Q. Congratulations on your new role as Chairman of SLASSCOM. Can you share your vision for SLASSCOM during your tenure and how you plan to position Sri Lanka as a global hub for technological innovation and excellence?
Thank you. As I reflect on the journey of SLASSCOM, I recognise the solid foundation laid by the past boards and chairpersons, which I am committed to building upon. Looking forward, I am confident that we can achieve our vision of innovation and excellence by leveraging this strong foundation through enhanced collaboration, resilience, and ingenuity.
I stand on the shoulders of visionary leaders and dedicated boards who have guided SLASSCOM with great wisdom and commitment. Their legacy serves as the cornerstone on which I will build, ensuring continuity and progress for the organisation and its members. At the outset, we will focus on several initiatives such as enhancing global trade and investment, fostering talent development, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, championing sustainable best practices, and driving nation-building through policy advocacy. While this journey will present challenges such as brain-drain, negative perceptions of the country due to the economic crisis, and increased costs of doing business, this is a moment of introspection, allowing us to understand our past and thereby strategise our future trajectory.
By focusing on these initiatives, SLASSCOM aims to create a dynamic ecosystem that not only attracts global investment but also solidifies Sri Lanka’s position as a leader in technological innovation.
This comprehensive approach will help us build a resilient and forward-thinking industry capable of competing on the global stage.
Q: Given your extensive experience at Deloitte Sri Lanka and Maldives, as well as your long tenure at PwC Sri Lanka, how do you plan to leverage your past experiences in your new role to address the challenges facing the Sri Lankan IT/BPM industry, such as brain-drain and increased business costs?
Indeed, two major challenges we face are brain-drain and the increasing cost of doing business. To tackle brain-drain, firstly, we will implement strategies to arrest the situation by retaining talent and making Sri Lanka an attractive destination for top talent. We will do this by creating a flexible and conducive work environment and providing opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement. Thereafter, we will systematically analyse the macroeconomic factors driving talent away and work with the government to address these issues, although it’s important to note that some corrective measures may take time to yield tangible results. Thirdly, we aim to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to have an increased talent supply and effectively fill the void left by departing mid-tier talent.
To address this talent vacuum, SLASSCOM, through its Academy, will play a key role in upskilling and cross-skilling our existing workforce to equip them with both technical skills and leadership acumen, helping them to accelerate their transition into mid-tier roles. In parallel, we will forge strong partnerships with universities and other educational institutions to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled graduates entering the workforce.
Regarding increased business costs, we will advocate for more realistic government policies that reduce regulatory burdens. We will examine tax policies in peer countries and collaborate with the government to improve our own policies. By fostering a supportive ecosystem for both talent and businesses, we are confident that we can address these challenges and drive sustainable growth in the industry.
Q: Global trends in technology and business are constantly evolving. How do you plan to ensure that Sri Lanka’s IT/BPM industry keeps pace with these global trends, and what initiatives do you have in mind to foster innovation and global competitiveness?
To ensure Sri Lanka’s IT/BPM industry keeps abreast of global trends, we will invest heavily in continuous learning and development. Just a few weeks ago, we joined hands with IIT Madras Pravartak with the intention of enhancing collaboration and fostering innovation in Sri Lanka’s start-up ecosystem. We will continue to explore similar opportunities that drive collaborative research in technology, sustainability, mentorship, and market access. Furthermore, we aim to introduce a groundbreaking initiative called the “Industry Ambassador Programme” where a network of distinguished Sri Lankans living overseas will represent and promote Sri Lanka’s IT/BPM industry across key international markets. By serving as our eyes and ears, they will provide key insights into emerging trends and demands that our industry needs to address, which will eventually help us to keep pace with global trends.
In 2022, SLASSCOM committed to becoming the world’s first green IT/BPM destination by embracing ESG principles throughout the industry. In line with this commitment, we will conduct knowledge-sharing sessions on ESG best practices, to assist our companies in adopting reporting on ESG baseline indicators. Furthermore, to promote environmentally friendly software practices, we will educate our companies on reducing the carbon footprint of their software solutions. Green software is here to stay, and we aim to lead the way in making sustainable choices an integral part of our industry.
Q: One of your strategic initiatives includes enhancing global trade and investment. Can you further elaborate on the ‘Industry Ambassador Programme’ and the ‘Empowering Global Growth’ programme, and how these initiatives will support member companies in expanding their reach in export markets?
