CSSL elects new council for year 2017

The Annual General Meeting of the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) was held recently, and the new executive council for the year 2017 was duly elected. 
Yasas Vishuddhi Abeywickrama was elected as the President, whilst W K Prabath Samindra was elected as the Vice President.
The other members of the Executive Council are Secretary- Damith Hettihewa, Assistant Secretary-Dr. Malitha Wijesundara, Treasurer-Dr. Ajantha Athukorala, Assistant Treasurer- Parakum Amaranga Pathirana, Student Counsellor- Dr. T A Samantha Thelijjagoda, Publications Secretary- Enosh Praveen, and Council Members Dr. Dayan Rajapakse, Heshan Karunaratne, Buddhika Senasekara, and Sajith Sameera.
Yasas Vishuddhi Abeywickrama , a well-known industry activist has been with CSSL Executive Council for five years before becoming the President. He also has held leadership roles with the Australian Computer Society (ACS), and is the first ever Sri Lankan to be elected to the largest international federation in the Information Technology (IT) industry, called IFIP –International Federation for Information Processing. The new President thanked the outgoing President Dr. Dayan Rajapakse for his successful two year term as President, where he guided the Society strategically to a new level. Abeywickrama presented his vision under five broad thrust areas. They are Engaging and Representative, Active, Thought Leader & Knowledge Platform, Recognition and Vocal, Present & Communicate. The new council will focus strategically on these five areas by implementing various events, activities, projects and initiatives.  The CSSL was established in 1976 in Sri Lanka by a group of dedicated professionals for the purpose of promoting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and professionalism among those engaged in this field, and to maintain the highest professional standards among the ICT professionals. CSSL has played this role for over 40 years and is the apex body for ICT professionals in Sri Lanka. It is a not-for-profit body. 
The CSSL is best known in Sri Lanka for hosting the National IT Conference (NITC) which provides a platform for national and international speakers to present papers.  CSSL also organizes the National Schools’ Software Competition (NSSC) as well as the popular IT MasterMind Television Quiz Show that is nationally televised on ITN.  These activities have collectively lead to a surge in popularity for the CSSL and also for a renewed energy in driving large projects for building awareness and capacity.  The CSSL also provides networking opportunities as well as workshops and seminars that are organized on a regular basis.