National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka

The apex government authority steering Sri Lanka's aquaculture transformation. Established under Act No. 53 of 1998, NAQDA advances sustainable marine, brackish-water, and freshwater industries nationwide.

Our Journey

25 Years of Excellence

From a single mandate to a nationwide transformation

1998

The Beginning

Constituted under the National Aquaculture Development Authority Act No. 53 of 1998, NAQDA launched a national mandate to modernise Sri Lanka's aquaculture sector with three pioneering regional offices.

2005

Regional Expansion

Expanded to eight regional offices serving every province and inaugurated the first national shrimp aquaculture development programme, enrolling more than 500 aquaculture operators.

8 Regional Offices

2010

Technology Revolution

Introduced modern aquaculture technologies, commissioned national hatcheries and research centres, and lifted production by more than 300 percent.

+300% Production

2015

Global Recognition

Attained Best Aquaculture Practices certification, surpassed USD 200 million in export earnings, and forged strategic partnerships with FAO, the World Bank, and JICA.

$200M Exports

2020

Digital Era

Deployed end-to-end digital platforms for licensing and aquaculture operator support, introduced mobile services, and expanded the network to 22 regional offices serving more than 50,000 registered aquaculture operators.

22 Offices

2025 & Beyond

Vision 2030

Aiming to exceed USD 1 billion in exports, reach 200,000 metric tonnes in production, and create 150,000 quality jobs while positioning Sri Lanka as Asia's benchmark for sustainable aquaculture through AI, blockchain, and IoT integration.

$1B Target
Impact & Excellence

Transforming Sri Lanka's Blue Economy

Nationwide impact backed by evidence

75,000

MT Annual Production

$450M

Export Revenue

100K+

Jobs Created

50K+

Aquaculture Operators Trained

Growth Trajectory (1998-2025)

Production Capacity 2,500% Growth
Regional Coverage All 9 Provinces
Export Markets 45+ Countries
Technology Adoption Digital Transformation
Our Foundation

Vision & Mission

Principles that underpin our national mandate

Our Vision

To position Sri Lanka as a global leader in sustainable aquaculture, safeguarding food security, inclusive prosperity, and environmental stewardship for future generations.

Our Mission

To regulate, develop, and promote aquaculture through innovation, sustainability, and good governance, creating dignified livelihoods and enduring value for the national economy.

Organizational Framework

Our Organizational Structure

The National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka (NAQDA) is structured to steer sustainable aquaculture development from policy formulation through nationwide implementation.

Governing Oversight

Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources

Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar – Minister

I. Governance and Top Leadership (The Board)

Chairman: Mr. Kithsiri Dharmapriya
Board of Management (BOM): Appointed and Ex-officio Members

Responsible for strategic direction, policy formulation, and overall oversight

II. Chief Executive

Director General (DG/CEO): Dr. J. M. Asoka

Responsible for the execution of policies and overall management of operations

III. Senior Management (Divisional Heads)

• Director (Aquaculture - Inland/Freshwater)
• Director (Aquaculture - Coastal/Marine)
• Director (Finance)
• Director (Admin & HR)
• Director (Training & Extension)
• Director (Planning, M&E)

Leaders of key functional areas, reporting to the Director General

IV. Middle Management

• Deputy Directors • Assistant Directors
• Heads/OICs of AQDCs, Broodstock Management Centers, Training Institutes
• District Aquaculture Officers

Responsible for managing specific departments, projects, or regional operations

V. Technical and Professional Staff (Officers)

• Aquaculturists / Research Officers • Engineers
• Administrative, Finance, Legal, and IT Officers
• Aquaculture Extension Officers (AEOs) • Technical Officers (TOs)

The specialized workforce executing technical, administrative, and field duties

VI. Support Staff

• Management Assistants (Clerical/Admin Support)
• Development Assistants
• Hatchery Technicians / Field Assistants

Responsible for administrative, clerical, and technical support

VII. Primary Level Employees (Bottom Staff)

• Drivers • Maintenance Workers
• Office Aides (KKS) • Laborers (Hatchery/Aquaculture Facility Staff)
• Security Personnel

Foundational staff supporting logistical, maintenance, and manual operations

Organizational Excellence

NAQDA's hierarchical structure ensures efficient decision-making, clear communication channels, and effective implementation of aquaculture development programmes across Sri Lanka. Each tier plays a crucial role in advancing our mission of sustainable growth.

Our Leaders

Board of Directors & Regional Leadership

Seasoned professionals steering Sri Lanka's aquaculture renaissance

Mr. Kithsiri Dharmapriya

Mr. Kithsiri Dharmapriya

Chairman - NAQDA

“Under my leadership NAQDA is accelerating Sri Lanka's journey to become the region's hub for sustainable aquaculture. We are integrating advanced technologies and global best practices to meet international benchmarks while uplifting coastal and inland communities. Our 2025 vision prioritises expanding production capacity and empowering more aquaculture operators throughout the island.”

