HCL Technologies, a multinational Indian IT firm, said it hired 1,000 IT professionals in Sri Lanka since June last year when the company started its operations in the island nation as the Rajapaksa government has been pushing the sector in which it sees great growth potential.  Among the new workers are both fresh graduates as well as seasoned professionals of the industry, the Noida-based firm said in a statement.   

“We are optimistic about the country’s growth prospects and look forward to bringing in more global opportunities to the local community,” Apparao VV, the company’s chief human resources officer, was quoted as saying by The HCT Technologies.  

He said Sri Lanka has an “extremely talented and world-class pool of IT professionals” and the company would continue to play an increasing role in serving its over 2000 global clients and partners situated all over the globe.

In June, the Sri Lankan government had announced a plan to open five information technology parks in Kandy, Galle, and, Karunegala cities that would bring more information technologies firms to the country. For some years now, the Sri Lankan government has been pushing for expansion of the IT sector. Every year, thousands in the country get their degrees in engineering and other IT courses. 

The export revenue from the IT industry in Sri Lanka is close to $1.2 billion, with immense potential for further growth. 

In April this year, Ashok Pathirage, the chairman of Softlogic Holdings PVC, one of the biggest IT firms in the country, had said that the industry could easily touch $10 billion in export revenue if the right focus and thinking were in place. 

HCL Technologies, the Noida-based firm, has currently has offices in over 50 countries across the world. In the last year the firm has also launched several programs for technical and non-technical streams to help create a talent pool. 

“In addition to programs for new graduates, HCL Sri Lanka continuously hires experienced professionals for roles in digital, applications and infrastructure management and actively engages with talent through a host of online webinars and programs to drive its recruitment efforts,” the firm said.

(SAM)