Mr N.A. Atukorala, Secretary Ministry of Telecoms and IT speaking at the Launch,

The exhibition will be a large corporate CIO meeting place too and has now expanded to include large enterprise software exhibitors  and trainers and has even gone beyond boundaries to feature areas such as Cloud based services, Virtualisation , ERP, Business Systems, office automation. IT/BPO and Telecommunication sector which too has become part and parcel of the ICT industry. This year’s Infotel Expected is expected to be one of the largest ICT/BPO career fairs too.

“Ministry of Telecommunication and IT is happy to work very closely with FITIS in organizing this years Infotel 2011 Sri Lanka ICT Expo as it contributes in achieving our key national ICT objectives. Sri Lanka is poised for a new chapter of accelerated economic growth after winning peace after 30 years of war. In our  journey towards a knowledge hub as envisioned in Mahinda Chintana- Vision for the future, this year’s Infotel theme ‘Accelerate IT” epitomizes the vital role of ICT in building Sri Lanka’s new economy. Hence I invite all industry stakeholders to take part in this important event in the national ICT calendar”. Says Ranjith Siyambalapitiya Minister of Telecommunication of IT.

Infotel 2011 offers an ideal platform for ICT stakeholders in Sri Lanka and the neighboring South Asian Region to explore and capitalize the new growth and wealth creation opportunities in the country. One of the key highlights of the Infotel 2011 Expo is the participation it has been elevated to an international expo level and corporate CIO  meeting place, says Mr. Wasantha Weerakkon President of FITIS Hardware Chapter and Chairman Infotel 2011 Main Organizing Committee.

Mr. Weerakkon said, “With Sri Lanka poised to be ‘The Miracle of Asia’, initiatives such as Infotel 2011 will be more focused towards the country’s national growth. Today IT has become a core factor in any type of growth industry which can range from a very small business enterprise to that of a top corporate. We are very sure that in the future the area of IT will be the main driving force behind the country’s growth. We are hoping to position this year’s Infotel exhibition as a regional show, where we can position Sri Lankan products to the outside world. In order for the country to grow and expand we must open up more avenues of employment, therefore alongside the exhibition we will also be focusing on areas such as career guidance.”

Speaking on the main objectives of this year’s Infotel 2010 Mr. Damith Hettihewa CEO FITIS said,  “Key objective of the exhibition is to mobilize all citizens towards achieving national ICT objectives set out by His wexcellancy the President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Mahinda Chintahna Vision for the Future and Ministry of Telecommunication and IT, namely Creating a Knowledge Hub, 75% ICT literacy and US$ 1 Billion ICT related exports by 2015. Although Infotel has been a bi-annual event in last 18 years , this is the first time we are hosting this event on an annual basis after significant success we had last year. This year’s Infotel Expo will be unique as it will not be limited to a showcase of  ICT product and gadgets but will be an ICT Expo of international standards and a meeting place for corporates, buyers, seller , recruiting companies, career seekers and IT enthusiasts alike.

Infotel 2011 Organizing Committee Chairman Mr Wasantha Weerakoon speaking at the Launch Press Conference. Mr Nimal Atukorala Secretary Ministry of Telecom and IT and Mr. Indika De Zoysa Country Business Manager Intel are also in the picture.

Outlining the INFOTEL 2011 Program, Mr Hettihewa said, An interesting and knowledge enhancing programme of activities has been planned for to coincide with the Infotel 2011 Sri Lanka ICT Expo. Infotel Forum is held for the 2^nd time which is a regional CIO forum for knowledge and trends sharing.  Student day and career fair where large numbers of students and career seekers are expected to participate. The glamorous Infotel Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner will be held on the 4^rd December  at the BMICH premises.

The participants of the Infotel 2011 will range from high profile ICT decision makers, CIOs, visionary CEOs, business and professional leaders, academia and tech savvy individuals to high school and university students, ICT knowledge seekers and early adopters of technology. Over 200 exhibitors are expected to participate in this years’ event .

