About Us
Extension and Advisory Services (EAS) has been recognized the world over as one of the most critical interventions essential for the sustainable development of farming communities. Keeping in view the emerging global challenges in agriculture that includes changing climate, declining water availability and uncertain market conditions, the way EAS are organized and managed needs to be change, EAS also need to facilitate innovation by strengthening linkages among different actors in the Agricultural Innovation System (AIS).
Network of Agricultural Extension and Advisory Service in Sri Lanka (NAEASSL) is network of those who are interested and involved in Extension and advisory service (EAS) provision in Sri Lanka. The NAEASSL is apex body for Sri Lankan Extensionist, which was founded in 2019. Its recognizing as the National Professional Body for Agricultural Extensionist and a “not-for-profit” organization. We are mandated to uplift the Agricultural Extension profession in Sri Lanka with vision to be leading professional agricultural extension and advisory body in Sri Lanka.
Vision
To be the Leading Professional Agricultural Extension and Advisory Body in Sri Lanka.
Mission
Networking, Sharing and learning for building capacities and empowering extension systems to develop effective and efficient extension and advisory services in Sri Lanka”
The objectives of the NAEASSL
- To strengthens the coordination among public and private extension practitioners and farmers,
- Mediate knowledge and resources sharing among the stakeholders of the agriculture sector,
- Support policy makers to formulate appropriate policies for agricultural and rural development activities,
- Maintain close links with Agricultural research and Educational Institutions, and other local and international professional organizations for the betterment of agricultural sector of the country
The membership of NAEASSL is available for all the extension practitioners serving in the government, semi-government or private sector in the agricultural extension and advisory services in Sri Lanka.
The establishment process of this Network started in the year 2013, when the South Asian Network (AESA) of the Global Forum of Rural Advisory Services (GRAS) was established. Dr. Rasheed Sulaiman who was the liaison person of GRAS visited Sri Lanka and had discussions with the Agricultural Extension Association in Sri Lanka (SLAEA). The first meeting of the AESA was held in January 2014 and the SLAEA was represented by WijayJayatileke, R.S. Wijesekera and Nandana Jayasinghe. The AESA first working group was represented by P. Wanigasundera and R.S. Wijesekera. The need for a separate Network as AESA country fora was emerged and the NAEASSL was formally started in 2016. The fundamental difference of the NAEASSL from SLAEA is the wider eligibility of all practicing extension workers to join the Network compared to the SLAEA which is open for extension professionals.
Executive Committee of the NAEASSL 2024/25
Prof. Padmasiri Wanigasundera
B.Sc (Peradeniya), PhD (Reading)
Prof. Padmasiri Wanigasundera is a pioneer behind the Network of Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services in Sri Lanka. Having chosen the ag...
Mr. Krishantha Wickramasinghe
B. Sc (Peradeniya), M Sc (Peradeniya)
Mr. Krishantha Wickramasinghe, who is currently working as the General Manager of Tea Small Holdings Development Authority in Sri Lanka, is...
Dr. M S Perera
B. Sc (Peradeniya), M Sc (Peradeniya), PhD (Peradeniya)
Dr. Sarath Perera is an accomplished extension scientist and served as the Director of Sugarcane Research Institute of Sr...
Dr. B A D Samansiri
B. Sc (Peradeniya), M Phil (Philippines), PhD (Peradeniya)
Dr. B. A. D. Samansiri, a founding member of the Network is working as an Honorary Joint Secretary of the Agricultural...
Mr. Janaka Rajasinghe
B. Sc (Peradeniya), M Sc (Peradeniya)
Mr. Janaka Rajasinghe, who obtained his first degree from the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Peradeniya, later obtained his po...
Dr. Lalith Amaratunga
B. Sc (Ruhuna), M Phil (Peradeniya), PhD (Peradeniya)
Dr. Lalith Amaratunga, a Senior Lecturer at Uva Wellassa University is currently the Head of Department of Export Agricultu...
Mr. Shanta Jayasinghe
B. Sc (Peradeniya), M Sc (Peradeniya)
Mr. Shantha Jayasinghe obtained his Bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya and joined the Advisory a...
Mr. H K M S Kumarasinghe
B. Sc (Peradeniya),
Mr. Kumarasinghe, who obtained his basic degree in Agriculture from the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Peradeniya in 1993, has many years of exp...
Mr. Dineth Prabash Rangoda
B. Sc (Ruhuna), M Sc (Peradeniya), PhD (In Progress, UW University, Sri Lanka)
Mr. Dineth Prabash Rangoda, a graduate of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Ruhuna a...
