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GCF Research Awards 2025/2026

First Row L to R: Ms. M. N. Vineeshiya, Open University of Sri Lanka; Mr. Senith Abeyanayake, Centre for a Smart Future; Mr. Anushka Wijesinha, Centre for a Smart Future; Mr. Inas Thaseem, GCF; Ms. Sriyani Hulugalle, GCF; Dr. Minna Thaheer, GCF; Mr. Tusith Jeewandara, GCF; Ms. Wanda Kotalawala, GCF; Ms. Gilshani Cooray, GCF; Dr. A.M.P. Adikari, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka; Prof. U.S. Thathsarani, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.

Second Row L to R: Prof. Priyanga Dunusinghe, University of Colombo; Eranda Roshan Fernando, National Development Bank; Prof. K. Amirthalingam, University of Colombo; Mr. Lasitha Devendra, GCF; Mr. Ravinatha Aryasinghe, GCF; Dr. Harsha Aturupane, GCF; Prof. Sirimewan Colombage, GCF; Mr. Manjula de Silva, GCF; Mr. Nalaka Madhusanka, GCF.

First Row L to R: Dr. Nuwan Asanka Weerasekara, University of Sri Jayewardenepura; Mr. Inas Thaseem, GCF; Ms. Sriyani Hulugalle, GCF; Dr. Tamara Jayasundera, Kotelawala Defense University; Prof. Sumudu Perera, University of Sri Jayewardenepura; Dr. Minna Thaheer, GCF; Ms. Wanda Kotalawala, GCF; Ms. Gilshani Cooray, GCF; Mr. Tusith Jeewandara, GCF; Prof. Neavis Morais, Marga Institute, Open University of Sri Lanka; Mr. Amar Gunatilleke, Marga Institute.

Second Row L to R: Prof. Lalith Chandralal, University of Sri Jayewardenepura; Mr. Lasitha Devendra, GCF; Mr. Ravinatha Aryasinghe, GCF; Prof. Upali Wickramasinghe, Former Senior Economist, FAO ; Dr. Harsha Aturupane, GCF; Prof. Sirimewan Colombage, GCF; Mr. Manjula de Silva, GCF; Mr. Nalaka Madhusanka, GCF.

First Row L to R: Mr. W.M. Leelasane, Dr. K.A.S. Wickrama, Mr. Inas Thaseem, GCF; Ms. Sriyani Hulugalle, GCF; Dr. Minnar Thaheer, GCF; Dr. B.M. Sumanarathne, University of Ruhuna; Ms. Wanda Kotalawala, GCF; Ms. Gilshani Cooray, GCF; Mr. Tusith Jeewandara, GCF; Dr. Ganganee  Samarajeewa, University of Ruhuna; Mr. W.A.N.D. Wijesinghe, University of Ruhuna; Dr. H.K. Sarath, University of Ruhuna.

Second Row L to R: Dr. Herath Vidyarathne, University of Peradeniya; Dr. Suranjith Gunesekara, University of Ruhuna; Mr. Lasitha Devendra, GCF; Mr. Ravinatha Aryasinghe, GCF; Prof. Upali Wickramasinghe, Former Senior Economist, FAO; Dr. Harsha Aturupane, GCF; Prof. Sirimewan Colombage, GCF; Mr. Manjula de Silva, GCF; Mr. Nalaka Madhusanka, GCF.

First Row L to R: Ms. Sriyani Hulugalle, GCF; Prof. Muditha Karunanayake, University of Peradeniya; P.P.A. Wasantha Athukorala, University of Peradeniya; Dr. Minna Thaheer, GCF; Ms. Wanda Kotalawala, GCF; Ms. Gilshani Cooray, GCF; Mr. Tusith Jeewandara, GCF; Ms. Dilum Mahawatte, GCF.

Second Row L to R: Prof. Suresh Kanesh, Eastern University of Sri Lanka; Prof. Abdul Majeed Mohamed Mustafa, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka; Mr. Lasitha Devendra, GCF; Mr. Ravinatha Aryasinghe, GCF; Prof. Upali Wickramasinghe, Former Senior Economist, FAO; Dr. Harsha Aturupane, GCF; Prof. Sirimewan Colombage, GCF; Mr. Manjula de Silva, GCF; Mr. Nalaka Madhusanka, GCF.