The Sri Lanka ICT Industry Association, FITIS, the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka, which constitutes Sri Lanka Computer Vendors Association (SLCVA) – the Hardware Chapter, Sri Lanka Association for the Software Industry (SLASI) – the Software Chapter, Association of Computer Training Organizations (ACTOS) – the Training Chapter, Lanka Internet Service Providers Association (LISPA)/ (TPA) – the Telecommunications Chapter and Information Systems  Audit & Control Association  (ISACA)  – the Professional Chapter. FITIS has been in operation for the last 15 years as the unified umbrella organization 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.

Damih Hettihewa Ceo FITIS Speaking at Infotel 2011 Launch.

Hidden talents of rural youth – Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena

Young Computer Scientist (YCS), the annual ICT competition organized by the Federation of the Information Technology Industry and Services, Sri Lanka (FITIS), affords a remarkable opportunity to identify and harness the hidden talents of  students of information and computer technology, particularly in the far-flung, difficult areas of Sri Lanka, Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardena said.

Minister Bandula Gunawardena made this observation at the presentation of awards and certificates to the winners of the Young Computer Scientist 2011 competition organized by FITIS for the 10th successful year. The colorful awards ceremony, organized by FITIS in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sri Lanka Association for Software Industry (SLASI), was held in the auditorium of the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) recently.

The Minister was the Chief Guest at the awards presentation of the 10th anniversary edition of this popular ICT contest which was attended by a large and distinguished gathering, including Mr. Neil Gunadasa, Director – ICT, Department of Education, Mr. Govin Nangrani, Chairman, FITIS, Mr. Udaya de Silva, Secretary, Mr. Damith Hettiarachchi, CEO, Mr. Sudarshan Welihinda, Chairman, Sri Lanka Association for Software Industry and Prof. Gihan Wickremanayake,  Director, University of Colombo School of Computing.

Continuing his speech, Minister Gunawardena further said: “At the time President Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected to office in 2005, the computer literacy rate in Sri Lanka stood at a pathetically low 5%. The objective of the government is to move towards a Knowledge Economy by achieving a computer literacy rate of 75% by the year 2015. We are now working towards this goal.

“The winner of the top honors in the junior category of this competition was a student of Mahiyangana Ridimaliyadda Maha Vidyalaya. Ridimaliyadda is a village in far-flung, rural Mahiyangana with the minimum of infrastructure facilities. It is situated in a very difficult area with limited resources.

“The fact that a student from such a difficult, rustic hamlet won the top prize in the Young Computer Scientist competition amply proves two factors: The first is that the government’s ongoing initiative to take ICT to rural schools has been a resounding success. The second is that this contest organized by FITIS has established itself as an excellent platform to identify and expose the computing talents of school children at early stages and encourage them to develop their talents and earn recognition for their innovations”.

This year’s Young Computer Scientist attracted about 1000 applications and of them, 144 contestants were awarded prizes and certificates.

The National School level Gold Award winner in the senior group category in the competition was Chathura Samarasinghe, a student of Thrithwa Vidyalaya, Kandy while H. M. Lahiru Sandaruwan of Mahiyangana Ridimaliyadda Maha Vidyalaya bagged the top prize in the junior segment. In the International Schools senior group category Krishan Chandana Mendis of Gateway School of Computing, Galle emerged Gold Award winner, while Chanuka Yasawardena, a student of Gateway School of Computing, Nugegoda won the first prize in the junior category.

Student H. M. Lahiru Sandaruwan of Ridimaliyadda Maha Vidyalaya said his village was so backward that his small house did not even have electricity – a basic requirement. He took part in this competition thanks to his school teacher Priyantha who put together some pieces to produce a computer. That was how Sandaruwan sent his entry and bagged the top accolade.

The Young Computer Scientist competition was initiated by FITIS to take the fruits of ICT education to youth in the urban as well as rural segments, said Mr. Govin Nangrani, Chairman, FITIS.

He said that this contest has, over the past decade developed into a fully-fledged, enormously popular annual event, and is at present conducted on a national level in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

The two national level Gold winners (Senior/Junior) in the Young Computer Scientist competition, Chathura Samarasinghe of Thrithwa Vidyalaya, Kandy and Chanuka Yasawardena  of Gateway  School of Computing, Nugegoda, will get the opportunity of representing Sri Lanka at the APICTA, Thailand in November 2011.

