Indira Malwatte appointed as new Head of EDB

New EDB Chairperson and CEO Indira Malwatte (second from right) signs her appointment papers at the EDB yesterday as Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade Secretary Chandanie Wijewardhana (far left), former EDB DG S. Kulathunga and EDB Actg. DG Himali Jinadasa (far right) look on

Indira Malwatte took office as the first woman to lead the Export Development Board (EDB) yesterday. 

“I am very confident of making a positive contribution to the export effort of our country,” newly-appointed EDB Chairperson Malwatte said.

The EDB is the premier State organisation entrusted with the task of developing and promoting exports of products and services from Sri Lanka under the Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama, Malwatte noted in her short address to staff and other officials. 

“I am very confident of making a positive contribution to the export effort of our country using my extensive network with the relevant stakeholders both nationally and internationally and the will and ability to embark on a program of development, motivating the professional staff of the EDB thereby once again making them a highly capable and innovative team of officers.”

With the Government’s strong belief that private-public partnerships are essential for the growth of exports, Malwatte’s appointment as the Chairperson of EDB gives her a unique opportunity to serve the export community as an exporter of highly perishable products to new and demanding markets, the Industry and Commerce Ministry said in a short statement. 

Malwatte has served the Government both internationally and locally as a top export promotion officer with hands-on experience in the private sector. She also has knowledge on multi-sectors including industry, agriculture and services.

New Chairperson Malwatte is a product of Visakha Vidyalaya and the University of Peradeniya and has served as the focal point on a number of World Bank, ITC, GIZ, CBI and JETRO export development projects as well as in a number of Government and private sector boards undertaking several product development and export related consultancies.