Sri Lankan economist, academic and author Professor W.D. Lakshman has been appointed Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). Prof. Lakshman assumed duties at the CBSL  a short-while ago. Prof. Lakshman takes over from former CBSL Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, who stepped down from his position on December 20 after tendering his resignation last month. Prof. W.D. Lakshman was the former Vice-chancellor of University of Colombo and has also served as Chairman of the Presidential Commission on Taxation in Sri Lanka (2009). Prof. Lakshman’s involvement in policy related activities was extensive. Prof. Lakshman was a member, National Task Force for Industrial Development, Member of the National Task Force for Educational Reforms, Member and Vice Chairman, National Development Council and Board Member, Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, and Chairman of the National Institute of Business Management. His involvement in non-governmental sector activities included honorary chairmanships at Social Scientists Association, and International Centre for Ethnic Studies. After retirement from university service he held the position of Senior Advisor, Ministry of Finance & Planning for two years on the invitation of the government and also held the position of Chairman of the Institute of Policy Studies on invitation.