Govt. backs appointment of top professional as Chief Digital Economy Advisor

Saturday, 9 November 2024 00:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Vijitha Herath

The Government defended its recent appointment of Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, a top industry professional as Chief Adviser on Digital Economy, citing that the move will propel the country’s digital transformation agenda.

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Vijitha Herath on Tuesday said that Dr.Wijayasuriya, a renowned figure in the ICT landscape internationally, has made a significant personal sacrifice by stepping down from a lucrative position in the corporate world to support the Government’s vision for digital transformation.

“His commitment to Sri Lanka’s digital economy aspirations has been well-received within the industry, affirming his credibility and dedication to this mission,” Herath noted at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing.

Questions were raised at the briefing regarding a potential conflict of interest, as Dr.Wijayasuriya’s name and designation continue to appear on the corporate website of his former employer, creating speculation that his dual roles might lead to confusion.

However, Herath dismissed these concerns, attributing it to a possible delay in the company’s website update.

He underscored that the Government has full confidence in Dr.Wijayasuriya’s role and intentions.

“As of now, only the appointment letters for the position have been handed over. The strategic initiatives are yet to commence in the coming weeks,” he stressed.