The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to appoint Rear Admiral Y.R. Serasinghe as the new Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Conservation Department.

Rear Admiral Pujitha Vithana, who had served as the Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Conservation Department, retired from the service on September 13, 2024 after the completion of 55 years of service. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Defense, to appoint Rear Admiral Y.R. Serasinghe to the said post of Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Conservation Department.

Serasinghe is serving as a Deputy Director General of the Department of Coast Conservation at present.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet of Ministers has also granted approval to appoint Dr. T.M.J. Nilan Cooray to the post of Director General of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) on a contract basis.

Since Prof. Gamini Ranasinghe, who served as the Director General of the Central Cultural Fund, has resigned from the post, the said post is presently vacant. 

It has been recognized that Dr. T.M.J. Nilan Cooray, who has training and experience in the field of local and foreign archeology, architecture and archeology conservation, and has given leadership and guidance to many publication projects and academic research, is suitable for the said post, the Cabinet Spokesman said. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Buddhism, Religious and Cultural Affairs, National Integration, Social Security, and Mass Media to appoint Dr. T.M.J. Nilan Cooray to the post of Director General of the CCF on a contract basis.