Axiata’s Hans Wijayasuriya Appointed to Presidential Advisory Role

COLOMBO (News 1st); Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya has been appointed as the Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, said the President's Media Division on Friday (1).

Axiata Group Berhad announced that Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, CEO of Telecommunications Business and Group Executive Director was invited by the Government of Sri Lanka to lead the country’s digital economy agenda in the capacity of Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy and other related leadership roles.

It added that Dr Wijayasuriya has accepted the invitation from the Government of Sri Lanka and has communicated his decision to step down from his role at Axiata Group with effect from 15 January 2025. 

Dr Hans was appointed as Group Executive Director and CEO of Telecommunications Business of Axiata on 24 March 2023 after serving as Joint Acting GCEO since June 2022.

He has functioned in the capacity of CEO of Telecommunications Business since January 2020. 

In this role, he was responsible for Axiata’s Digital Telecommunications Operating Companies across ASEAN and South Asia, and also leads the Group’s Enterprise and Wholesale Businesses. 

In 2016, Dr Hans was appointed as Corporate Executive Vice President & Regional Chief Executive Officer, South Asia Operations of Axiata. Up to the end of 2016, Dr Hans also served as the Group CEO of Dialog Axiata PLC (Dialog), Sri Lanka. 

He joined Dialog’s founding management team in 1994 and took on the role of CEO in 1997. From 2012 till 2014, Dr Hans was also the founding CEO of Axiata Digital Services Sdn Bhd. 

Dr Hans also serves as the Chairman of the Board Risk and Compliance Committee of Ncell Axiata Limited.

He is a product of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka, and attended the University of Cambridge in 1989 where he obtained a Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

He is also the Former Chairman of GSM Asia-Pacific – the Regional interest group of the GSM Association, and has been included in the GSM 100 Role of Honour for his contribution to the Asia-Pacific Telecommunication industry.