Dear APRALO Community and ICANN Staff, I am pleased to express my interest in serving as Vice Chair of the Asia Pacific Regional At-Large Organization (APRALO). As an active member of the ICANN At-Large community from Sri Lanka, my engagement in Internet governance has been driven by a strong commitment to advancing the interests of end users, particularly from underrepresented and underserved communities across the Asia-Pacific region. Having actively engaged in Internet governance processes at national, regional, and global levels, I have seen firsthand the persistent gaps in awareness, capacity, and meaningful participation particularly from underrepresented economies, youth professionals, and marginalized communities. I currently serve as the Country Coordinator for the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and as the Founding Chairman and Director of the Lanka School on Internet Governance (LKSIG), where I lead national and regional initiatives focused on capacity building, awareness, and multistakeholder engagement. Through these roles, I have been actively contributing to strengthening inclusive participation in Internet governance processes and bridging the gap between global policy discussions and local implementation. My involvement within the ICANN ecosystem includes active engagement with APRALO and the broader At-Large community. I am a member of the ALAC Community Engagement Subcommittee, where I contribute to enhancing community outreach and participation strategies. I am also a member of the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF) Multi-Stakeholder Group, serving as a Co-Convener of the Event Committee and a member of the Programme Committee, contributing to the planning and delivery of regional policy dialogues and capacity building initiatives. Additionally, I am a member of the Asia Pacific School on Internet Governance (APSIG) and a former Secretary of the Internet Society Sri Lanka Chapter, where I have led and supported national-level Internet governance and community development efforts. Professionally, I bring over 15 years of experience in digital transformation, capacity building, and digital governance. In my current role as Senior Manager – Capacity Building at the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka, I lead national programmes focused on digital inclusion, digital skills development, and public sector digital transformation. My work involves designing and implementing large-scale initiatives that enhance digital literacy, promote responsible technology use, and strengthen institutional capacity across diverse stakeholder groups. This experience has provided me with a strong foundation in programme design, stakeholder engagement, and policy-oriented capacity building, which are directly relevant to APRALO’s mission. I have also been actively engaged in regional and global Internet governance processes, including participation in ICANN and IGF-related initiatives. As an ICANN Fellow (ICANN86 and ICANN82) and APSIG Fellow, I have developed a strong understanding of ICANN’s bottom-up, multistakeholder model and the importance of ensuring meaningful and informed participation from end users across the region. If elected as Vice Chair, I am committed to supporting the APRALO Chair and Leadership Team in advancing APRALO’s strategic priorities and strengthening its role within the At-Large community. I will particularly focus on: • Enhancing community engagement across APRALO, with a special emphasis on marginalized communities and youth by expanding outreach efforts and creating more accessible engagement pathways. • Promoting Internet localization and inclusive participation to ensure broader representation in ICANN processes • Supporting initiatives that improve language accessibility, local content development, and awareness, enabling broader participation across diverse linguistic and cultural contexts. • Developing and promoting structured onboarding, mentorship, and training programmes to enable new and existing members to meaningfully participate in ICANN policy processes. • Strengthening collaboration within APRALO, across RALOs, and with ICANN Org, ALAC, and other stakeholders • Support transparent, accountable, and efficient processes within APRALO, including better communication, documentation, and follow-up on action items. I bring a collaborative, inclusive, and action-oriented leadership approach, grounded in practical experience across national, regional, and global multistakeholder environments. I am committed to upholding ICANN’s principles of openness, transparency, and bottom-up policymaking, and to ensuring that APRALO continues to be a strong, diverse, and impactful voice for Internet end users in the Asia-Pacific region. Serving as Vice Chair will allow me to contribute more directly to strengthening APRALO’s organizational effectiveness, enhancing community engagement, and supporting inclusive, bottom-up participation in ICANN processes. I am particularly motivated to help transform participation from passive attendance to active and informed contribution. I look forward to contributing to a stronger, more inclusive APRALO. T Thank you. Kasun Tharaka Wickramasuriya Sri Lanka -- [image: green_tree10.jpg]*Save a tree. Think Green - Read on Screen. 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