The Sri Lankan IT Professionals Association (SLITPA) UAE, driven by its Executive Committee, successfully hosted its Annual Awards Night 2025 at the Pullman Dubai Creekside Hotel, Deira, UAE. The event honored the significant contributions of Sri Lankan professionals within the UAE’s technology sector.
The evening, meticulously planned by the SLITPA Executive Committee, underscored their leadership in uniting the Sri Lankan tech diaspora. Held under the patronage of the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology of Sri Lanka, Dr. Chrishantha Abeysena, the event gathered diplomats, industry leaders, and innovators. This year’s theme centered on trust, innovation, and impact.
Award Winners Recognized for Outstanding Contributions:
Digital Trust Professional of the Year – UAE (2025): Mr. Mohammed Nabeel Zubair
Best Achievement by a Sri Lankan IT Professional – UAE (2025): Mr. Melick Rajee Baranasooriya
Best IT Education Programme of the Year – UAE (2025): Mr. Zafarullah Hashim, Trainocate Gulf’s ‘Sri Lankanisation’ initiative
Best IT Project Executed by a Sri Lankan IT Professional – UAE (2025): Mr. Buddhike Perera
Best Sri Lankan IT Company in the UAE (2025): John Keells IT
Sri Lankan IT Personality of the Year – UAE (2025): Ms. Kaumudi Anjana Wijegunasinghe
Distinguished Guests and Key Addresses:
The event was graced by Her Excellency Prof. Arusha Cooray, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE; Hon. Alexi Gunasekera, Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai & Northern Emirates; and Mr. Duminda Dissanayaka, Chairman of the Sri Lankan Professionals Association UAE, among other dignitaries.
The Hon. Minister of Science and Technology of Sri Lanka delivered the keynote address, unveiling an ambitious vision for the nation’s digital transformation and positioning Sri Lanka as a serious global player in innovation, technology, and knowledge-based development. The Minister emphasized the power of collaboration between science, technology, and human connection, praising the Sri Lankan tech diaspora in the UAE as “not just professionals, but innovators, researchers, and bridge-builders” between Sri Lanka and the world. Highlighting the country’s 2023 achievement of USD 1.8 billion in ICT exports and over 150,000 sector jobs, the Minister revealed a national target to double the ICT workforce to 300,000 by 2027. Key growth areas include AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, FinTech, digital health, and tech-enabled agriculture and logistics. He stressed that success should not only be measured in exports or employment figures but in how much technology uplifts lives, stating, “Digital transformation is not optional — it’s essential for reducing inequality, expanding access to services, and driving national development”. The Minister concluded by thanking SLITPA and the award winners for elevating Sri Lanka’s global reputation.
The SLITPA President, Mr. Thishan Gunasekara praised the remarkable global contributions of Sri Lankan IT professionals and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to promoting Sri Lankan innovation on the world stage.
The Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai lauded the global impact of Sri Lankan tech professionals and emphasized the growing significance of emotional intelligence alongside technological innovation. He highlighted AI as a defining force of the future, urging leaders to balance it with human empathy and emotional intelligence. The Consul General praised Sri Lankan innovators in the UAE for carrying the nation’s reputation forward, especially within the booming IT and BPO sectors, recognizing the community’s $3 billion contribution in 2024, with a projected $5 billion target by 2030. He commended SLITPA’s role as a model public-private partnership and encouraged the diaspora to continue supporting Sri Lanka’s digitalization efforts and upcoming international milestones, including the Disrupt Asia 2025 and GITEX delegations.
The Ambassador of Sri Lanka called on professionals in the UAE to support Sri Lanka’s digital agenda by encouraging outsourcing partnerships, mentoring startups, sharing expertise in policy and cybersecurity, and investing in innovation hubs.
A special thanks goes to the Digital Trust Alliance and the judging panel for their support in evaluating nominations and finalizing the winners.
The success of the event was made possible by the generous support of sponsors, including Main Sponsor EGUARDIAN, Gold Sponsors Xitricon, Mimecast, and Crystal Corp, and Silver Sponsors Someli, OXO, Business Agility Tune Up, NEXT Edu, #TPH Lakwil, Minthrm, HTP, Trustvault, Zurich Insurance, Tecdeal, Vitesters, TG Lanka.
About SLITPA UAE:
Operating under the esteemed umbrella of SLPA-UAE, a registered and prestigious professional body that represents a diverse range of Sri Lankan professionals across various sectors in the UAE, SLITPA-UAE remains steadfast in its mission to support the community wherever and whenever possible, within its voluntary capacity. The Sri Lankan IT Professionals Association (SLITPA) UAE is dedicated to uniting and empowering Sri Lankan IT professionals in the United Arab Emirates, fostering innovation, and contributing to the global technology landscape.