Regional Directors

Director

Dr. J. M. Asoka

Director General (CEO)

Head Office - Colombo

Director

Mrs. P.G. Dissanayake

Regional Director

North Western Province

Director

Dr. M. Thilakarathne

Regional Director

Eastern Province

Director

Mr. S. Theivendran

Regional Director

Northern Province

Director

Mrs. W.A. Priyanthi

Regional Director

Southern Province

Director

Dr. R. Wijesooriya

Regional Director

Central Province

Director

Mr. H.M. Jayawardena

Regional Director

Sabaragamuwa Province

Director

Mrs. K.D. Perera

Regional Director

Uva Province

Director

Mr. L.P. Bandara

Regional Director

North Central Province

Manager

Mr. T. Sivakumar

District Manager

Kilinochchi

Manager

Mrs. R. Fernando

District Manager

Mannar

Manager

Mr. A. Krishnan

District Manager

Vavuniya

Manager

Mr. V. Rajaratnam

District Manager

Mullaitivu

Manager

Mrs. N. Silva

District Manager

Trincomalee

Manager

Mr. M. Rahman

District Manager

Ampara

Manager

Mr. G.K. Gunasekara

District Manager

Hambantota

Manager

Mrs. S. Wickramasinghe

District Manager

Galle

Manager

Mr. D. Mendis

District Manager

Kalutara

Manager

Mrs. C. Jayasuriya

District Manager

Gampaha

Our Principles

Core Values

The foundation of our commitment to excellence

Sustainability

Promoting environmentally responsible aquaculture practices that preserve our marine ecosystems

Innovation

Embracing cutting-edge technologies and research to advance the aquaculture industry

Integrity

Maintaining the highest standards of transparency and ethical conduct in all operations

Community

Empowering local communities through training, support, and sustainable livelihood opportunities

Excellence

Striving for the highest quality standards in all aspects of aquaculture development

Global Vision

Positioning Sri Lanka as a world-class hub for sustainable aquaculture excellence

22
Regional Offices
75K
MT Annual Production
100K+
Jobs Created
$450M
Export Revenue
Our Network

22 Regional Offices Across Sri Lanka

Comprehensive coverage ensuring support for all aquaculture communities

Head Office - Colombo

No. 41/1, New Parliament Road, Pelawatta, Battaramulla

+94 11 2785124

info@naqda.gov.lk

Mr. K.H.M.L. Amarasiri (Director General)

North Western Province - Puttalam

NAQDA Regional Office, Puttalam

+94 32 2265887

nwp@naqda.gov.lk

Mrs. P.G. Dissanayake (Regional Director)

Eastern Province - Batticaloa

NAQDA Regional Office, Batticaloa

+94 65 2222374

eastern@naqda.gov.lk

Dr. M. Thilakarathne (Regional Director)

Northern Province - Jaffna

NAQDA Regional Office, Jaffna

+94 21 2222453

northern@naqda.gov.lk

Mr. S. Theivendran (Regional Director)

Southern Province - Matara

NAQDA Regional Office, Matara

+94 41 2222178

southern@naqda.gov.lk

Mrs. W.A. Priyanthi (Regional Director)

Central Province - Kandy

NAQDA Regional Office, Kandy

+94 81 2385642

central@naqda.gov.lk

Dr. R. Wijesooriya (Regional Director)

Sabaragamuwa Province - Ratnapura

NAQDA Regional Office, Ratnapura

+94 45 2222567

sabaragamuwa@naqda.gov.lk

Mr. H.M. Jayawardena (Regional Director)

Uva Province - Badulla

NAQDA Regional Office, Badulla

+94 55 2222891

uva@naqda.gov.lk

Mrs. K.D. Perera (Regional Director)

North Central Province - Anuradhapura

NAQDA Regional Office, Anuradhapura

+94 25 2234567

ncp@naqda.gov.lk

Mr. L.P. Bandara (Regional Director)

Kilinochchi District Office

NAQDA District Office, Kilinochchi

+94 21 2283456

kilinochchi@naqda.gov.lk

Mr. T. Sivakumar (District Manager)

Mannar District Office

NAQDA District Office, Mannar

+94 23 2232890

mannar@naqda.gov.lk

Mrs. R. Fernando (District Manager)

Vavuniya District Office

NAQDA District Office, Vavuniya

+94 24 2222345

vavuniya@naqda.gov.lk

Mr. A. Krishnan (District Manager)

Mullaitivu District Office

NAQDA District Office, Mullaitivu

+94 21 2290123

mullaitivu@naqda.gov.lk

Mr. V. Rajaratnam (District Manager)

Trincomalee District Office

NAQDA District Office, Trincomalee

+94 26 2222678

trincomalee@naqda.gov.lk

Mrs. N. Silva (District Manager)

Ampara District Office

NAQDA District Office, Ampara

+94 63 2224567

ampara@naqda.gov.lk

Mr. M. Rahman (District Manager)

Hambantota District Office

NAQDA District Office, Hambantota

+94 47 2228901

hambantota@naqda.gov.lk

Mr. G.K. Gunasekara (District Manager)

Galle District Office

NAQDA District Office, Galle

+94 91 2234890

galle@naqda.gov.lk

Mrs. S. Wickramasinghe (District Manager)

Kalutara District Office

NAQDA District Office, Kalutara

+94 34 2229012

kalutara@naqda.gov.lk

Mr. D. Mendis (District Manager)

Gampaha District Office

NAQDA District Office, Gampaha

+94 33 2227890

gampaha@naqda.gov.lk

Mrs. C. Jayasuriya (District Manager)

Chilaw Sub-Office

NAQDA Sub-Office, Chilaw

+94 32 2221234

chilaw@naqda.gov.lk

Mr. P. Anthony (Assistant Manager)

Negombo Sub-Office

NAQDA Sub-Office, Negombo

+94 31 2224567

negombo@naqda.gov.lk

Mrs. M. De Silva (Assistant Manager)