Mr. Somasena Mahadiulwewa, who hails from Mahadivulwewa of Trincomalee District and is an alumnus of Schools of Mahadivulwewa M.V, Trincomalee, and Niwaththakachethiya M.V, Anuradhapura, today (15 May 2026) assumed duties as the Director General of Commerce (Actg.) at the Department of Commerce (DoC), Sri Lanka.

As a distinguished public servant and career commercial diplomat, he has devoted over 24 years of service at the DoC, contributing extensively to the formulation and implementation of Sri Lanka’s foreign trade policy, international trade negotiations, trade promotion, and commercial diplomacy, to enhance national economic development and export growth.

During his career, he has served in key diplomatic assignments at Sri Lanka’s Foreign Missions in the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, and South Africa, strengthening bilateral trade relations and advancing Sri Lanka’s commercial interests in global markets. He has also represented Sri Lanka at World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conferences and contributed to major initiatives in Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, trade remedies, and national trade policy development. Further, he has served as an intern at the WTO, Geneva, in 2009.

He holds academic qualifications in Economics, International Trade, and Public Management, earning a Bachelor of Science in Management (Public) Hons from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Masters in Economics from the University of Colombo. He is also currently reading for a PhD in International Economics at the University of Colombo, focusing on FTAs and export diversification. Mr. Mahadiulwewa is a life member of the Sri Lanka Economic Association.

Mr. Mahadiulwewa is married and blessed with a daughter

15 May 2026
Department of Commerce

The Department of Commerce, with the assistance of the Matara District Secretariat, successfully organized a Regional Awareness Seminar targeting Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector entrepreneurs in the Matara District.

The objective of the seminar was to enhance awareness among SMEs on accessing international markets through the network of Commercial Officers stationed at Sri Lanka Missions abroad and to equip them with relevant information on trade agreements. The programme aimed to provide institutional support to enable SMEs to explore export opportunities and expand their global presence.

During the session, Ms. Ameena Mohin, Director General of Commerce (Acting), and Mr. Chandana Thilakaratne, District Secretary of the Matara District Secretariat, addressed the gathering and emphasized the vital role played by SMEs in national economic development. They further highlighted the Government’s ongoing initiatives to facilitate and channel SMEs towards international markets.

Mr. Jagath Abeywarna, Director of Commerce and Head of the Rules of Origin Division of the Department of Commerce, delivered a presentation on the benefits of Sri Lanka’s trade agreements for exports under various preferential and non-preferential trading arrangements to Sri Lankan exporters. Mr. Anil Sirimanna, Deputy Director of Commerce and Head of Trade Promotion Division, also conducted a comprehensive presentation on the role and functions of the Department of Commerce, as well as guidance on entering export markets, including key procedures and requirements.

Ms. Niluka Siriwardena, Development Officer from the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB) briefed participants on the range of services and assistance schemes available at the EDB to support export-oriented enterprises.

The seminar provided an interactive platform for SME entrepreneurs to engage directly with relevant institutions and clarify matters relating to export procedures, trade agreements, and market access opportunities. More than 100 participants representing the cinnamon, textile, spices, processed food, and soft toys sectors took part in the event.

This seminar forms part of a continued series of awareness programmes conducted by the Department of Commerce to strengthen the export readiness and market access of Sri Lankan Small and Medium enterprises in the international markets and global value chain.

27.02.2026
Department of Commerce