Development expert Appointed UDA Chairman Amid Push for Urban Reform
- CNL Reporter
- December 23, 2025
- News, Political
- M.G. Hemachandra, UDA Chairman
- 0 Comments
M.G. Hemachandra has been appointed Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) at a time when Sri Lanka’s urban planning system faces intense scrutiny following widespread cyclone and flood damage.
A former Senior Specialist and Chief of Loan Projects at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Hemachandra brings extensive experience in development policy, infrastructure financing, procurement and project evaluation. He has previously served at the National Water Supply and Drainage Board and the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau.
Hemachandra is a Fellow and Vice President of the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka and has held leadership roles in several professional bodies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he developed a digital support platform for Mahaweli farmers, highlighting his interest in technology-driven public solutions.
The appointment comes amid calls to reform the UDA, long criticised for governance failures, and to refocus urban development on disaster resilience and transparency.
