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.

Sri Lanka Economic Association
https://www.slea.lk/

The Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA), in collaboration with the Gamani Corea Foundation (GCF), organized a book launch ceremony on 30 July 2026 at the Organization of Professional Associations (OPA), Colombo. The event marked the launch of two publications: Debt Crisis in Sri Lanka: Facts and Fallacies, co-authored by Rev. Prof. Wijitapure Wimalaratana, Professor of Economics at the University of Colombo, and Dr. Mahinda Pushpakumara, Senior Lecturer at the University of Colombo, and 64 Wounds that Crippled the Sri Lankan Economy by Rev. Prof. Wijitapure Wimalaratana. The Sinhala translation of 64 Wounds that Crippled the Sri Lankan Economy was also launched at the ceremony. The event featured a discussion on the key themes explored in the publications, focusing on the causes of Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and the reforms needed to achieve sustainable economic growth. The speakers emphasized the importance of transforming Sri Lanka into an export-oriented economy supported by the rule of law, good governance, and a dynamic private sector. The discussion also highlighted the need for sound economic policies and institutional reforms to strengthen the country’s long-term economic resilience. The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session moderated by Dr. Harsha Aturupane, providing participants with an opportunity to engage with the authors on the issues discussed in the books.

The second Economic Forum, jointly organized by the Gamani Corea Foundation and the Sri Lanka Economic Association, was held on 15 July 2026 at the Lighthouse Auditorium. The forum, titled “Financial Sector Resilience amidst External Shocks: Managing Policy Challenges for Financial Stability,” featured a keynote address by Mr. K. G. P. Sirikumara, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The keynote address was followed by a panel discussion featuring Prof. Priyanga Dunusinghe, Professor of Economics at the University of Colombo; Mr. J. P. R. Karunaratne, Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka; Mr. Damith Pallewatte, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of HNB; and Mr. Romani De Silva, Deputy Chairman/Managing Director of Alliance Finance Company PLC. The forum examined the resilience of Sri Lanka’s financial sector amid the current global economic and geopolitical volatility, highlighting the challenges posed by external shocks such as geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, and the rapid expansion of digital and online financial transactions. The discussions emphasized the importance of sound regulatory frameworks, forward-looking policy measures, and timely interventions in mitigating emerging risks, safeguarding financial stability, and strengthening the resilience of the financial sector against future uncertainties.

The Gamani Corea Foundation (GCF), in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA), held the third seminar in their joint seminar series on June 11, 2026, at the GCF headquarters. The seminar was based on the book Policy Challenges of Globalization in Sri Lanka, authored by Dr. Sarath Rajapatirana, former Economic Adviser to the President of Sri Lanka and Chair of the Academic Programme at Advocata Institute, who delivered the keynote address. The session provided a platform for a broad discussion on free trade, the impact of global economic and geopolitical turmoil on the Sri Lankan economy, and the importance of strengthening Sri Lanka’s political and trade relations with both developed and developing countries beyond its conventional partners. The discussion also examined the policy challenges Sri Lanka has faced in the past and is likely to encounter in the future, particularly in the formulation and implementation of economic reforms aimed at enhancing the country’s integration into the global economy. The seminar highlighted the need for consistent and forward-looking policies to enable Sri Lanka to benefit from global economic integration while effectively managing emerging challenges.