Sri Lanka gears up to host API Asia Conference 2023 - digital transformation and innovation

Colombo, Sri Lanka - The Federation of Information Technology Sri Lanka (FITIS) is gearing up to host the highly anticipated API Asia Conference 2023 for the second time. This year's conference is scheduled to take place on November 16 at the prestigious Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo. The event was officially launched at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) in the presence of State Minister of Technology, Kanaka Herath, and other distinguished government and industry officials.

During the launch ceremony, State Minister Kanaka Herath highlighted the pivotal role this year's conference would play in advancing Sri Lanka's digital economy. The conference will revolve around three crucial pillars: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Smart Cities, and Financial Technology (FinTech), all essential components of the digital ecosystem.

One of the key initiatives mentioned by the State Minister is the "DigiEcon Sri Lanka 2030" program, initiated under President Ranil Wickremesinghe's leadership. DigiEcon 2030 is a national digital acceleration program aligned with industry efforts to push forward Industry 4.0 and beyond, with a particular focus on the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Business Process Management (BPM) sector.

The API Asia Conference 2023 is expected to draw more than 500 professionals, including industry leaders, business executives, and technology experts. Under the theme "Fuelling the Digital Economy," the conference will feature esteemed global speakers from the Asia Pacific region, sharing insights on how organizations can excel in an increasingly competitive market through digital transformation.

State Minister Kanaka Herath emphasized the crucial role of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) in the government sector, private sector, and for the general public. He revealed that weekly press conferences leading up to the main event would unveil the details of the 18-plus individual events scheduled from mid-October to mid-November, continuing into the next year, all contributing to the overarching goal of establishing a robust digital economic framework.

FITIS Chairman, Indika De Soyza, highlighted the challenges faced by corporate executives in managing technology finances and growth effectively. He stressed the importance of technology integration, financial management, and sustainable growth. The conference, he noted, would provide valuable insights into the latest trends, best practices, and innovative API use cases, acting as a catalyst for business progression.

Sanjaya Dayananda, President of FITIS Software Chapter and Co-Chair of the API Asia Conference 2023, underscored the widespread influence of APIs across society and enterprise services. He emphasized that APIs are integral to the digital transformation efforts of organizations and highlighted FITIS's partnerships with leading API providers to facilitate local companies' connections and growth.

The API Asia Conference 2023 promises to be a pivotal event where industry leaders, tech enthusiasts, and forward-thinkers unite to shape the digital landscape of tomorrow. It stands as a beacon of innovation and collaboration, poised to usher in a new era of digital transformation and connectivity in Sri Lanka and the broader Asia Pacific region.

Notable attendees at the event included Mangala Rodrigo, FITIS Software Chapter Exco member and Co-Chair of the API Asia Conference, Thushera Kawdawatta, and the CEO of Axiata Digital Labs, the Strategic Partner of the API Asia Conference, alongside other government and private sector officials.