Sri Lanka’s biggest Free Fire event DIALOG-SLESA All-Island Free Fire Championship returns for its second year with a Rs. 1mn prize pool

by admin | Oct 25, 2023 | News

For the consecutive second year, the Sri Lanka Esports Association (SLESA) is hosting the DIALOG-SLESA All-Island Free Fire Championship. This prestigious event, spotlighting the globally renowned game Free Fire, is generously supported by its primary sponsor, Dialog, in collaboration with its strategic partner, Gamer.LK.

The championship held entirely online boasts an impressive prize pool of Rs. 1 million, reflecting the growing significance and investment in the Esports arena in Sri Lanka. The district qualifier stage, which commenced on 18th September, is set to culminate with a two-day Grand Final scheduled for late November.

Players first take part in the district qualifier stage where teams have to earn their right to represent their district at the district final round by making their way through a group stage, semi-finals and a qualifier final. This year also features a Solo Wildcard round where individual players will battle it out to be placed into one team which will also make their way to the district final round. The teams that make it through the district final round earn the right to represent their district at the All-Island semi-final round, after which the top 12 teams qualify for the Grand Finals.

Last year’s Championship, saw over 2,000 participants take part where team nA NEVERSTOP, who were selected to represent the Mongarala district emerged victorious. Popular Free Fire game streamers hosted watch parties on their social media channels, creating massive interest and bringing together a fledgling community of young aspirants as they compete on the national stage.

“The DIALOG-SLESA All-Island Free Fire Championship showcases the thriving Esports culture in Sri Lanka. We are excited to witness the growth of our local talent and provide them a platform to shine on the national stage and thereby set their sights on breaking into the international Free Fire arena,” said Raveen Wijayatilake, President of SLESA.

Esports, the country’s fastest-growing sport, is officially recognised by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Sports. Sri Lankan Esports athletes have competed internationally, most recently at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Founded in 2012 by Gamer.LK and four other members, SLESA has systematically fostered the sport’s growth in the country, gaining international recognition.

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, has been at the helm of uplifting Esports for over a decade by powering gaming competitions in Sri Lanka. In the recent past, Dialog’s strategic partnership with SLESA has empowered the training and development of vital skills for avid local gamers and help bring structured Esports to all corners of the island. With the widest 4G coverage in Sri Lanka and constantly network optimisations, Dialog delivers on its commitment towards bridging the digital divide by enabling Esports to prosper in the rural peripheries of Sri Lanka.

Stay tuned for more updates and thrilling matches as the Dialog SLESA All-Island Free Fire Championship 2023 unfolds. For updates about the event and to watch the matches, visit the Sri Lanka Esports Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/srilankaesports.

Gamer.LK Brings Esports Excitement to hSenid, Elevating Workplace Engagement

by admin | Sep 2, 2023 | News

Gamer.LK, the premier Esports organisation in Sri Lanka recently joined forces with hSenid Business Solutions PLC to curate an exhilarating Esports series exclusively for the company’s workforce. Underscoring its commitment to taking the thrill of Esports to workplaces, Gamer.LK continues to work with innovative companies like hSenid who wish to embrace the sport of the future and create a dynamic work culture through competitive gaming at the workplace.

With a legacy spanning over 26 years, hSenid Business Solutions PLC holds the distinction of being Sri Lanka’s first enterprise software company listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. The company’s unwavering focus on innovation and versatility is evident in its diverse suite of offerings, catering not only to Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) but also encompassing Human Resource Outsourcing and Employee Tracking Solutions & Access Control. The company’s reach extends across 6 countries, serving over 1 million users which span over 1,500 organizations across 20 industries in over 40 countries.

“We believe in nurturing a workplace that resonates with the aspirations of our millennial and gen-z workforce,” says Dinushan Thennakoon, Head of Human Resources at hSenid Business Solutions PLC. “Our first-ever Esports series is a testament to our dedication to providing our employees with an engaging and enjoyable work atmosphere. It’s heartening to witness the enthusiastic participation and the positive impact of Esports on our employees.”

