Date: July 19, 2026

We are delighted to share another exciting milestone in the growing partnership between the Sri Lanka IT Professionals Association – UAE (SLITPA-UAE) and NEXT Education Group.

As the next step in our long-term collaboration, we are pleased to launch an exclusive 6-week Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Series on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for our professional community.

We recently had a productive meeting with Ms. Kumudu Abeyawardane, CEO of NEXT Education Group, where we discussed our shared vision of empowering IT professionals through industry relevant education, continuous learning, and future-ready skills. This AI series marks the beginning of many impactful learning initiatives that we look forward to delivering together.

A special thanks to Dr Kumudu Abeyawardane and the NEXT Education Group team for their continued support, trust, and commitment to partnering with SLITPA-UAE in advancing professional development within our community.

📢 The detailed programme schedule, session topics, speaker profiles, and registration details will be announced soon through our official SLITPA-UAE channels.

We are excited about this journey and look forward to bringing many more valuable learning opportunities to our members through this partnership.

Stay connected. The future starts with continuous development !!!!

Date: July 1, 2026

The Consul General and the Head of Chancery of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka discussed preparations for the CIO 200 Global Finale, scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from 21–24 September, 2026 with the Global Enterprise Connect (GEC) and HTP Global team in Dubai together with Mr. Thishan Gunasekara, President of the Sri Lanka IT Professionals Association in the UAE and Mr. Dhanusha Ranchigoda, Past Treasurer of the SLITPA
The discussion highlighted the significant opportunities the event offers for MICE tourism, investment promotion, employment creation, and business networking across multiple sectors. The Consulate General has already informed the relevant authorities in Sri Lanka to facilitate the successful organization of the event and maximize its benefits to the country.
The organizers requested support in several areas, and the Consulate General is coordinating with the relevant authorities to ensure the success of the event. The event is being facilitated by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, and the Sri Lanka IT Professionals Association.
Appreciation was extended to Mr. Thishan Gunasekara, President of the Sri Lanka IT Professionals Association, and Mr. Dhanusha Ranchigoda, Past Treasurer of the SLITPA for their valuable efforts in coordinating with the organizers and bringing the event to Sri Lanka.
The Consulate General will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders to support the successful conduct of the event.

Date: July 1, 2026

Global CIO Forum and Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai strengthen partnership for World CIO 200 Grand Finale 2026

Global CIO Forum (GCF) held a high-level strategic meeting with H.E. Alexi Gunasekera, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai, to further strengthen collaboration for the World CIO 200 Grand Finale 2026, which will be hosted in Colombo from 22–24 September 2026.

The meeting was attended by H.E. Alexi Gunasekera, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai, and Ms. Subashini Silva, Head of Chancery of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai. Representing the Sri Lanka IT Professionals Association (SLITPA) were Mr. Thishan Gunasekara and Mr. Danusha Ranchigoda, who joined representatives of the Global CIO Forum in discussions on maximizing the strategic value of the event for Sri Lanka.
The meeting marked another important milestone in the journey towards delivering one of the world’s most prestigious gatherings of technology leaders, bringing together over 200 CIOs and CXOs from more than 50 countries to Sri Lanka.

During the discussions, both parties explored a broad framework of collaboration that extends well beyond the summit itself, reaffirming a shared vision to leverage the event as a catalyst for economic development, international engagement, knowledge exchange, investment promotion, tourism growth, and strategic partnerships.

Anushree Dixit, Richa S

Date: June 16, 2026

Sri Lanka is set to host the globally acclaimed World CIO 200 Awards & Roadshow 2026, bringing together over 400 technology leaders, innovators, CIOs, digital transformation experts, and business decision-makers from around the world for a four-day conference and awards program scheduled for September 2026.

The World CIO 200 Roadshow is an internationally recognized platform dedicated to accelerating digital transformation, innovation, and economic development by fostering collaboration among technology leaders across the globe. The 2025 Grand Finale in Egypt showcased the scale and impact of the initiative, attracting more than 300 global leaders, 50 country ambassadors, and delivering over 40 hours of knowledge-sharing sessions and strategic discussions.

The event is organized by GEC Media Group, a leading global technology media and events organization with successful engagements across more than 50 countries. HTP Global Technologies will oversee the overall management and execution of the Sri Lanka event.

An initial discussion regarding the hosting of the event in Sri Lanka was recently held between Mr. Irfan Mohamed and Ms. Saduni Fernando of HTP Global, and Mr. Thishan Gunasekara, President of the Sri Lanka IT Professionals Association – UAE (SLITPA-UAE), together with Mr. Danusha Ranchigoda, representing SLITPA-UAE.

As a strategic partner, SLITPA-UAE will facilitate and support GEC Media and CIO forum in bringing this prestigious global technology gathering to Sri Lanka, further strengthening the country's position as an emerging regional hub for technology, innovation, and digital leadership.

Initial discussion was held with Professor Crishantha Abeysena Minister Science & Technology in Sri Lanka under the direction of Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates, Mr. Alexi Gunasekera together with Ms. Subhashini Silva, Head of Chancery of the Consulate General.

The event is expected to provide exceptional opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, investment discussions, and international collaboration while showcasing Sri Lanka's growing technology ecosystem to a global audience.

Further details regarding the event is organized by GEC Media Group, a global technology media and events

organization with a proven track record of delivering high-impact CIO engagements

across more than 50 countries. program, speakers, partnerships, and award nominations will be announced in the coming months.