Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, former CEO of Axiata Group, has been appointed as the Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy. He received his letter of appointment from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today (1 November).

Axiata Group Berhad today (1 November) announced that Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, CEO of Telecommunications Business and Group Executive Director, will step down from his role on 15 January 2025, following an invitation from the Government of Sri Lanka to lead the country’s digital economy agenda. Dr Wijayasuriya will assume the position of Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, alongside other related leadership roles.

In his interim role, Dr Wijayasuriya will continue his responsibilities at Axiata, facilitating a transition plan while advising on digital initiatives in a non-executive capacity for the Sri Lankan government, Axiata Group said.

Dr Wijayasuriya’s career with Axiata spans over three decades, during which he has driven the group’s telecommunications strategy across multiple markets, including Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Cambodia. He has also served on the Board of the GSMA, the global mobile industry’s governing body, and was awarded the GSMA Chairman’s Award in 2024, acknowledging his contributions to the global telecom industry.