Computer Society of Sri Lanka has officially launched the CSSL CIO Forum 2026 and unveiled the CSSL National CIO List 2025, reinforcing its continued commitment to strengthening ICT leadership excellence and advancing Sri Lanka’s digital economy.
The initiative reflects CSSL’s role as the country’s leading professional ICT body, focused on building digital capability, fostering innovation and developing future-ready leadership across the technology sector. The CIO Forum and National CIO List are designed as a structured national platform to recognise, connect and empower Chief Information Officers who are driving digital transformation across industries.
The CIO Forum 2026 will function as a high-level professional platform for senior ICT leaders to engage in strategic discussions shaping the future of enterprise technology and national digital development. Key focus areas include artificial intelligence (AI)-driven transformation, cybersecurity resilience, cloud adoption, enterprise architecture, data governance and digital public infrastructure development.
These themes are considered critical to strengthening Sri Lanka’s digital economy and enhancing competitiveness across both public and private sector organisations. As digital transformation accelerates, CIOs are playing an increasingly important role in aligning technology investments with business strategy, improving operational efficiency and enabling innovation-led growth.
Alongside the forum, CSSL has introduced the National CIO List, a recognition programme designed to identify and honour outstanding Chief Information Officers in Sri Lanka. The initiative highlights leaders who demonstrate excellence in technology leadership, innovation delivery, strategic alignment and measurable business impact through digital initiatives.
The National CIO List is based on a structured evaluation framework that assesses CIOs across multiple dimensions, including strategic leadership, innovation capability, governance maturity, digital execution and overall contribution to organisational transformation, positioning it as a key benchmark for ICT leadership recognition in Sri Lanka.
Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas to Leave Senior Role at International Monetary Fund Research Department
Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas will return to academia at the University of California, Berkeley effective 1 July 2026, marking the end of his tenure as Economic Counsellor and Director of the Research Department at the International Monetary Fund, according to an announcement by Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
Gourinchas joined the IMF in 2022 and led the institution’s Research Department during a period marked by major global economic disruptions, including the post-pandemic recovery phase, elevated inflation, geopolitical tensions and increasing economic fragmentation.
Kristalina Georgieva praised his leadership, noting that he provided strong intellectual direction during a time of “extraordinary global uncertainty” and ensured that the Fund’s analytical work remained highly relevant to its member countries. She also expressed appreciation for his service, dedication and contributions to the institution’s global mandate.
Under his leadership, the Research Department produced key flagship publications such as the World Economic Outlook and the External Sector Report, strengthening the IMF’s ability to assess global spillovers, risks and policy trade-offs in a rapidly evolving economic environment.
He also advanced analytical work on topics including geo-economic fragmentation, global inflation dynamics and global imbalances. In addition, he supported the development of new tools and frameworks such as the AI Preparedness Index, the Structural Reforms Impact Tool, RES DataHub and next-generation macroeconomic models.
More recently, he played a key role in developing alternative scenarios assessing the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, which informed discussions during the IMF Spring Meetings and was widely valued by member countries.
Beyond research contributions, Gourinchas was recognised for fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture, supporting staff development and promoting intellectual curiosity within the institution, while also contributing to high-level surveillance and program work across the IMF’s global operations.
CSSL Introduces National CIO Forum and CIO List to Advance Sri Lanka’s Digital Economy
