News & Events

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.

2024 & 2025

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.

The Gamani Corea Foundation and the Sri Lanka Economic Association jointly organized a public lecture titled “Sri Lanka’s Current Macroeconomic Policy Directions in the Context of Global Volatility” on 8 May 2026 at the Lighthouse Auditorium. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Chandranath Amarasekara, who presented an overview of Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic conditions, examining where the economy stood during the recent crisis period and its current trajectory toward stabilization and recovery. He also discussed prevailing global economic conditions and outlined the country’s current macroeconomic policy directions in the face of global volatility. The lecture was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Nisthar Cassim, Editor and CEO of the Daily FT. The panel featured Prof. O.G. Dayarathna Banda, Senior Professor in Economics at the University of Peradeniya and Director General of the National Institute of Education; Manjula de Silva, Honorary Board Director of the Gamani Corea Foundation and former CEO of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce; and Arani Rodrigo, Head of the Business Intelligence Unit of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

The awards ceremony of the GCF Research Awards 2025–2026 Part II was held on 8 May 2026 at the Gamani Corea Foundation. The event marked the second set of awards presented under the current award cycle. Four research teams received research grants in recognition of their promising research proposals. The awards are intended to support research that contributes to Sri Lanka’s economic and social development through evidence-based policy insights and innovative ideas.

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.