Colonel Nalin Herath, the former Director General of the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS) and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence in Sri Lanka, is set to take on a new leadership role. 

Pending approval of his formal premature retirement by the Sri Lanka Army Headquarters, he will join the board as Executive Director of SASSRI with Ambassador Saroja Sirisena, Hirantha Goonasekara, Dr. Nirmal De Silva, Air Vice Marshal Waruna Gunawardana (Retd.), Rear Admiral T. W. W. Leelarathna (Retd.), Air Commodore Mahasen Herath (Retd.). 

Colonel Herath’s extensive background in national security and defence communications has made him a respected figure in military and governmental circles. He is expected to leverage his expertise to further strengthen national security initiatives and foster strategic collaborations.

The South Asia Sustainability & Security Research Institute (SASSRI) was officially launched in mid-September, at Cinnamon Grand Colombo. 

SASSRI intends to generate interdisciplinary research, shape evidence-based policies, and promote regional dialogue to address pressing issues such as climate change, resource management, socio-economic disparities, and geopolitical tensions.