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 Gamani Corea Foundation (GCF), in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Economic Association,  launched a new seminar series aimed at creating a platform for researchers, professionals, and academics to discuss issues vital to Sri Lanka’s economic development. The inaugural seminar was held on 27 February 2026 at the GCF headquarters. The session was based on research funded under the GCF Research Awards 2024–2025 cycle, titled “Export Competitiveness in South and Southeast Asia: A Sectoral Panel Data Approach with Policy Proposals for Sri Lanka.” The findings were presented by Dr. Achinthaya Koswatte, Senior Lecturer in Economics at the Open University of Sri Lanka, who also served as the team leader of the study. The discussion was moderated by Prof. Neavis Morais, Professor of Economics at the same university. The event brought together academics, researchers, economists, and practitioners, fostering a meaningful exchange of ideas on enhancing Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness and broader economic prospects.

The second round of the GCF Research Grants took place on December 18^th, at BMICH. A total of 19 team grants and 3 individual grants were awarded marking a second consecutive round of funding by the GCF, keeping in line with the vision of Dr. Gamani Corea, to promote high-quality, evidence based research concerning development issues, which generate evidence that can be utilized to address socio-economic challenges faced by middle-income and low-income countries, including Sri Lanka.

The Inaugural Research Conference of the Gamani Corea Foundation was held on 28 November 2025 at the BMICH, Colombo 07, marking an important milestone in the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to promote policy-oriented economic research in Sri Lanka. This year’s conference carries special significance as it coincides with the 100th birth anniversary of Dr. Gamani Corea, which was commemorated on November 4th. It also served as a dedicated platform for the grant recipients of the GCF Research Awards 2024–25 to present the outcomes of their one-year research cycle, contributing evidence-based insights to strengthen national policy discussions and the broader economic research landscape. The event brought together academics, researchers, and practitioners to engage in meaningful dialogue on the country’s development challenges and opportunities.