First Row L to R: Ms. Sriyani Hulugalle, GCF; Prof. M.A.K. Sriyalatha, University of Sri Jayewardenepura; Dr. P.P. Lalanie, University of Sri Jayewardenepura; Dr. M.P.K. Withanawasam, University of Sri Jayewardenepura; Dr. Minna Thaheer, GCF; Ms. Wanda Kotalawala, GCF; Ms. Gilshani Cooray, GCF, Mr. Tusith Jeewandara, GCF; Dr. Roshan Anne Perera, Independent Consultant; Dr. T.P.S.R. Guruge, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka; Dr. P.C. Abeysiriwardana, Ministry of Science and Technology Sri Lanka; Ms. Sadeepa Dinali Gamage, gapHQ; Ms. Wasana Chamurdi Dissanayake, gapHQ.

Second Row L to R:  Prof. Rukmal Weerasinghe, University of Sri Jayewardenepura; Dr. Malraj Kiriella, Independent Consultant; Mr. Lasitha Devendra, GCF; Mr. Ravinatha Aryasinghe, GCF; Prof. Upali Wickramasinghe, Former Senior Economist, FAO; Dr. Harsha Aturupane, GCF; Prof. Sirimewan Colombage, GCF; Mr. Manjula de Silva, GCF; Mr. Nalaka Madhusanka, GCF, Mr. Inas Thaseem, GCF; Prof. Ranjith Dissanayake, University of Peradeniya; Ms. Dilum Mahawatte, GCF.

 

First Row L to R: Ms. Sulochana Silva, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka; Dr. Asanka Wijesinghe, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka; Mr. Inas Thaseem, GCF; Ms. Sriyani Hulugalle, GCF; Dr. Rohitha Abayasekara, University of Colombo; Dr. Thisara Geethika Perera, University of Colombo; Prof Fareena Ruzaik, University of Colombo; Dr. Minna Thaheer, GCF; Ms. Wanda Kotalawala, GCF; Ms. Gilshani Cooray, GCF; Mr. Tusith Jeewandara, GCF; Dr Charith Gamage, First Capital Holding; Dr. Wisura Weerathunga, SLIIT; Prof. Sisira Rajapaksha, Rajarata Univeristy of Sri Lanka; Ms. Chathurika Hansamali, University of Colombo.

Second Row L to R: Prof. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan, University of Colombo; Dr. Bilesha Weeraratne, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka; Dr. Erandathie Pathiraja, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka; Mr. Lasitha Devendra, GCF; Mr. Ravinatha Aryasinghe, GCF; Prof. Upali Wickramasinghe, Former Senior Economist, FAO; Dr. Harsha Aturupane, GCF; Prof. Sirimewan Colombage, GCF; Mr. Manjula de Silva, GCF; Mr. Nalaka Madhusanka, GCF; Mr. N. Balamurali, Open University of Sri Lanka; Dr. Achinthya Koswatta, Open University of Sri Lanka; Ms. Dilum Mahawatte, GCF.

Objective

In keeping with the vision of Dr. Gamani Corea, the GCF Research Awards 2025-2026 were launched to support cutting-edge research in economics and multidisciplinary research between economics, social sciences, management, mathematics, computer science and/or humanities. The overall focus of this program is to promote high-quality research into development issues and generate knowledge to promote economic development in the Global South, with special reference to Sri Lanka.

Grant Types

  • Team Grants
  • Individual Grants

Team Grants

 

Grant Number

 

Title of the Project

Research Team

Affiliation

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 01 2025-26

Financial Inclusion and Economic Growth in South Asia: Intermediating Role of Financial Sector Development

Dr. A.M.P. Adikari (Team Leader)

Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Dr. U.S.Thathsarani

Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Ms. M.N.Vineeshiya

Department of Social Studies, The Open University of Sri Lanka

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 02 2025-26

Development Banking in Sri Lanka: A Review of Evolution, Performance and
Structural Challenges

Prof. K. Amirthalingam(Team Leader)

Department of Economics, University of Colombo

Mr. Eranda Roshan Fernando

National Development Bank

Mr. Gamini Herath

CEFE NET Sri Lanka

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 03 2025-26

Economic Contribution and Resident Satisfaction in Local Government: An Evaluation of Pradeshiya Sabhas in Sri Lanka.

