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
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
Layanthini Somasundaram
Innovation Officer/Deputy Director
Pooja Malavisooriya
DePUTY Director HR
Iresha Weerasinghe
Accountant
Shanika Abeyratne
Salika Peiris
Management Assistant
Jayani Wickramaarachchi
Management Assistant
Vagira Perera
–
Lasitha Kumara
Office Assistant