Mr. Ruchira Withana, Director General (Covering) of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), brings over 5 years of experience in the private sector and 27 years of experience in the public sector as a SLAS officer in the fields of business management, administration, industrial development, training, research, land management and development, etc., with significant experience in foreign-funded projects and programmes funded by JICA, UNIDO, IRG (USA), ADB, and the UN.

Mr. Withana holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management from the Maastricht School of Management, Netherlands, and a B.Sc. in Physical Science from the University of Kelaniya. In addition, he is following a Master’s Degree in Archaeology from the University of Kelaniya. He has held key positions including Regional Director in the Ministry of Vocational & Technical Training, Director in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Director in the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Secretary (Fund) in the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, and Additional District Secretary (Land) in the District Secretariat, Gampaha. Currently, he serves as Director General of the National Physical Planning Department in addition to Director General (Covering) of the Urban Development Authority.

Further, he serves as a Board Member of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd, Gem and Jewellery Authority, Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, Waters Edge Limited, Urban Investment & Development Company (Private) Limited, Condominium Management Authority, Road Development Authority, and Lanka Electricity Company (Private) Limited.