Competitive gaming serves as an engaging platform at a workplace for employees to develop and enhance skills crucial to their professional growth. The strategic thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability required in Esports mirror the very qualities that drive success in the corporate world thereby creating an avenue for employees to hone their decision-making abilities, refine their communication skills, and embrace innovation—all while enjoying a captivating recreational activity.

hSenid’s dedication to innovation, employee satisfaction, and team-building was commendable as it aims to position itself as the premier choice for millennials and the gen-z workforce seeking an enriching and progressive work environment. Gamer.LK worked with the teams at hSenid, namely hSenidBiz HR and the Club at hSenid to curate this event for its employees and make it a success.

Vasana Gunasekera, the project coordinator for the event, expressed her satisfaction with the seamless execution: “The Esports series brought together employees in an entirely new and exciting way and the event went off without any issues. The coordination with Gamer.LK worked seamlessly, and the positive energy among the teams was palpable.”

Gamer.LK is poised to lead the charge in transforming the corporate landscape through the power of competitive gaming. As the momentum grows and more companies like hSenid experience the myriad benefits of integrating Esports into their work cultures, Gamer.LK stands ready to shine a spotlight on these success stories, demonstrating how Esports can truly invigorate teams, ignite innovation, and forge stronger bonds in the modern professional world.

Gamer.LK Makes History Again as First Sri Lankan Esports Company to Secure Back-to-Back Great Place to Work Certification

by admin | Aug 27, 2023 | News

Gamer.LK, the trailblazing force in Sri Lanka’s Esports landscape, is proud to announce its triumphant recognition as a certified Great Place to Work for the second consecutive year. This distinction, awarded by the esteemed global authority on workplace culture, Great Place to Work (GPTW), solidifies Gamer.LK’s position as a true leader in fostering an exceptional workplace environment within the realm of Esports. This achievement marks another milestone in Gamer.LK’s journey towards shaping South Asia’s Esports landscape through its global brand, InGame Esports.

GPTW’s rigorous evaluation delves deep into a company’s ethos, management practices, and employee perspectives. After careful analysis, companies are scored on their ‘Trust Index’ to determine their eligibility for this prestigious title. Gamer.LK’s remarkable workplace culture, underpinned by a shared passion for Esports and gaming culture, continues to shine through, resulting in Gamer.LK being awarded the certification.

Reflecting on this achievement, Raveen Wijayatilake, CEO of Gamer.LK and InGame Esports, emphasized, “Our journey to secure the Great Place to Work certification for the second year reflects the embodiment of our exceptional work culture. At InGame Esports & Gamer.LK, we have crafted an environment that seamlessly merges our passion for gaming with our commitment to excellence. This recognition reinforces our dedication to maintaining an environment where our team members thrive and collaborate, fostering innovation and camaraderie.”

Since its inception, Gamer.LK has experienced meteoric growth as a vital ecosystem builder in the Esports domain. In just a short span, the organization has expanded fourfold, now boasting a team of 27 dedicated professionals. This progress can be attributed to Gamer.LK’s unwavering commitment to fostering an environment that resonates with the distinctive mindset of gamers, allowing employees to thrive while working remotely.

The bedrock of Gamer.LK’s success lies in its commitment to trust and accountability. Driven by an enthusiastic team of experts, the organization has orchestrated some of South Asia’s most renowned gaming tournaments and events, revolutionizing how brands engage with the younger demographic through gaming-oriented content. The convergence of passion and profession, buoyed by a supportive team ethos, is what has catapulted Gamer.LK into the realm of Great Places to Work.

Great Place to Work, an institution originating in the USA, continues its mission to elevate workplaces across the globe into exceptional environments. As the foremost evaluator of high-trust and high-performance workplace cultures, GPTW serves as a consultant for Fortune magazine’s prestigious ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ list.

Gamer.LK’s ongoing success story as a certified Great Place to Work for the second year underscores its unwavering dedication to fostering a thriving and fulfilling work environment. With a steadfast commitment to its workforce and an unyielding passion for Esports, Gamer.LK sets the gold standard for workplace excellence in Esports, reshaping the contours of the Esports landscape one achievement at a time.