Prof. Wasantha Athukorala (Team Leader)

Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (PGIHS), University of Peradeniya

Prof. Suresh Kanesh

Department of Economics and Statistics, Faculty of Arts and Culture,
Eastern University of Sri Lanka

Prof. Abdul Majeed Mohamed Mustafa

Department of Management, Faculty of Management and Commerce, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 04 2025-26

Turning Waste into Wealth: Assessing the Economic and Environmental Potential of Biodiesel from Used Cooking Oil and Waste Food in Sri Lanka

Prof. Lalith Chandralal (Team Leader)

Department of Marketing Management
University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Prof. Sumudu Perera

Department of Business Economics in the Faculty of Management Studies &
Commerce of University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Prof. Vilani Sachitra

Department of Commerce, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce,  University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Dr. Nuwan Asanka Weerasekara

Department of Civil and Environmental Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Mr. Mohammed Irfan Nizar

Wincanton PLC, Bristol, England

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 05 2025-26

Sustainability Standards Adoption by Small and Medium Enterprises in Sri Lanka: An Economic Analysis of Export Market Readiness

Prof. Priyanga Dunusinghe (Team Leader)

Department of Economics, University of Colombo

Ms. Anushka Wijesinha

Centre for a Smart Future

Ms. Senith Abeyanayake

Centre for a Smart Future

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 06 2025-26

Internalizing Environmental Costs in Sri Lanka’s Agriculture: Assessing the Economic Viability of Ecological Management

Dr. T.P.S.R. Guruge (Team Leader)

Dept. of Agribusiness Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

Dr. P.C. Abeysiriwardana

Ministry of Science and Technology
Sri Lanka

Dr. Inna Koblianska

Department of Economics, Entrepreneurship, and Business Administration, Sumy State University, Ukraine

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 07 2025-26

Impact of Personal Income Tax Reform on Labor Supply in Sri Lanka

Dr. Tamara Jayasundera (Team Leader)

Department of Social Sciences, Kotelawala Defense University

Prof. Anoma S. P. Abhayaratne

University of Peradeniya

Ms. Gayathri Oshani Ranasinghe

Lyceum Campus (Pvt) Ltd.

Ms Kumudini Weerasinghe

Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, KDU

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 08 2025-26

Structural Transformation and Export Competitiveness in Post-Crisis Sri Lanka: Sectoral Shifts, Remittance Utilization, and Productivity Recovery

Dr. Achinthya Koswatta (Team Leader)

Discipline of Economics and Development Studies, Department of Social Studies, The Open University of Sri Lanka

Dr. Vinesha Peiris

Curtin Centre for Optimisation and Decision Science, Curtin University

Mr. Navaratnam Balamurali

Dept of Social Studies, The Open University of Sri Lanka (Jaffna Regional Centre, Kokuvil, Jaffna)

Ms. Chathurika Hansamali

Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 09 2025-26

Contribution of Sri Lanka’s Co-operative Sector to Employment, Livelihoods, and GDP

Prof. Neavis Morais (Team Leader)

Marga Institute

Dr. Ahilan Kadirgamar

Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna

Dr. S. Sivarajasingham

Department of Economics, University of Peradeniya

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 10 2025-26

Unlocking the Potential of Carbon Credits in Sri Lanka: Market Analysis, Scheme Benchmarking, and Evaluating Community-based Reforestation Programme

Dr. Erandathie Pathiraja

Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka

Ms. Sulochana Silva

Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka

Ms. Nishamini Ihalagedara

Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 11 2025-26

Fiscal Policy for Inclusive Growth: Revisiting Tax Efficiency and Expenditure Multipliers in Sri Lanka

Dr. Roshan Anne Perera (Team Leader)

 Economist, Independent Consultant

Ms. Janani Udagampala

Centro Levi Cases, University of Padova

Ms. Thashikala Mendis

Research Unit, Commercial Bank of Ceylon

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 12 2025-26

Revitalization of Village Tank Cascade Systems through Payments for Ecosystem Services: A Framework for Enhancing Climate-Resilient Rural Livelihoods

Prof. Sisira Rajapakshe (Team Leader)

Department of Environmental Management, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Dr. Menuka Udugama

Department of Agricultural Economics and Business Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

