Mr. Udaya R. Seneviratne assumed duties as Secretary to the President this afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

He obtained his letter of appointment from President Maithripala Sirisena at the President’s office today (6).

Udaya R. Seneviratne worked as the Secretary of the Ministry of Science Technology and Research and retired from the position several months ago and then was appointed for this post, the PMD said.

As an officer who has obtained a broad and wider scope of experience working in the public sector for 37 years he has worked as a permanent secretary for the Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Highways and Road Development and Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, and as an Additional Secretary for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a Deputy Secretary for the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

Mr. Seneviratne who has worked chairing in establishing National Institute of Co-operative Development in Polgolla, has given leadership for major projects during his career.

A graduate from University of Kelaniya he has obtained the Vidyapathi degree on Mass Communication as well as the post graduate diploma on Development Communication and post graduate diploma on Regional Development and post graduate diploma on Management from the open university.

Seneviratne takes over from Mr Austin Fernando who resigned and bid farewell to his office yesterday (5).