Gateway, Ananda & CSI shine at Gamer.LK’s Inter-School Esports Championship powered by SLT-MOBITEL

by admin | Jun 16, 2023 | News

The sixth edition of Gamer.LK’s Inter-School Esports Championship (ISEC) ’22 powered by SLT-MOBITEL came to a thrilling conclusion with the crowning of the overall champions. The event which saw over 90 schools across Sri Lanka participate, was held online and featured 10 popular games. A physical awards ceremony to felicitate the winners was held recently at SLT-MOBITEL’s Auditorium in Colombo.

The closely contested Championship series with 10 game titles, saw new entrants become champions for some of the more popular game titles. Bandaranayake College Gampaha received their first gold as the winners in Call of Duty 4, showcasing their impeccable skill and teamwork in the tournament. Meanwhile, Maliyadeva College Kurunegala became gold medalists in the highly contested PUBG MOBILE title, St. Joseph’s College Colombo won gold for the popular Free Fire title and in Valorant, it was Lyceum International School Wattala who earned the gold medal.

With an inspiring showcase of talent, Gateway College Colombo proved to be the ultimate victor once again, securing the overall Championship by claiming 3 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and 1 bronze medal. Ananda College came in second with Colombo South International College coming in third. This is the sixth consecutive Championship win for Gateway, who have managed to dominate the school-level Esports scene since 2016.

“I believe it is essential to recognize the potential of Esports beyond its recreational nature. While many may struggle to grasp its connection to educational goals, we at Gateway, understand the broader impact of Esports in education. By participating in structured programs like the Inter-School Esports Championship organized by Gamer.LK, our students have the opportunity to develop vital skills such as leadership, sportsmanship, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, interaction, and collaboration. We acknowledge the remarkable growth of competitive gaming, which has surpassed the billion-dollar mark and transformed the traditional sports industry. Esports has not only changed how people consume and engage with sports but has also opened up new revenue streams, sponsorship opportunities, and a whole new ecosystem of employment prospects. To fully embrace Esports and harness its potential, we must look beyond the games themselves. At Gateway, we recognize the value of Esports as we prepare our students for the opportunities in this ever-evolving digital landscape.” said Dr. Harsha Alles, Chairman of Gateway College.

Esports has been recognized as a key focus sport by the Ministry of Sports, highlighting the importance of exposing young people to Esports in schools. Its competitions at a school level can provide numerous benefits to students, such as improving their hand-eye coordination, critical thinking, problem-solving, and team communication skills.

“The Inter-School Esports Championship has been a significant part of the esports ecosystem in Sri Lanka since 2016. It is gratifying to witness young students participating in this Championship, and we are proud to be playing a role in promoting the benefits of well-organized and monitored school-level Esports. It is heartening to see more schools recognising the potential of Esports and taking part in this event to provide their students with a competitive edge in this emerging field.” said Raveen Wijayatilake, CEO of Gamer.LK and InGame Esports and President, Sri Lanka Esports Association.

This year’s Championship was powered by SLT-MOBITEL, the National ICT Solutions Provider who came onboard as the title partner. SLT-MOBITEL has been at the forefront of empowering digital entertainment and Esports in Sri Lanka with product offerings catering to gamers in the country.

“We are proud to have powered the Gamer.LK’s Inter-School Esports Championship 2022. Congratulations to the Gateway College Colombo who have showcased their prowess winning for the 6th time. Our support towards the competition highlights SLT-MOBITEL’s commitment in fostering the growth of esports in Sri Lanka. SLT-MOBITEL as a leading telecommunications provider is firmly dedicated in empowering the youth to grow their passion for gaming and esports. In endorsing the Championship, we aimed to provide a platform for talented student gamers to showcase their skills and pursue their dreams in the competitive gaming arena. We believe in the transformative power of esports and its ability to nurture teamwork, strategic thinking, and digital skills among the next generation,” stated Prabhath Dahanayake, Group Chief Marketing Officer, SLT-MOBITEL

The Championship is set to return for its seventh edition later in 2023.