Gihan Dias

Gihan Dias

Biography

Prof. Dias has been a well-known figure in the Internet world since 1988, and has extensive knowledge and experience in both the technical operation of the Internet and socio-economic issues. He has a proven track record in leading non-profit organizations, and has excellent written and spoken communications skills. He has been working with the Internet Society since 1994 and is currently President of the Internet Society, Sri Lanka Chapter.

An engineer by profession, Prof. Dias was awarded a Ph.D. from the University of California. In addition to being a professor at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, he is the CEO of the LK Domain Registry. He led the initiative to make computers and the Internet available in local languages.

In 2013, he was inducted to the Internet Hall of Fame for his pioneering work in building the Internet in Sri Lanka.

He was the founder president of Lanka Academic Network, a global non-profit organisation. He has worked with numerous international organisations such as ICANN, IETF, APRICOT and several other Asia-Pacific bodies in addition to the Internet society. He has also served on the board of several public and non-government bodies.

As a Trustee of the Internet Society from 2014-2017, his main objective was to enhance the role of chapters to drive the policies and operations of ISoc. He worked closely with the Chair, other board members, CEO, Staff and other stakeholders to strengthen ISoc and to make it the strong and clear voice of the Internet community. He worked to ensure the financial strength as well as independence of the Society and its chapters.