Newly appointed Duminda Hulangamuwa has pledged to restore the authority of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) and transform it into a genuine one stop investment facilitation agency for both local and foreign investors.

Addressing BOI employees following his appointment, Hulangamuwa emphasised the need for the institution to regain the influence it once held in driving national economic growth. He said the agency must play a more effective role in attracting quality investments, expanding exports, and contributing towards narrowing Sri Lanka’s longstanding trade deficit.

Calling for a unified effort across the organisation, Hulangamuwa encouraged the BOI’s management and staff to work collectively towards achieving realistic investment targets. He also expressed his appreciation to outgoing Chairman Sulakshana Jayawardena for his contribution during his tenure.

Hulangamuwa’s appointment places one of Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s closest economic advisers at the helm of the country’s principal investment promotion agency.

A chartered accountant with more than four decades of experience in finance, taxation, auditing and public policy, Hulangamuwa retired on 30 June as Country Managing Partner of EY Sri Lanka and Maldives. He continues to serve as the Honorary Senior Economic Adviser to the President, a role he has held since September 2024.

Having represented Sri Lanka in engagements with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank on economic reforms and macroeconomic stability, he brings extensive policy experience to the position. Widely respected in the business community, the former Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman is expected to strengthen investor confidence while improving institutional efficiency and inter agency coordination, key priorities frequently highlighted by both domestic and international investors.