CloudSpace v1.0 – Phase 1
CloudSpace v1.0 – Phase 1, organized by the IEEE Computer Society Student Branch Chapter of SLTC, was successfully held on July 19, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM. The event was themed "Cloud Essentials and Future Impact" and served as the kickoff session of a broader multi-phase cloud initiative. It aimed to equip undergraduate students with foundational cloud computing knowledge and insights into how cloud technology is shaping future careers and industrial practices.
The workshop drew participation from over 120 students representing both state and non-state universities across Sri Lanka, creating a collaborative and intellectually engaging environment. It provided a vital platform for young tech enthusiasts to interact with industry professionals and deepen their understanding of cloud fundamentals, including cloud platforms, deployment models, cloud-native development, and cloud security.
The event began with a warm welcome and an opening address by the moderator, who introduced the purpose and long-term vision of the CloudSpace initiative. This was followed by a speech from the Project Chairperson, who emphasized the relevance of cloud literacy in today's evolving digital ecosystem and expressed sincere gratitude to the speakers, guests, organizing team, and attendees.
A significant highlight was the presence of Mr. Manoj Fernando, Leader of the AWS User Group Colombo, who attended as the Chief Guest. Representing the official Knowledge Partner, Mr. Fernando shared his expert perspective on the transformative role of cloud computing both in Sri Lanka and on a global scale. He discussed the value of early exposure to leading cloud platforms such as AWS and stressed the importance of cloud infrastructure in driving digital transformation across diverse sectors.
The event was further honored by the presence of distinguished guests from SLTC, including Dr. Sanika Wijayasekara, Dean of the Faculty of Computing and IT; Mr. Asitha Wijewardana, Head of the Department of Software Engineering; Ms. Asanka Ranasinghe, Lecturer in Software Engineering; and Mr. Lakshitha Abeywickrama, President of the Interactive Society of SLTC. Their presence was a strong reflection of SLTC’s commitment to nurturing future-ready, industry-aligned student competencies.
The technical sessions of the day featured a line-up of highly experienced industry professionals. The first session was led by Mr. Lahiru Hewawasam, Cybersecurity Manager at Fortude, who gave a comprehensive talk on cloud security. He addressed crucial areas like data integrity, access control mechanisms, and the design of secure cloud environments, providing a well-rounded view of how enterprises safeguard their cloud assets.
Following this, Mr. Lakindu Hewawasam, Technical Lead at Surge Global, presented an insightful session on cloud infrastructure and architecture. He explained core concepts such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and serverless computing. His session also covered microservices and container orchestration, offering students a structured understanding of how scalable and efficient cloud systems are designed.
The third technical session was conducted by Mr. Chameera Dulanga, Technical Lead at Enlear, who explored modern DevOps practices in cloud development. He covered the implementation of CI/CD pipelines, deployment automation techniques, and the integration of cloud-native principles in agile workflows. His session offered practical knowledge on how companies ensure scalability, agility, and operational excellence in cloud environments.
The final technical session featured Ms. Thamodi Wickramasinghe, Associate Tech Lead at Fortude, who discussed career opportunities within the cloud ecosystem. She introduced the students to cloud certification pathways such as AWS, Azure, and GCP, and explored various emerging job roles including Cloud Architect, DevOps Engineer, and Site Reliability Engineer. She also shared valuable career tips on how students can enhance their visibility through open-source contributions, build impactful portfolios, and remain competitive in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Each session included interactive Q&A segments, where students enthusiastically posed questions and received direct responses from the speakers. These segments encouraged deeper learning and personalized engagement, making the sessions not only informative but also highly interactive.
To foster further engagement and add a fun dimension to the workshop, a cloud-themed quiz session was conducted. Participants were grouped into teams and competed by answering questions related to cloud computing concepts discussed during the event. Winners received exciting prizes and CloudSpace-branded souvenirs, making the experience both educational and enjoyable.
The event concluded with a group photograph featuring all the speakers, attendees, organizers, and guests, capturing the spirit of unity and enthusiasm that defined CloudSpace v1.0. A heartfelt vote of thanks was then delivered by the Project Secretary, who acknowledged the support and contributions of the speakers, AWS User Group Colombo as the Knowledge Partner, the organizing committee, and every participant who made the event a success.
