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 (SLEA), held the second seminar in their joint series on April 23, 2026, at the GCF headquarters. The session focused on a research study conducted under the GCF Research Awards 2024–2025 (Team Grant 02), examining the feasibility, benefits, and challenges of establishing a Special Economic Zone in Sri Lanka’s Northern Region. The research paper was co-presented by Prof. O.G. Dayaratna Banda, Senior Professor in Economics, and Dr. Malini Balamayura, Senior Lecturer in Political Science, from the University of Peradeniya. The discussion highlighted key structural and policy-related barriers to establishing an SEZ in the Northern Region, while also outlining the potential economic gains. The seminar brought together a diverse audience of academics, researchers, economists, and practitioners, facilitating a productive exchange of ideas and contributing to ongoing dialogue on strategies for inclusive and sustainable economic development in Sri Lanka.

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.