The legal professional joins 99x’s team as Chief Legal and Governance Officer
Technology company 99x announced the appointment of legal professional Shalini Ratwatte as its Chief Legal and Governance Officer. With over 25 years of extensive experience in legal and compliance, policy development and strategic planning, Shalini will play a tactical role in 99x’s plans for expansion in international markets.
“As we navigate through challenges in these pandemic times, we at 99x have kept our sights steady on our long-term goals and are gearing our leadership to be at the helm as we enter new arenas. In line with this, I am extremely pleased to welcome Shalini, who really strengthens our team with her wealth of experience across industries,” noted 99x Founder and CEO Mano Sekaram, while commenting on the appointment. “Her unique knowledge in working for technology companies such as Microsoft, in driving legal, policy and compliance initiatives on emerging technology, digital transformation, cyber security, data privacy and intellectual property rights across countries, I believe, will prove to be vital in 99x’s continuing journey.”
“I look forward to harnessing my knowledge and skills in my role at 99x, as the company readies itself for its next wave of growth. The team I have joined is a highly experienced one that has scaled 99x to great heights, both locally and globally, and I am certain that together, we will be able to continue in this upward trend, by developing new market positioning and driving growth,” stated Shalini Ratwatte, on her role.
In addition to her position at 99x, Shalini sits on the boards of conglomerate Sunshine Holdings PLC and Environmental Foundation (Guarantee) Limited as Non-Executive Board Director – Legal & Corporate Affairs. She is also the pro-bono CEO of Shanthi Maargam (Guarantee) Limited, a registered NGO providing support for children and youth to improve their emotional well-being in lower income settlements the with the goal of breaking the cycle of violence in communities.
Shalini is a Life Member of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Colombo. She was the Country Representative for the Business Software Alliance (BSA) in Sri Lanka for six years before shifting to Microsoft, as its Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs, South East Asia New Markets. In that capacity, she oversaw operations across six countries, driving awareness and education, enforcement and policy on cybersecurity, data privacy, intellectual property rights and anti-piracy. Before specializing in Cyber Security and IP Law, Shalini was in the capital markets industry for over 10 years, though is better known for her passion for wildlife and conservation and the landmark cases she initiated as an environmental lawyer at the Environmental Foundation of Sri Lanka.
Headquartered in Sri Lanka, 99x is a technology company co-creating well-engineered, innovative digital products for the Scandinavian market. Its expertise has been proven through a portfolio of over 150 impactful global digital products developed since 2004, together with leading Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). 99x employs over 350 technology and product specialists, who are high achievers, creative thinkers and team players. The company is one of Asia’s Best Workplaces for 2020 and has been named a Best Workplace in Sri Lanka for eight consecutive years.