CloudSpace v1.0 – Phase 1 proved to be more than just an academic workshop; it was a launchpad for cloud-centric learning and career exploration. Students left the event not only with a solid foundation in cloud technologies but also with renewed motivation to pursue certifications, internships, and independent cloud projects. By combining technical sessions with interactive learning and real-world industry exposure, the workshop achieved its objective of instilling cloud proficiency among Sri Lankan undergraduates.
This event also reinforced the transformative potential of initiatives like AWS User Group Colombo in bridging the gap between academic learning and industry needs. As CloudSpace continues into future phases, with planned certification bootcamps, project based training, and hands-on cloud labs, the groundwork laid by Phase 1 promises even greater impact.
The success of CloudSpace v1.0 – Phase 1 stands as a shining example of how student-led efforts, when supported by institutions and industry, can spark meaningful change and drive professional readiness in emerging fields like cloud computing.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
-
Add Event to Calendar
- Contact Event Host
-
Nishada Thathsara
Chairperson - IEEE CS SBC of SLTC
Email: nishadathathsara@ieee.org
Contact: +94 711373678
- Starts 14 July 2025 04:30 AM UTC
- Ends 18 July 2025 06:29 PM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
Mr. Lahiru Hewawasam
Cloud Security and Risk Mitigation
Mr. Lahiru Hewawasam, Cybersecurity Manager at Fortude, led the first session with a focus on cloud security and risk mitigation. He covered essential topics like data integrity, access control, and secure cloud design, offering participants a clear understanding of how organizations safeguard their cloud infrastructure and the critical role of cybersecurity in cloud deployments.
Biography:
Mr. Lahiru Hewawasam is a highly skilled cybersecurity professional currently serving as the Manager of Information Security at Fortude and as a Tech Lead in AWS User Groups, Colombo. With a solid educational foundation, he holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Computer Networks and Security from the University of Staffordshire, as well as a Master of Science (MSc) in Information Technology specializing in Cyber Security from the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT).
Throughout his career, Mr. Lahiru has gained extensive experience in cybersecurity, focusing on protecting digital assets, cloud infrastructure, and ensuring compliance with international security standards. Before joining Fortude, he made significant contributions at Axiata Digital Labs, where he led global cybersecurity operations and helped enhance the company’s security posture across diverse platforms. His expertise spans key areas such as Zero Trust Architecture, Cloud Security, Social Engineering, and Phishing attack prevention.
Mr. Lahiru is recognized as a thought leader in the cybersecurity community and has been honored as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Network Security. He actively shares knowledge through presentations and awareness sessions, helping organizations and individuals better understand emerging cyber threats and best practices for mitigation.
Beyond his technical capabilities, Mr. Lahiru is deeply committed to mentoring and guiding the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. His dedication to continuous learning and proactive approach to security challenges position him as a vital asset in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Email:
Mr. Lakindu Hewawasam
Cloud Infrastructure and Architecture
Mr. Lakindu Hewawasam, Technical Lead at Surge Global, delivered a comprehensive session on cloud infrastructure and architecture, covering IaaS, PaaS, serverless computing, and the use of microservices and container orchestration in cloud-native applications. His clear and structured delivery made these complex topics easily understandable for beginners.
Biography:
Lakindu Hewawasam is a Technical Lead at Surge Global, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, and an AWS Community Builder. With a strong background in architecting scalable, mission-critical systems, he specializes in cloud technologies including AWS, Azure, and infrastructure as code tools like Terraform. Lakindu is also a skilled full-stack developer with hands-on experience in C#, Node.js, TypeScript, React.js, Nest.js, and both SQL and NoSQL databases. Known for his leadership, problem-solving, and technical writing, he thrives in environments where strategic planning meets execution.
Email:
Agenda
- 10:00 AM Initiation & Lighting of Oil Lamp
- 10:10 AM Welcome Speech
- 10:15 AM Chief Guest Speech – Mr. Manoj Fernando
- 10:25 AM Session 1 – Technical Talks & Insights
- 12:55 PM Cloud-Themed Quiz
- 1:15 PM Token of Appreciation
- 1:25 PM Vote of Thanks
- 1:30 PM Conclusion & Group Photo