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
Mr E M S B Ekanayake
Secretary to the President
Chairperson
Dr Sankalpa Gamwarige
Nagarro
Appointed Member
Dr Anushka Wijesinha
–
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 N.P.N.M. Wickramasinghe
Additional Secretary, Development, Ministry of Technology
Appointed Member
Ms Randula de Silva
–
Appointed Member
Mr Rohitha Uduwawala
Additional Secretary, Development,Ministry of Higher Education
Appointed Member
Mr Thushara Vajra Perera
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINtec)
Appointed Member
Mr Cyril Suduwella Commissioner
Commissioner, Sri Lanka Inventors Commission
Appointed Member
Mrs. M.M.G.K. Meegahakotuwa
Director General, (Planning)
Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research & Innovation Division, Ministry of Education
Appointed Member
Mr H.C.D.L. Silva
Director General, Department of Treasury Operations Ministry of Finance
Mr E.A.Rathnaseela
Additional Director General, Department of National Planning, Ministry of Finance
Ms Samanthi Weerasinghe
Additional Secretary (Development and Innovation)
Mr P.L.Pathmakumara
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education (Administration)
Mr G.L.Gnanatheva
Director of Commerce, Department of Commerce
Mrs B. M.S.Bandara
Additional Secretary, (Development), Ministry of Trade
Mrs Geethanjali R. Ranawaka
DG, National Intellectual Property Office
Prof.N.M.S.Sirimuthu
–
Commissioner, SLIC
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)
Ganesha Wijesinghe
Accountant (ACT.G)
Pooja Malavisooriya
Dep Director HR
Vagira Perera
–
Lasitha Kumara
Office Assistant
Shanika Abeyratne
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