Sri Lanka Telecom, Acer Computer Company, Metropolitan and Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology were the official sponsors of the Young Computer Scientist competition.

“Sri Lanka needs more youth with ICT skills in order to build an ICT industry of US$ 1 billion. The career guidance program organized parallel to Mini Infotel regional ICT exhibition is a step in the right direction to create awareness among students of Subaragamuwa Province.” Said Harsha Siyambalapitiya , member of Sabaragamuwa provincial council. Mr Harsha Siymbalapitiya delivering the chief guest’s speech ICT career guidance program inaugurating organized by Federation of IT insudtry Sri Lanka (FITIS) and   ICTA at St Joseph’s Girls School Keaglle. He further said that Mini Infotel has brought ICT to Kegalle and people in the area will benefit from the cutting edge ICT experience showcased by country’s leading ICT companies.

Mostly parents prefer their children to be a Doctor, Engineer, Lawyer or accountant.  But if they know about the salaries of IT professionals they will surely encourage their children to become an IT professionals. Therefore these career guidance sessions are very importation to educate students of this new career opportunity. And in ICT fraternity it is not difficult to get a qualification and start a career. Unlike in medical, engineering or legal profession where getting admission to professional course is so difficult as there is one law college, few medical faculties or engineering faculties. However in ICT fraternity obtaining a qualification at various levels and obtaining job to suit that qualification is possible.  Because ICT skills are rare.  Hence students who participate in Infotel career guidance sessions are very privileged. They are opening their eyes to ICT industry with vast potential for career development.

As we know India has a massive ICT industry and Indian youth have immensely benefited from it. It is ICT industry which has indirectly developed other industries such as auto industry in India. We see village girls even in remote areas of Sabaragamuwa ride scooters from India. But fact of the matter is that lot of Indian industries such as scooter industry boomed as a result of new demand created by youth employed in ICT industry in India.

Federation of Information Technology Sri Lanka ( FITIS) in partnership with 3M Lanka Pvt limited donated fully equipped computer network infrastructure to St Joseph’s Girls School Kegalle to make the Mini Infotel -  Towards a Knowledge Nation  regional ICT Exhibition.

“FITIS conducts Mini Infotel regional ICT exhibition with the objective of promoting ICT among rural youth.  Mini Infotel  contributes to achieving national ICT objectives,  through awareness creation. National ICT objectives namely,  75% ICT literacy and US$1 bllion ICT export revenue, are set out in 5  year National ICT plan by Ministry of Telecommunication and IT under the leadership of Hon  Ranjith Siyambalapitiya Minister of Telecommunication and IT ”  said Mr Wasantha Weerakoon, President of FITIS hardware Chapter and Chairman Infotel Organizing Committee..

Speaking about the donation by FITIS Mrs. R.M.C.K. Atapattu, Principal St Joseph’s Girl’s School commended the FITIS contribution towards  developing  school ICT  infrastructure while disseminating message of ICT to the rural youth. Mrs. Atapattu also thanked  Ministry of Telecommunication and IT, FITIS and ICTA and Ministry of Educations joint programs to conduct ICT career guidance programs parallel to Mini Infotel Exhibition.

“School ICT  infrastructure development is one of our objectives in conducting Mini Infotel in regions in addition to our key objective of contributing to help achieve national ICT objectives. We take this opportunity to thanks 3M for partnering with us for this initiative.. We donated 3 computers to Wembady Girl’ss School Jaffna in Feb 2010 when we conducted Mini Infotel Jaffna and hope to continue the tradition in years to come”. Said Damith Hettihewa CEO FITIS.

Ranjith Siyambalapitiya Minister of Telecommunication and IT, Nimal Atukorala , Secretary to Ministry of Telecommunication  and IT , Harsha Siyambalapitiya member of the Sabaragamuwa Provicial Council, Dr Kithsiri Manchanayake  , Member of Western Provincial Council, Wasanatha Weerakoon  President of FITIS hardware Chapter  and Chairman Inotel Organsing committee , Mrs R.M.C.K Atapattu Principal St Joesph’s girls School  Kegalle ,  Damith Hettihewa Chief Executive Officer  FITIS and several other distinguish gathering was present at the inauguration of the computer center network infrastructure.

