Chinthaka D. Hewapathirana, the Chairman of the National Youth Services Council, has resigned from his position, marking the fourth high-profile resignation of a chairman appointed under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government.
Hewapathirana, who was appointed following the new administration’s victory, stepped down for undisclosed reasons, further fueling speculation about internal challenges within state institutions. His resignation follows a growing pattern of leadership departures in key public sector organizations.
Just days earlier, on January 29, Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Chairman Ramal Siriwardena also stepped down from his position. His departure came after widespread speculation regarding differences with Minister Bimal Ratnayake, although official statements attributed his resignation to personal reasons. Siriwardena, a long-time public servant, had previously held the SLTB chairman role under multiple governments.
Similarly, Dr. Senesh Dissanayake Bandara, who was appointed as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) in December 2024, resigned from his post after just three months. In a statement posted on social media, he claimed that his tenure was intended to be temporary and that he had other national responsibilities to undertake in 2025. However, speculation persists that disagreements over editorial policies and internal operational issues contributed to his sudden exit.
Adding to the wave of resignations, N.B.M. Ranatunga, Chairman of the National Housing Development Authority, also stepped down from his role yesterday. His decision further intensified discussions about the stability of key leadership positions in public enterprises.
These consecutive resignations have raised concerns about the functioning of state institutions under the new administration. Critics argue that political and administrative instability could hinder the government’s plans for economic transformation and efficient governance. However, government representatives insist that these departures are routine and do not reflect broader systemic issues.
As the trend of resignations continues, political analysts are closely watching whether these leadership changes will impact the government’s ability to deliver on its promises of reform and economic recovery.
