Gamani Corea Foundation (GCF) was set up by the late Dr Gamani Corea on February 10, 2000, as a foundation to take further his passion for development globally, with particular emphasis on Sri Lanka. The GCF is an autonomous non-profit institute that aims to promote development-related economic research, while being open to research from other social sciences, especially from a multi-disciplinary perspective.

Its mission is to contribute to the socio-economic development of Sri Lanka and other low-income and middle-income countries through informed, independent and high-quality research. GCF perceives research as being more than a mere academic exercise; it is primarily a catalyst for the tangible socio-economic transformation of countries and societies.

The Inaugural Grant Awarding Ceremony of the Gamani Corea Foundation for 2024-25 took place on the 19th of September 2024 at the BMICH. A total of 16 grants consisting of 13 team grants and 3 individual grants were awarded at the ceremony. These grants are expected to support in-depth evidence-based research on Sri Lanka’s most pressing socio-economic challenges. At the ceremony, key speakers, including Dr. Lloyd Fernando, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Prof. Sirimevan Colombage, and Dr. Harsha Aturupane, emphasized the importance of evidence-based research in addressing Sri Lanka’s economic challenges in the context of the current economic crisis. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the grant recipients, whose research holds the potential to influence positive change across socioeconomic landscape of Sri Lanka. 

On the 5th of September 2024, the Gamani Corea Foundation (GCF) proudly launched its first monograph under the SLFI, titled “Reforming Macroeconomic Policies for Stability and Growth: Sri Lanka’s Road to Economic Recovery" by Prof. Sirimevan Colombage, Emeritus Professor of the Open University of Sri Lanka. The publication, based on a policy issues paper contributed to SLIF, critically examines the macroeconomic policy failures that led to Sri Lanka’s current economic crisis and highlights the necessary strategies for ensuring stability and growth for a sustainable recovery. The event was graced by Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, as the Chief Guest, with Dr. Sarath Rajapatirana serving as the Guest Speaker.

On the 4th of September 2024, the Gamani Corea Foundation (GCF) had the distinct honor of receiving Deshamanya Dr. Godfrey Gunatillake, Chairperson Emeritus of the Foundation. At 98 years old, Dr. Gunatillake’s remarkable legacy spans decades of contributions to Sri Lanka’s socio-economic and intellectual development. His career has seen collaborations with many key figures, including Hon. D.S. Senanayake, the first Prime Minister of Ceylon. The Board of Directors and staff were privileged to engage with Dr. Gunatillake during his visit, which was an inspiring reminder of his enduring commitment to the Foundation and its mission of equitable development in Sri Lanka.