Mini Infotel regional ICT exhibition was  organized by Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka, in partnership with  Presidential Task Force on English and IT,, Ministry of Telecom and IT , ICTA , Ministry of Education and  held from 30 th 31^st July 2011 with students and general public from Sabaragamuwa province participating in large numbers to experience the developments in the world of ICT. Dialog , Intel , 3M, ICTA , Daily News, Sunday Observer , Neth FM were partners of mini Infotel Kegalle making the regional IT event a resounding success.

The Sri Lanka ICT Industry Association, FITIS, the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka, which constitutes Sri Lanka Computer Vendors Association (SLCVA) – the Hardware Chapter, Sri Lanka Association for the Software Industry (SLASI) – the Software Chapter, Association of Computer Training Organizations (ACTOS) – the Training Chapter, Lanka Internet Service Providers Association (LISPA)/ (TPA) – the Telecommunications Chapter and Information Systems  Audit & Control Association  (ISACA)  – the Professional Chapter. FITIS has been in operation for the last 15 years as the unified umbrella organization 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.

Dialog Axiata Plc has joined hands with The Federation of Information Technology Sri Lanka (FITIS) , Ministry of Telecommunication and IT and Presidential Task Force for English  and IT  to promote ICT in outstations contributing country’s journey towards a knowledge hub.

Mini Infotel Kegalle – Towards a Knowledge Nation regional ICT exhibition is organized by FITIS in partnership with Ministry of Telecommunication and IT, ICTA and Presidential Task Force for English and IT. The exhibition will be held from 30-31 July 2011 at St Joseph’s Girls School Kegalle.

Surain Prematilake,, Regional Manager, Dialog Axiata Plc handed over the Gold Sponsorship cheque to Mr. Sajitha Nawaz Secretary,FITIS Hardware Chapter and Damith Hettihewa, FITIS Chief Executive Officer at the FITIS Secretariat recently.

Mr Sajith Navaz, Secretary of FITIS Hardware Chapter and Mini Infotel Organizing committee welcoming the Dialog partnership towards this national imitative said, “Mini INFOTEL regional ICT exhibition is a public private partnership in order to promote ICT among rural youth. Dialog Axiata’s sponsorship contribution towards promoting ICT in remote areas immensely helps industry efforts to meet national ICT objectives of 75% ICT literacy.

Damith Hettihewa, Chief Executive Officer FITIS thanked Dialog Axiata for coming forward as the Gold Sponsor of the Mini Infotel Kegalle where a large number of local and multinational  organizations representing the ICT field will be participating.

Stalls have been reserved under the categories of Computers, IT Solutions, Telecommunications and Broadband  Services, Computer Gaming , Software, Electronics Retail, ,IT Training, Banking ,Food and Beverages..Arrangements have been made to hold an (ICT) information and communication technology career guidance program, and workshops on Free and Open Source Software usage have been organized parallel to the Mini Infotel Kegalle”.   Mr Hettihewa added.

In Feb 2010, a Mini Infotel exhibitions was held very successfully in the Jaffna peninsula after 30 years, the Mini Infotel Jaffna exhibition drew large crowds as it was the first mega exhibition to be held right after opening A9 highway. Mini Infotel was also held in  Kurunegala and Tangalle in 2009.

The Sri Lanka ICT Industry Association, FITIS, the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka, which constitutes Sri Lanka Computer Vendors Association (SLCVA) – the Hardware Chapter, Sri Lanka Association for the Software Industry (SLASI) – the Software Chapter, Association of Computer Training Organizations (ACTOS) – the Training Chapter, Lanka Internet Service Providers Association (LISPA)/ (TPA) – the Telecommunications Chapter and Information Systems  Audit & Control Association  (ISACA)  – the Professional Chapter. FITIS has been in operation for the last 15 years as the unified umbrella organization 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.