Who We Are

About NIA_

National Innovation Agency

The National Innovation Agency (NIA) was established by the Parliamentary Act, No. 22 of 2019, with the aim of coordinating the Ministries, Institutions, and the Private sector for creating, improving, and sustaining a national innovation eco-system and providing support necessary for the relevant innovations from idea to market. This task was previously entrusted to the Coordinating Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI), which ceased its operations on 31 December 2021. The NIA took over, absorbing the human, physical and financial resources and other assets of COSTI, as per the Cabinet Decision taken on 08.03.2021 (CP No. 21/0388/308/021).

Accordingly, NIA became operational on 29.11.2021, with the Steering Council of NIA holding its first meeting.

The Agency operates under the purview of the Ministry of Education.

Our Steering Council

Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake

Secretary to the President

Chairperson

Dr Sankalpa Gamwarige

Nagarro

Appointed Member

Eng. Capt. Udaya Dampage

Kothalawala Defence University

Appointed Member

Dr Ranga Kalansooriya

Appointed Member

Eng. Heminda Jayaweera

Appointed Member

Prof.Rohan Munasinghe

Head of the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, University of Moratuwa

APPOINTED MEMBER

Mr Rohitha Uduwawala

Additional Secretary (Development and Innovation) – Ministry of Education, Science and Technology – Ex-Officio Member

Mr Thushara Vajira Perera

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINtec)

Mr Cyril Suduwella Commissioner

Commissioner, Sri Lanka Inventors Commission

Mrs. M.M.G.K. Meegahakotuwa

Director General, (Planning)

Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research & Innovation Division, Ministry of Education

Mr H.C.D.L. Silva

Director General, Department of Treasury Operations Ministry of Finance

Ms Samanthi Weerasinghe

Additional Secretary (Development and Innovation)

Mr P.L.Pathmakumara

Additional Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education (Administration)

Mrs Geethanjali R. Ranawaka

DG, National Intellectual Property Office

Ms Shiranthi Rathnayake

Additional Director General, NPD, Ministry of Finance – Ex-officio Member

Mr J.M. Thilakarathna Banda

Additional Secretary (Policy)

Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security – Ex-officio Member

Ms Ashika Gunasena Serasundera

Chief Executive Officer, Founding Director, Chrysalis – Appointed Member

Ms Anisha Gooneratne

Researcher and Strategist in Technology and Innovation, Centre for a Smart Future 

APPOINTED MEMBER

Ms Apsara Caldera

Additional Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education  Ex-Officio Member

Prof. Ajith de Alwis

Chief innovation officer

Our Team

Dr Sachie Panawala

Additional Chief INNOVATION OFFICER

Vindya Wijesinghe

Senior INNOVATION OFFICER

(Tech Transfer)

Thidasi Dahanayaka

Senior INNOVATION OFFICER

(Science Technology & Eco)

Navodi Wickramasinghe

Senior INNOVATION OFFICER

(Social & Services)

Nusaike Mufthie

Innovation Officer/Deputy Director

Layanthi Somasundaram

Innovation Officer/Deputy Director

Pooja Malavisooriya

Dep Director HR

Iresha Weerasinghe

Accountant

Shanika Abeyratne

Management Assistant Technical

Salika Peiris

Management Assistant

Jayani Wickramaarachchi

Management Assistant

Vagira Perera

Lasitha Kumara

Office Assistant