Certainly. The “Industry Ambassador Programme” will create a network of distinguished Sri Lankans living overseas who can represent and promote Sri Lanka’s IT/BPM industry across international markets. These Ambassadors will play an instrumental role in narrating our stories of ingenuity and help foster lasting partnerships between potential markets and the IT/BPM industry of Sri Lanka. As we all know, Sri Lanka is best known for its resilience and ingenuity and with the recent crisis that has cast a negative perception on our country, these initiatives will be instrumental in getting Sri Lanka back on the map.
Moreover, the “Empowering Global Growth” programme aims to support member companies in expanding their reach in key emerging export markets. Member companies will enjoy the benefit of gaining access to comprehensive market entry resources, insights on the lay of the land including country research, industry connections, and guidance on doing business in key markets. They will also receive recommendations of consultants and potential partners, curated lists of relevant trade shows and industry events, and a resource pack highlighting Sri Lanka’s advantages and unique value proposition. Through these initiatives, we will empower our member companies to successfully navigate and thrive in export markets.
Q: Talent development is a key focus area for you, especially in addressing the issue of talent loss. How do you plan to collaborate with universities and other educational institutions to ensure a continuous supply of future-ready talent, and what role will the SLASSCOM Academy play in upskilling and cross-skilling the workforce?
Over the years, SLASSCOM has developed a robust relationship with universities and academia, establishing strong partnerships with these stakeholders. We will continue our collaborations with these educational institutions, which are crucial for ensuring a continuous supply of future-ready talent. By working closely with universities, we aim to align curricula with industry needs, ensuring that graduates possess the skills required by employers at the point of recruiting. This alignment will help produce a workforce that is well-prepared to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving IT/BPM sector.
Moving one step further, SLASSCOM is also planning to launch a special project to facilitate industry placements for academic staff. This initiative aims to immerse educators in the real-world demands of the corporate sector, giving them firsthand experience of industry challenges and trends. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, we will enable these educators to tailor their teaching methodologies and content to better align with current industry needs and expectations. This exposure will help ensure that the curriculum remains relevant and effectively prepares students for the evolving job market.
Moreover, the SLASSCOM Academy will play a quintessential role in this space by offering specialised training programmes to upskill and cross-skill our workforce. These programmes will focus on emerging technologies and industry-specific technical skills and power skills ensuring that our professionals remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape. By investing in talent development, we aim to mitigate talent loss and build a pipeline of skilled professionals who can drive the industry’s growth.
Additionally, the recently launched ‘SLASSCOM Employability Skills Report 2024’ too offers valuable insights into the current state of employability skills in Sri Lanka’s IT sector. This survey highlights key trends, challenges, and the demand for specific skills.
It emphasises the importance of aligning educational curricula with industry needs to ensure that graduates are equipped with the necessary skills. The report also serves as a crucial tool for fostering partnerships between industry stakeholders and higher education institutions, aimed at enhancing the employability of IT professionals in Sri Lanka.
Q. How would you describe the current status of the IT/BPM industry in Sri Lanka, and how does it compare to global trends in this sector? What unique strengths and challenges does Sri Lanka have in this comparison?
The IT/BPM industry in Sri Lanka is at a promising stage of development. Analysts, including AT Kearney, have recognised Sri Lanka as a hidden gem in the world of IT/BPM outsourcing. Clients consistently praise the high quality of talent available in the country. Today, our professionals contribute to global brands, and numerous multinational IT service providers have established research and innovation centres here. These companies have also committed to expanding their operations, which promise to greatly increase job creation opportunities in the coming years. We have a highly educated and skilled workforce, which is a significant strength. Our strategic geographic location also provides a competitive advantage, allowing us to serve clients in multiple time zones effectively.
However, we cannot rest on our laurels, as we are navigating through challenges such as brain-drain, the extensive loss of mid-tier talent, negative perceptions of our country due to the recent economic crisis, and the increased cost of doing business. Despite countless challenges, our industry has shown resilience and adaptability. With the right strategies to overcome these challenges, we can achieve significant growth and establish ourselves as a global leader in the IT/BPM sector. By leveraging our unique strengths and addressing our challenges, our hope and belief are that we can enhance our competitiveness and ensure sustainable growth in the global market.
