Sri Lanka’s technology industry is entering a defining phase, where the focus is shifting beyond growth to how that growth is achieved. This shift shows a clear priority on balancing innovation with inclusion to build a sustainable and future-ready tech sector. This direction was strongly reflected at the SLASSCOM Women in Tech Conference 4.0, where industry leaders addressed a critical question on how to enable more women to step into leadership in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Among the companies contributing meaningfully, 99x brought both leadership perspective and lived experience into the spotlight. Opening the conference, Shehani Seneviratne, COO of 99x & Chairperson of SLASSCOM with Sindhu Gangadharan, Chairperson of NASSCOM delivered a keynote that set a clear and intentional tone. Centred on the theme ‘Give to Gain,’ the message positioned inclusion as one that requires organisations to actively create pathways for women to grow, lead, and influence decision-making, particularly as AI continues to reshape the future of work.
The conversation was strengthened by Samra Aman, Director Delivery 99x, and Dr. Mihirini de Zoysa, Leadership Coach, who spoke on leadership, wellbeing, and sustaining high-performance teams that resonated deeply with the audience. Moving beyond idealised leadership narratives, they brought attention to the often-unspoken realities of managing expectations, navigating pressure, and maintaining balance.
Samra added, “High performance often comes with invisible pressure. What matters is how organisations recognise that and create systems where people are supported, not stretched to a breaking point. Creating space for personal wellbeing alongside professional growth is essential, and how we manage daily tasks plays a critical role in sustaining productivity and effective leadership.”
This perspective reflects a broader shift within 99x, one where performance and people are interconnected priorities. This is most evident in initiatives such as the 99x Academy Scholarship Program, a structured five-year work-and-study pathway that integrates academic learning with real-world tech experience. By embedding participants into global teams and live projects from the outset, the programme is designed to accelerate both technical capability and leadership readiness.
Highlighting the impact of this approach, Shehani Seneviratne noted, “At 99x, we take real ownership of how talent is built. Programmes like our Academy are designed to give individuals meaningful opportunities from day one where they are part of real teams, working directly with customers, and trusted with responsibility. We’ve seen this come to life in journeys like Naduni Ranasinghe’s, progressing from an intern to a senior engineering role in 2025 within the 99x Academy program.
Having grown within 99x myself for over 20 years, I know how powerful that trust can be. It shapes how you see yourself, how you build confidence, and how you step into leadership. For many young women entering tech, that environment is what makes the difference it moves you from questioning whether you belong, to knowing you do, and believing you can lead.”
In an industry often driven by speed and scale, 99x is taking a different approach. The company believes that building great technology starts with building great environments where people, especially women feel trusted, supported, and are empowered to succeed.