Mr. E M S B Ekanayake, Secretary to the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is equipped with a long-standing experience in the Public Service as a senior member of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service. He holds a Special Degree in Sociology from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration, and, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. He also holds a Diploma in Professional Diplomacy and International Relations from Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute.
Mr. Ekanayake has a multi-faceted experience in developing public policy on the areas of youth affairs, human resource management, poverty alleviation, housing and urban development, and media. His wide-ranging diplomatic experience of serving in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sri Lanka Missions in London and Kuala Lumpur, have been an added advantage for him in handling International Relations. Mr. Ekanayake has served as the Coordinator and the Country Programme Manager of UNHABITAT which implements projects to support conflict-affected people in the North and the East in Sri Lanka, by constructing houses, restoring community infrastructure and developing disaster resilient city plans. Prior to his present appointment, he has served as the Secretary to the Prime Minister.
Career Record
| ❖ | July 2022 to date | Secretary to the President |
| ❖ | May 2022 to July 2022 | Secretary to the Prime Minister |
| ❖ | January 2015 to November 2019 | Secretary to the Prime Minister |
| ❖ | June 2014 – January 2015 | Country Programme Manager UNHABITAT |
| ❖ | August 2013 – May 2014 | Coordinator UNHABITAT |
| ❖ | February 2012 – August 2013 | Director General/Ministry of Finance |
| ❖ | September 2008 – January 2012 | Minister, Sri Lanka High Commission, London |
| ❖ | September 2005 – September 2008 | Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| ❖ | August 2002 – August 2005 | Minister, Sri Lanka High Commission, Kuala Lumpur |
| ❖ | April 2000 – August 2002 | Director/Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| ❖ | November 1997 – April 2000 | Director/Administration, National Youth Services Council |
| ❖ | September 1996 – November 1997 | Deputy Director, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development |
| ❖ | September 1994 – September 1996 | Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and Rural Development |
| ❖ | June 1993 – September 1994 | Assistant Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office |
| ❖ | February 1992 – June 1993 | Assistant Director, Department of Government Information |
| ❖ | March 1989 – February 1992 | Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports |
| ❖ | November 1986 – March 1989 | Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Manpower Mobilization |
| ❖ | June 1986 – November 1986 | Assistant Secretary, Public Service Commission |
| ❖ | May 1985 – May 1986 | Sri Lanka Administrative Service Cadet, Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration |
