Board of Investment (BOI) Chairman Susantha Ratnayake has resigned from his position with immediate effect, government sources said.

It is learnt that Ratnayake has quit the post citing undue interference from a “higher authority”. However, he has told media that the resignation was due to personal reasons and he took up the post only for a year.

The appointment of Susantha Ratnayake, a well-known corporate leader, was one of the first appointments made by President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa after assuming office.

Susantha Ratnayake has held a number of high-ranking positions in the corporate sector including the Chairmanship of John Keells Holdings.

With over 30 years of management experience, Ratnayake served as Chairman and CEO of John Keells Holdings PLC from January 2006 to December 2018. He has been a member of its Board of Directors since 1992/93.

In addition, a number of institutions and companies, including the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Ceylon Tea Board, have been successful under his guidance in recent times.