Ericsson veteran Mats Hultin takes board seat at Rootcode, signals new era of growth

In a significant move for Sri Lanka's technology sector, Mats Hultin, the former CIO of global telecommunications giant Ericsson, has joined the Board of Directors of Rootcode, one of the nation's most promising advanced technology firms.

- BY Nishel Fernando

From left: Mats Hultin, Mangala Perera (Rootcode Partner and COO) and Alagan Mahalingam

This strategic partnership signals a new phase of ambitious global expansion for the company. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades at the pinnacle of the tech industry, Hultin brings a wealth of experience in scaling large organizations and navigating the complexities of the global market. His decision to invest his expertise in a Sri Lankan company underscores the growing recognition of the nation's tech talent and potential. Rootcode, founded by CEO Alagan Mahalingam, has already carved a niche for itself by tackling complex, high-stakes technology projects for international clients, including several European governments-a feat rarely achieved by firms from the region. Mirror Business sat down with Mats Hultin and Alagan Mahalingam for an exclusive discussion. Hultin shared his impressions of Sri Lanka's evolving tech landscape, his strategic vision for Rootcode, his insights on the transforming role of the CIO, and his blueprint for helping Rootcode achieve a multi-billion dollar valuation. Below are the excerpts of the discussion.

Mats Hultin: Thank you. It's wonderful to be back. I've always had very good experiences in Sri Lanka, but the change I see now after 15 years is significant. Previously, I observed a lot of service-oriented buildup in the tech industry here. What I see now, especially through my engagement with Rootcode, is a very modern, front-edge technology company. This isn't just about services anymore; it's about pioneering with advanced technology, which is thrilling.