Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM)
Definition
SLASSCOM: Sri Lanka Software & Services Association
SLASSCOM, or the Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies, is a national chamber for the island’s IT and BPO firms. Set up in 2008, it speaks for about 400 members and roughly 140,000 workers across the local IT-BPM sector.
The group was incorporated in 2008 and formally launched under its current name in 2010. It bills Sri Lanka’s tech sector as the “Island of Ingenuity” and pushes for a USD 3 billion annual export target by the mid-2020s.
Members range from homegrown Sri Lankan firms to global captive centres. The association mixes advocacy, talent-pipeline work, and startup programmes like Spiralation, which launched in 2013 to back local software ventures.
Key takeaways
- SLASSCOM is Sri Lanka’s IT-BPM industry chamber, incorporated in 2008.
- It represents about 400 members employing roughly 140,000 people.
- Focus pillars cover exports, talent, entrepreneurship, ESG, and policy.
- A USD 3 billion export target anchors its country-branding push.
- It coordinates with the EDB and ICTA on trade, IP, and data policy.
How it works
SLASSCOM operates through elected office-bearers, forums, and working groups that shape policy, promote exports, and run talent programmes. Since 2008, it has served as Sri Lanka’s main interface between government and roughly 400 software and BPO firms.
Membership is open to Sri Lanka-registered business process outsourcing, knowledge process outsourcing, and information technology outsourcing providers, plus shared services captives and engineering firms.
Governance sits with an elected chair, vice-chair, and executive committee drawn from member CEOs — working groups run under five focus pillars.
The Export Development Board of Sri Lanka and the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka coordinate with SLASSCOM on trade, IP, and data-protection policy.
| Focus pillar | What it covers | Typical output |
|---|---|---|
| Global trade and investment | Country branding, buyer missions, FDI promotion | Island of Ingenuity campaigns, trade delegations |
| Talent development | University partnerships, curriculum input, scholarships | Graduate pipeline programmes, certifications |
| Entrepreneurship and innovation | Startup support, AI and cyber centres of excellence | Spiralation accelerator |
| ESG and sustainability | Industry ESG standards, diversity initiatives | Sector ESG reporting frameworks |
| Policy and quality | Tax, data, IP, and labour advocacy | Government policy submissions |
Examples
Concrete examples of SLASSCOM’s work in 2024 include the Island of Ingenuity trade programme, the Spiralation startup accelerator, and joint policy submissions on data protection with the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka.
The Island of Ingenuity is SLASSCOM’s country-branding campaign for Sri Lankan tech. It underpins trade missions to the UK, Australia, and the Nordics, and supports foreign direct investment into Colombo-based captive centres.
Spiralation, launched in 2013, is SLASSCOM’s startup accelerator. It has backed dozens of Sri Lankan software ventures with mentoring, seed grants, and market-entry support. Alumni companies now serve clients across South Asia and the Gulf.
Talent programmes tie universities to industry through curriculum input, internships, and scholarships, feeding a graduate pipeline that supports Sri Lanka’s talent acquisition needs for tech, engineering, and analytics roles.
According to the World Bank, Sri Lanka’s services exports rebounded after 2023, and SLASSCOM’s USD 3 billion export target by the mid-2020s tracks that recovery.
Related terms
- Business process outsourcing (BPO): the broader industry SLASSCOM’s members serve, spanning voice, back-office, and finance work.
- Knowledge process outsourcing (KPO): higher-skill analytics, research, and legal work — a growth area for Sri Lankan providers.
- Information technology outsourcing (ITO): software development, testing, and infrastructure services, SLASSCOM’s original core segment.
- Offshoring consultant: specialists who advise buyers on where to place work, including Sri Lanka as an option.
- Shared services: captive centres run by multinationals, a large chunk of SLASSCOM’s membership base.
- Foreign direct investment (FDI): the cross-border capital SLASSCOM’s country-branding work targets for Sri Lankan tech.
- Talent acquisition: the hiring engine SLASSCOM’s talent pillar feeds with graduate hires for member companies.
FAQ
What does SLASSCOM stand for?
SLASSCOM stands for the Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies. It is the national industry chamber for the country’s IT and BPM sector.
When was SLASSCOM founded?
SLASSCOM was incorporated in 2008 and formally launched under its current name in 2010. It has since grown to represent about 400 member companies.
How many people work in Sri Lanka’s IT-BPM sector?
Around 140,000 people work across SLASSCOM member firms as of the mid-2020s. Membership spans software developers, KPO providers, and engineering-services companies.
What is Spiralation?
Spiralation is SLASSCOM’s startup accelerator, launched in 2013. It backs early-stage Sri Lankan software ventures with mentoring, seed grants, and market-entry support.
How does SLASSCOM support outsourcing buyers?
SLASSCOM connects overseas buyers with vetted Sri Lankan providers through trade missions, buyer roadshows, and country-branding campaigns like Island of Ingenuity. It also publishes industry data through its research arm.
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