@searcc.org.

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We, at CSSL are planning to make an impact on the much needy people in our society by carrying out CSR activities with the support of the membership and other stakeholders.

In order to ensure the fullest and effective participation of the membership, we would like to invite you to join hands with projects with your generous contributions. Additionally you may propose suitable projects to CSSL, contribute with materials, and take part during activities which will be organized in the future.

You can contribute to the Little Drops of Water Fund by donating LKR 500/-, LKR 1,000/- or any other amount at the time of renewing the membership.

We would greatly appreciate your support to make this project a success.

If you have further queries, please contact CSSL Secretariat.

Corporate Social Responsibility projects by CSSL

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. – Sir Winston Churchill

Let’s Make an Impact

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tIme to reNew your membershIP1. Cheque Payments: Please draw the Cheque in favor of “The Computer Society of Sri

Lanka”

2. Bank Deposits : CSSL Account No: 0029 6000 1039

Bank & Branch : Sampath Bank - Corporate Branch / Head Quarters(Kindly indicate the Name and NIC No in the relevant slip)

3. Online Bank Transfers can be made to the above Bank Account Number at any time.

4. Also, you can pay Directly by Cash or Card (VISA & MASTER CARDS) at The CSSL office.

For your convenience we have arranged the below Payment Modes.

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CSSL Secretariat The Computer Society of Sri Lanka275/75, Prof.Stanley Wijesundara MawathaColombo 7, Sri Lanka