Can Development expert Hemachandra Clean up Sri Lanka’s Urban Authority?

M.G. Hemachandra’s elevation to Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) has reignited debate over whether institutional reform is finally possible at one of Sri Lanka’s most controversial state agencies. For decades, the UDA has been dogged by accusations of tender irregularities, stalled projects and urban plans detached from ground realities ,failures now laid bare by catastrophic cyclone- and flood-related damage across the country.

Unlike many past appointments, Hemachandra enters the role with deep exposure to international governance frameworks. His tenure at JICA involved overseeing loan-funded infrastructure projects under strict compliance regimes, where transparency, post-evaluation and risk management were non-negotiable. Governance specialists argue that such experience could help dismantle entrenched practices that have weakened public trust in the UDA.

The timing of the appointment is critical. Climate-driven disasters have underscored how unplanned urban expansion, blocked waterways and poorly regulated construction have amplified human and economic losses. Urban planners insist that the UDA must now pivot from prestige projects to resilience-focused development an approach aligned with Hemachandra’s academic training in infrastructure management and his professional work in policy design.

His credentials extend beyond technical competence. As a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka and a former Vice President of the Association of Consulting Engineers Sri Lanka, Hemachandra has consistently advocated for professional accountability in public projects. His experience as an adjudicator and mediator in construction disputes also equips him to address contractor-related inefficiencies that have historically plagued UDA ventures.

However, reforming the Authority will require more than personal integrity. Analysts caution that systemic issues political pressure, fragmented mandates and weak enforcement cannot be resolved by leadership alone. Hemachandra’s challenge will be to institutionalise transparent procurement, introduce independent project audits and rebuild technical capacity within the organisation.

The post-disaster context may offer an opening. With public scrutiny intensified and reconstruction funds at stake, the political cost of business-as-usual has increased. If leveraged correctly, this moment could enable long-delayed reforms in zoning, drainage planning, urban housing and land-use regulation.

Whether Hemachandra can translate his international experience into domestic institutional change remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the UDA’s future relevance and Sri Lanka’s urban resilience now hinges on whether this appointment marks a genuine break from the past.