New Industry and Commerce Secy. worked in trade, FTAs  

The newly-appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce was a Sri Lanka administrative service official who also has a grasp of FTAs and fiscal policies.

“This ministry is a key institution of the economic reform and development vision of the Government,” said Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen yesterday. 

Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the welcoming ceremony of newly-appointed Ministry Secretary K.D.N. Ranjit Ashoka.

“Our work is vast - from industries, SMEs, cooperatives, international commerce and private sector development to even retail markets and consumer protection. Therefore the demands on our duties too are considerable. I am pleased that yet another experienced official is joining us as Secretary to take forward the good governance mandate of the Unity Government.”

New Secretary Ashoka joined Sri Lanka administrative service in 1990. In 1995 he joined the Ministry of Finance, becoming a Deputy Director of Fiscal Policy and Economic Affairs. He joined the Samurdhi Authority as Director Planning in 2007 after which he functioned as an Additional Secretary of the Education Ministry. Thereafter he was a Consultant to SLIDA from where he rejoined the Finance Ministry as Director General of Trade and Investment Policy. “I gained great experience on trade and free trade agreement work. I understood how to safeguard domestic markets and develop our trade as well,” explained Ashoka.

He was thereafter appointed the Director General of the Department of Public Enterprises of Treasury from this January, before finally moving to the Industry and Commerce Ministry this Monday, 2 October. “I am looking forward to working closely with Minister Bathiudeen and to support him in his wide role. Minister Bathiudeen and the ministry touch the lives of all Sri Lankans and I am looking forward to serving the public as per the good governance vision of our Unity Government,” said Secretary Ashoka.  

 Secretary Ashoka is a B Com graduate (1986) from Colombo University.