Kotelawala Defence University hosts the 13th Sri Lanka Economic Research Conference 2024

Sri Lanka's prestigious General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) hosted the 13th Sri Lanka Economic Research Conference 2024 (SLERC) recently (Aug 09).

The conference held under the timely theme 'Back to Basics' Policy Stance as a Way Out of the Economic Crisis was organized by the KDU's Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities.

KDU Vice Chancellor Rear Admiral HGU Dammika Kumara, graced the inaugural session as the chief guest. Assistant Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr. Chandranath Amarasekara made the keynote address under the topic "Sri Lanka's crisis, recovery and the way forward", states KDU media sources.

The KDU is Sri Lanka's only defence university with a history spanning more than four decades. Its graduates include tri forces officer cadets and civilians both local and foreign. Degrees awarded by the KDU are recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) Sri Lanka and is also a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (United Kingdom) and the International Association of Universities (IAU).

The Research Conference saw the participation of Dr. Wasantha Premarathne, Chair, Sri Lanka Forum of University Economists 2024, Dr. Lakshika Liyanage, Dean, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, Dr. Tamara Jayasundera, Chair, 13th Sri Lanka Economic Research Conference 2024 and many eminent economists from state universities.

The inauguration ceremony was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Prof. N S Cooray with the participation of Senior Prof. Udith Jayasinghe-Vice Chancellor of the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Dr. Prasad Dharmasena-Director/CEO, National Institute of Plantation Management, Sheran De Alwis-Chief Compliance Officer, Ma's Tropical Food Processing (Pvt) Ltd and Upul Jayatissa-Former Managing Director of Sri Lanka Ports Authority. The participants conveyed valuable insights, discussing topics related to diverse economic approaches in dealing with the Sri Lankan economic landscape.

Subsequently, the technical sessions commenced where presenters from universities and the corporate world shared significant research insights on multiple sectors. This was followed by a thought-provoking discussion. The chairpersons of the sessions, Emeritus Prof. P Hewage, Prof. Ganganee Samaraweera, Prof. MMDR Deegahawature, Dr. AM Indika Gunarathna, Prof. AMM Mustafa, Ms. Sarojini Maheswaranathan, Prof. RA Rathnasiri, S Santhirakumar, Prof. SWGK Bulankulama, Dr. AAM Nufile, Dr. Tamara Jayasundera, Dr. Sashi Weerawansa, Dr. Abdul Cader Mohamed Hanas, Dr. RMNT Sirisoma, Dr. TK Karandakatiya, Prof. NS Cooray, Prof. Suresh Kanesh, Prof. HMA Herath, and Dr. W Premarathne, coordinated the sessions with expertise and exemplary leadership.

Parallel technical sessions were held on thematic topics including Agriculture and Rural Development, Digital Economy and Innovation, Education and Human Capital, Financial Infrastructure, Regulatory Framework and Governance, Labour Markets, Macroeconomics Fundamentals, Infrastructure Development, Social and Environmental Responsibility and Trade and Global Relations.

Upon conclusion of the SLERC, the 50th meeting of the SLFUE was conducted. At the commencement of the meeting, members of the SLFUE expressed their gratitude to Professor Lalithasiri Gunaruwan for his pioneering role as the co-founder of the SLFUE, KDU media sources state.