I was surprised when I received an email confirmation of the scholarship to participate in the conference of SOTM 2017. It was the first time to participate in the international SOTM which was held in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, Japan.

My application of talk SOTM 2017 was selected and I got an opportunity to present the OSM in Sri Lanka in the conference which has given me the opportunity to express my country circumstances of OSM activities and Importance of the OSM activities in Sri Lanka.

SOTM 2017 has given me an opportunity to meet other scholars and most important why I participated that it was to introduce the Sri Lankan OSM community activities and understand about the other OSM community.

I had a chance to meet other OSM community members, researchers, lecturers and other experts and I had wonderful days in Japan. I love Japan Community and their dedicate, punctuality, kind and ect.. if I have a chance to visit to Japan again definitely It will be a great opportunity.

I also plan to become a member of the OpenStreetMap Foundation, and form an OpenstreetMap foundation in Sri Lanka.

Finally I take this opportunity to thank to OpenstreetMap Foundation, Donors, Japan OpenStreetMap Foundation that they gave me the opportunity to participate in STOM 2017 Conference.