The Sri Lankan IT Professionals Association – UAE held its Inauguration General Meeting (IGM) virtually through Zoom on April 23, 2021. About 60+ IT professionals based in UAE participated in this along with our guest of honors, H.E. Ambassador Mr. Malraj De Silva, Hon. Consul General Mr. Nalinda Wijerathna, SLPA Chairman Mr. Ajantha Premarathne and Head of Chancery Mr. Rizvi Ismail from the Abu Dhabi Embassy.
H.E. Ambassador Mr. Malraj De Silva 
Hon. Consul General Mr. Nalinda Wijerathna 
SLPA Chairman Mr. Ajantha Premarathne
As per the constitution adopted during the IGM – Sri Lankan Information Technology (IT) Professionals (as defined in article 2.1.5 of the Constitution) Association in the United Arab Emirates (SLITPA-UAE) is a non-profit association of Sri Lankan IT professionals working and living in the United Arab Emirates with an objective of helping and improving the presence of Sri Lankan IT professional’s footprint in the UAE market.
The election of executive committee members was conducted and below members were elected unanimously.
Executive Committee Members
- President – Chamil Mendis
- Vice President – Anjitha Senarath
- Secretary – Aruchunarajan Arumugam
- Assistant Secretary – Dimple Himashi
- Treasurer – Bhavanathan Pathmanathan
- Assistant Treasurer – Kuminda Chandimith
Committee Members
- Chaminda Samarawickrama
- Fazlan Ismail
- Gayan Nanayakkara
- Janith Chinthana
- Jinath Premaratne
- Prabath C Vitharana
- Saabir Ismail
- Salman Rabith
- Siraj Mohamed
- Puni Punithanathan
SLITPA-UAE officers Dimple Gunawardana, Kuminda Liyanage and Aruchunaranjan Arumugam led the discussions. Newly elected President Chamil Mendis outlined about the key initiatives in line with the SLITPA objectives and briefed the members of the upcoming events and programs in place. He further emphasized that SLITPA-UAE is a small seed which was just planted today and urged all the members to provide water, fertilizer in order to grow this small seed into a huge tree enabling shelter for IT Professionals in the UAE while SLPA provide the protection to operate legally in the UAE.
During the speech by the H. E Ambassador Mr. Malraj De Silva emphasized the importance of IT and that IT is used in all the industries today hence he really appreciated this initiative and he promised that he will provide any support from the Sri Lankan Government and Sri Lankan Embassy if required for betterment of the SLITPA-UAE.
While congratulating the SLITPA- UAE, The Hon. Consulate General Mr. Nalinda Wijeratna emphasized that he will provide all necessary support from the Sri Lankan Consulate im Dubai as and when required. Additionally, the SLPA Chairman Mr. Ajantha Premarathne emphasized that they will provide the oxygen to the SLITPA enabling us to grow as a forest of IT.
The members also received a thorough overview of all programs and a chance to give their feedback. Extensive discussions were held between the members and the guests from Sri Lankan Consulate, Sri Lankan Professionals Association (SLPA) as well.
The successful inauguration general meeting of Sri Lankan IT Professional Association of UAE was concluded with the vote of thanks by the newly appointed Secretary Aruchunarajan Arumugam along with a commitment by all members to take this initiative to greater heights.
President – Chamil Mendis 
Secretary – Aruchunarajan Arumugam 
Treasurer – Bhavanathan Pathmanathan 
Vice President – Anjitha Senarath 
Assistant Secretary – Dimple Himashi 
Assistant Treasurer – Kuminda Chandimith 
Head of Chancery Mr. Rizvi Ismail from Embassy 
Group Photo 
Group Photo 
Group Photo
I was fortunate to witnessed this remarkable and historical event of formation of SLITPA in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
All the best for the enthusiastic bunch of IT Professionals who worked behind tirelessly to make this mega project realised on the ground realistically.
Congratulations.