Yasas Hewage assumed duties as Chairman of the Industrial Development Board (IDB) on Monday (01), taking leadership of one of Sri Lanka’s longest-standing enterprise development institutions with a legacy spanning 60 years.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Hewage brings nearly two decades of experience spanning banking and finance, business strategy, sales and marketing, entrepreneurship development, and sports tourism.
Prior to this appointment, he served as Private Secretary to the Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and continues to contribute as a member of the SME Nexus Initiative, the National SME Strategy Framework Development Team, and the Institutional Transformation Leadership Team supporting the establishment of the proposed Entrepreneurship and Industry Transformation Authority (EITA).
During his banking career at HSBC and NDB Bank, Hewage held leadership roles in retail banking, SME business development, strategy, and branch banking. At NDB, he was part of the institution’s transformation journey from its development banking roots into a leading commercial bank, contributing to group strategy and business transformation initiatives that strengthened competitiveness, growth, and customer relevance.
He is also widely recognised for his work in entrepreneurship development and executive coaching, having worked with thousands of entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, and professionals across Sri Lanka.
“Sri Lanka’s industrial transformation must be built on a deep appreciation of our past and a bold vision for the future. Centuries ago, this nation conceived and delivered architectural and engineering marvels that continue to inspire the world. The Jetavanaramaya remains the largest brick structure ever built and one of the tallest constructions of the ancient world, a remarkable achievement of design, engineering, planning, and execution. Yet over time, the culture of creativity, innovation, manufacturing excellence, and engineering leadership that once defined our civilisation gradually faded from the centre of our national development journey. The challenge of our generation is to rediscover that confidence, reconnect with those roots, and build a new era of industrial excellence powered by technology, creativity, entrepreneurship, and sustainability,” Hewage said, commenting on the appointment. (Newswire)