Nishan Mendis appointed as the new Chairman of SLASSCOM

Technology & Transformation Leader of Deloitte Sri Lanka and Maldives Nishan Mendis was recently appointed as the new Chairman of the Sri Lanka Association of Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) for 2024/25.

Deloitte notes that Mendis is a key member of its Leadership Team and Executive Committee. An alumnus of S. Thomas’ College, Mendis began his career at KPMG and later served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of SasiaNet before joining PwC and Deloitte.

Mendis hopes to utilise his leadership roles at Deloitte and SLASSCOM to not only strengthen the IT-BPM sector, but also drive significant advancements and contribute to the broader economic development of the country.

By positioning Sri Lanka as a global hub for tech innovation and excellence, Mendis aims to create a brighter future for the industry and nation alike.

With an extensive career spanning 26 years, he has made significant contributions to a variety of national initiatives. Mendis’ 17 year tenure at PwC and Deloitte underscores his expertise in driving technological and digital transformation initiatives, including large-scale citizen centric tech projects.

In his numerous leadership roles at SLASSCOM – including Vice Chairman, Head of the Global Trade and Investment Forum, and Head of the Capacity Forum – Mendis has demonstrated his dedication to the tech industry.

Moreover, Mendis’ involvement with expert committees convened by the government highlights his commitment – and he continues to serve on several of these committees.

“My vision is to position Sri Lanka as a global hub for technological innovation and excellence. By harnessing our heritage of collaboration, resilience and innovation, I’m confident that we can realise this vision. I recognise the legacy of visionary leaders and dedicated boards who have guided us, and I’m committed to building on this,” he affirms, underscoring his vision for his tenure at the helm of SLASSCOM.

As Chairman of SLASSCOM, Mendis will focus on increasing global trade and investment, fostering talent development, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, championing sustainable best practices, and driving nation building initiatives through policy advocacy.

His plans include calling on the government to implement recommendations pertaining to fiscal incentives, public-private partnerships, global trade facilitation and policy consistency to enhance the industry’s global competitiveness.

Mendis also hopes to maintain a dialogue with government authorities to foster a business-friendly environment and attract inward investments.

Meanwhile, an innovative Industry Ambassador Programme is to be introduced to leverage the expertise of Sri Lankans living overseas to represent the industry in key global markets. Additionally, an Empowering Global Growth programme will support member companies to foray into and thrive in export markets.

A key focus of his leadership will be to bridge the skills gap in the IT-BPM sector. Mendis aims to address the loss of mid-tier talent by upskilling and cross skilling the existing workforce. The SLASSCOM Academy is to play a key role in this endeavour.

Collaborations with universities and academic partners will continue to produce future ready talent for the industry. In line with the ‘Island of Ingenuity’ ethos, Mendis plans to foster a culture of innovation across the tech industry in this country.

New partnerships with global ecosystems will offer startups and entrepreneurs opportunities for growth and advancement. By aligning educational curricula with industry needs, Mendis aims to produce a workforce that is equipped to meet the demands of the global market, attracting more international companies to set up operations in Sri Lanka.

Mendis will also promote the broader adoption of environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting within the industry. And he hopes to guide companies on reducing the carbon footprint of software solutions to foster environmentally friendly practices.

This ethos aligns with global sustainability efforts and sets an example for other industries, Mendis asserts, adding that by prioritising sustainability, Sri Lanka’s IT-BPM sector will attract socially responsible investors and customers, which in turn will enhance its global reputation.

On the social front, he is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry. Initiatives to empower women in tech, promote diversity in leadership and create an inclusive environment will ensure that the tech industry reflects the diversity of the nation.

These efforts will not only enhance employee well-being but also drive innovation and creativity. By creating a positive social impact, the IT-BPM sector will contribute to the development of Sri Lankan society, he concludes.