Dr. Dayan Rajapakse Takes Helm as FITIS Chairman, Shaping Sri Lanka’s Digital Future
View(s):On 30 April 2025, Dr Dayan Rajapakse, a trailblazer in education and technology, was appointed Chairman of the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) at its 8th Annual General Meeting, held at the Hilton Colombo Residencies. His appointment is historic — he is the first person to have served as both President of the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) (2014–2015) and now as Chairman of FITIS, the apex body of Sri Lanka’s ICT industry. Remarkably, he began his professional life as a medical doctor, later rising to lead both the key organisations representing ICT professionals and the wider digital sector. He succeeds Mr Indika de Zoysa and brings deep expertise to help steer Sri Lanka’s digital economy towards its USD 15 billion GDP target by 2030. In addition to leading FITIS, Dr Rajapakse also serves as President of the Sri Lanka Association of Non-State Higher Education Institutes (SLANSHEI).
Fitis Newly Appointed Board Of Directors 2025
A Fitting Appointment for a Visionary in Tech Talent Development
Dr Rajapakse is Chairman and Managing Director of ESOFT Metro Campus, Sri Lanka’s largest private higher education network, serving over 30,000 students annually through more than 40 branches. A medical doctor with an MBBS from the University of Colombo, he began his career in intensive care before making a bold and transformative shift into IT and education. In the early 2000s, when careers in medicine, engineering, and law dominated public preference, he helped promote ICT as a viable and exciting path for young people. Through lecturing for BCS and BIT programmes, conducting GIT seminars in schools, and expanding ESOFT’s national presence, he helped lay the foundations of Sri Lanka’s growing ICT workforce. His medical training, he says, shaped the decisiveness and clarity that now underpin his leadership in education and technology.
A Digital Economy Vision Aligned with National Priorities
At the FITIS AGM, Dr Rajapakse reaffirmed his support for Sri Lanka’s ambition to build a USD 15 billion digital economy by 2030 — a goal championed by outgoing Chairman Mr Indika de Zoysa.
“This has become one of the key goals of the government’s digital transformation strategy. FITIS is ideally suited to drive this strategy with seven different chapters spanning all sectors in the ICT industry,” he noted.
New Chairman
He outlined how these chapters — covering infrastructure, software, digital services, telecommunications, ICT education and training, and ICT professionals — would collaborate to achieve this vision.
“Our Infrastructure Chapter will support digital expansion, while Software, Digital Services, and Telecom Chapters will deliver workflow transformation solutions. Our Education and Training Chapter will grow the workforce and boost digital literacy. The Professional Chapter will ensure the transition is secure and well-integrated through consultancy,” he explained.
Dr Rajapakse laid out a five-pillar plan to strengthen FITIS during his tenure.
“FITIS’ strength lies in its members — the ICT companies. My focus will be on expanding membership and reinforcing the FITIS secretariat so we’re better equipped to serve their needs,” he said.
He further stated, “Creating value for our members is key to industry growth. I intend to deepen ties with government and regional industry bodies to enhance the value we deliver through strategic collaboration.”
He reiterated that FITIS would play a strategic role in advancing the national agenda: “Through advocacy and consultancy, we’ll ensure our members benefit from the sector’s accelerated growth.”
He also affirmed FITIS’ commitment to its flagship programmes: “We will continue to strengthen INFOTEL, API Asia, DEX Awards, YCS and DigiGo — not just as industry events but as platforms for delivering member value.
Highlighting the need for inclusivity, he added, “Public awareness and digital literacy are essential if the digital transformation is to be effective. We must bring everyone along on this journey.”
As President of SLANSHEI, Dr Rajapakse is uniquely positioned to bridge the long-standing divide between industry and academia. This dual role enhances his ability to address pressing talent shortages, expand the ICT talent pipeline, and reduce brain drain.
Steering the Industry into the Future
As Sri Lanka charts its path toward becoming a digitally empowered nation, Dr Rajapakse’s leadership at FITIS arrives at a pivotal moment. His rare blend of experience in medicine, education, and technology — coupled with deep involvement in both professional and industry bodies — equips him to unite diverse stakeholders around a shared digital vision.
Token Outgoing Chairman
“This is not just about achieving targets,” he concluded. “It’s about building an ecosystem where innovation thrives, opportunities expand, and every Sri Lankan can participate in the digital future.”
With clear priorities and a collaborative outlook, Dr Rajapakse’s tenure promises to be a transformative chapter in FITIS’ journey — and a defining one for Sri Lanka’s digital economy.
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