Let’s fulfil Good Governance work!

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

“This Ministry is a key institution of the economic reform and development vision of the government” said the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen on 4 October. Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the welcoming ceremony of newly appointed Secretary to Ministry of Industry and Commerce KDN Ranjit Ashoka.

“Our work is vast-from industries, SMEs, Cooperatives, international commerce, private sector development to even retail markets and consumer protection. This Ministry is a key institution of the economic reform and development vision of the government. Therefore the demands on our duties too are considerable. I am pleased that yet another experienced official 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 (Fiscal Policy and Economic Affairs). He joined the Samurdhi Authority as Director Planning in 2007 after which he functioned as an Additional Secretary, Education Ministry. Thereafter he was a Consultant to SLIDA from where he re-joined 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 the new Secretary Ashoka.

He was thereafter appointed the Director General of Department of Public Enterprises of Treasury from this January, before finally moved to the Industry and Commerce Ministry this Monday 2 October.  “I am looking forward to work closely with Minister Bathiudeen and to support him in his wide role. Minister Bathiudeen and the Ministry touches the lives of all Sri Lankans and I am looking forward to serve 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.