Dr. Paul Hudgson

Department of Geography and Environment, University of York, UK

Ms. H. Udeni Kaushalya Dilanjani

Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Faculty of Management Studies, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 13 2025-26

Building Economic Resilience: A community centered framework for drought management in Sri Lanka

Prof .F.Ruzaik

Department of Geography, University of
Colombo

Dr. U.T.G Perera

Department of Geography, University of Colombo

Dr. Rohitha Abayasekara

Department of Economics, University of Colombo

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 14 2025-26

Political Economy of Agricultural Policy in Sri Lanka: Assessing the Impact of Political Involvement on Rural Development and Economic Outcomes

Prof. G.C. Samaraweera (Team Leader)

Department of Agricultural Economics and
Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna

Mr. K.K.S. Udayakantha

Dept. of Economics, University of Ruhuna

Mr. I.R. Priyantha

Department of Public Policy, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ruhuna,

Mr. W.A.N.D. Wijesinghe

Department of Economics, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
University of Ruhuna

Ms. N.S.W. Gunasekara

Department of Economics, University of Ruhuna

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 15 2025-26

Sustainable Tourism Competitiveness: Balancing Growth with Environmental Resilience in Sri Lanka

Dr. H.K. Sarath (Team Leader)

Department of Economics, University of Ruhuna

Dr. B.M Sumanarathne

Department of Economics, Faculty of H&SS, University of Ruhuna

Dr. Suranjith Gunasekara

Department of Sociology, University of Ruhuna

Dr. Darshana Bandara

Department of History and Archaeology,
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences,
University of Ruhuna

Ms. E.D.V. Dilhani

Department of Economics, Faculty of H&SS, University of Ruhuna

Ms. Virasha Godakanda

Department of Sociology, Faculty of H&SS, University of Ruhuna

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 16 2025-26

The Dark Side of Public Transportation in Sri Lanka: A Study of Financial Losses, Underutilization, and Service Inefficiencies in State-owned Transit
Systems

Prof. M. A. K. Sriyalatha (Team Leader)

Department of Business Economics, Faculty
of Management Studies & Commerce,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Dr. Priyantha Lalanie

Department of Business Economics
University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Dr. M.P.K. Withanawasam

Department of Business Economics,
Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 17 2025-26

Transition to EVs: Evaluating Policy, Infrastructure, and Synergies
for Electric Mobility in Sri Lanka

Dr. Bilesha Weeraratne (Team Leader)

Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka

Prof. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan

Department of Economics
University of Colombo

Dr.Asanka Wijesinghe

Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 18 2025-26

Pathway to enhance the socio-economic and environmental benefits of SMEs using biomimicry practices

Prof. Rukmal Weerasinghe (Team Leader)

Department of Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Dr. Kinkini Hemachandra

Huddersfield Business, School University
of Huddersfield, UK

Prof. Emeritus Ranjith
Dissanayake

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Gamani Corea Foundation Team Grant No. 19 2025-26

A Study on Building a Sustainable Organizational Base of the Poor for Poverty Alleviation: Experiences from Hambantota District, Sri Lanka

Prof. Kandauda (K. A. S) Wickrama (Team Leader)

Department of Human Development and Family Science, The University of Georgia, USA

Prof. Jayani Jayawardhana

Department of Health Management & Policy
College of Public Health, University of Kentucky

Dr. Herath Vidyaratne 

Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA), University of Peradeniya
                                                        
                                                        

Mr. W. M. Leelasena

Freelance Researcher

Individual Grants

Grant Number

Title of the Project

Researcher

Affiliation

Gamani Corea Foundation Individual Grant No. 01 2025-26

How Do Remittance Flows Shape Household Economic Behaviour and Contribute to Sustainable Economic Development in Sri Lanka?

Dr. Charith B. Gamage

Independent Researcher

Gamani Corea Foundation Individual Grant No. 02 2025-26

Enabling Digital Transformation in Sri Lankan Small Industries: Opportunities, Challenges, and Policy Imperatives

Prof. Muditha Karunarathna

Department of Economics and Statistics
Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya

Gamani Corea Foundation Individual Grant No. 03 2025-26

Governing the Green Energy Transition in Sri Lanka: Economic, Legal, and Policy
Barriers to Sustainable Renewable Energy Development

Dr. Malraj B. Kiriella

Economist, Independent Consultant