This site uses cookies, as explained in our terms of use. If you consent, please close this message and continue to use this site.

SANDEE Researchers

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's strong GDP of $59.4 billion and high GNI per capita of $2,920 as of 2014 are the result of a strong growth rate over the past few years following the cessation of an internal conflict that lasted three decades. This economic prosperity has been broadly shared and as a result, poverty in Sri Lanka has declined significantly and rests at 9% of the population. The island country covers 65,610 square kilometers and has 1,340 kilometers of coastline. The population was 20.3 million in 2014. The service sector accounts for the largest portion of GDP, followed by industry and agriculture. A century ago Sri Lanka was blanketed by forests, but less than one third of that area remains under forest cover. The country has established protected areas and made strides in basic sanitation and potable water, but faces issues of continued deforestation, wildlife conservation, water and air pollution, waste disposal, soil erosion and coastal degradation. Sri Lanka is subject to natural disasters such as cyclones, tornadoes and tsunamis.

Mr. Ajantha Kalyanaratne
Senior Lecturer
Department of Economics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Address :
Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
SANDEE Grant Period:
13-07-2009 to 13-01-2011
SANDEE Publications :

Current Research Area/Interests:
Environment and Health
Economics of agro-chemical use
Website:
www.sjp.ac.lk/fhss/econ/

Ms. Asha Gunawardena
Ph. D. candidate
School of Agricultural and Resource Economics, The University of Western Australia
Address :
Crawley ,Western Australia
SANDEE Publications :

  1. Gunawardena, A., K. Wickramasinghe (2010), ‘Targeting and Distribution of Post-Tsunami Aid in Sri Lanka: A Critical Appraisal’, SANDEE Working Paper No. 55-10
  2. Gunawardena, A. and K. Wickramasinghe (2010), ‘Was Tsunami Aid Well Targeted? An Examination of Disaster Aid in Sri Lanka’, SANDEE Policy Brief 50 – 10

Other Publications:
Gunawardena, A. and K. Wickramasinghe (2009), ‘ Social and Economic Impacts of Resettlement on Tsunami Affected Coastal Fishery Households in Sri Lanka’, in Fernando P., Fernando K. and M. Kumarasir (ed). Forced to move – -Involuntary Displacement and Resettlement: Policy and Practice, 8th Annual Symposium, Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA), Sri Lanka.
Current Research Area/Interests:
Environmental Economics
Agriculture and Resource Economics
Development Economics

Mr. Athula Senaratne
Head
Environmental Economics Policy Research at Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka
Address:
Kolonnawa,Sri Lanka
SANDEE Grant Period:
23-02-2003 to 23-02-2005

SANDEE Publications :

  1. Senaratne, A. and K. Karunanayake (2007), ‘Transaction Costs and Institutional Innovation: Sustainability of Tank Aquaculture in Sri Lanka, SANDEE Working Paper No. 18-07
  2. Senaratne, A. (2007), ‘Sustainability of Community Aquaculture? A Study of Transaction Costs from Sri Lanka’, SANDEE Policy Brief No. 17-07

Mr. Chatura Rodrigo
Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka
Address :
Colombo, Sri Lanka
SANDEE Grant Period:
25-04-2014 to 24-04-2016
SANDEE Publications :
Economic Analysis of Organic Rice Production in Sri Lanka: Opportunity Cost of Supply Vs Willingness to Pay (Ongoing Research Project)

Mr. Cyril Bogahawatte
Professor
Department of Agricultural Economics & Business Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya
Address :
Kandy, Sri Lanka
SANDEE Grant Period:
29-09-2005 to 29-09-2006

SANDEE Publications :

  1. Bogawatte, C. and H. Bandara (2008), ‘Air Quality and Cement Production: Examining the Implications of Point Source Pollution in Sri Lanka’, SANDEE Working Paper No. 35-08
  2. Bogawatte, C. and H. Bandara (2008), ‘The Health Costs of Cement Production – A Study of Air Pollution in Sri Lanka’, SANDEE Policy Brief No. 32 – 08

Ms. Dayani Gunathilaka
PhD Scholar
School of Environment, Griffith University, Nathan campus
Address :
Nathan, Queensland, Australia
SANDEE Grant Period:
05-04-2015 to 31-12-2016
SANDEE Publications :
Economic Consequences of Climate Change for Sri Lankan Tea Production (Ongoing Research Project)
Dayani is currently pursuing her PhD in School of Environment of Griffith University, Australia
Current Research Area/Interests:
Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics
Website:
www.griffith.edu.au/environment-planning-architecture/australian-rivers-institute/members/hdr-students/ms-dayani-gunathilaka

Ms. Dilhani Marawila
Researcher
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Sydney
Address :
Sydney, NSW, Australia
SANDEE Grant Period:
16-06-2002 to 16-12-2003
SANDEE Publications :

  1. Marawila, D. and M. Thibbotuwawa (2010), ‘To Develop or to Conserve? The Case of the Diyawanna Oya Wetlands in Sri Lanka’, SANDEE Working Paper No. 52-10
  2. Marawila, D. and M. Thibbotuwawa (2010), ‘Develop or Conserve? The Case of the Diyawanna Oya Wetlands in Sri Lanka, SANDEE Policy Brief No. 47-10

Current Research Area/Interests:
Environmental Economics, Natural Resource Economics, Development Economics, Spatial Analysis

Mr. E.P.N. Udayakumara
Senior Lecturer
Dept. of Natural Resources, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
Address :
Belihuloya, Sri Lanka
SANDEE Grant Period:
01-03-2013 to 01-03-2015
SANDEE Publications :
Assessment of Soil Conservation Benefits of Uma-Oya Watershed in Sri Lanka (Ongoing Research Project)
Other Publications:

  • Udayakumara, E.P.N., R. P. Shrestha, L. Samarakoon and D. Schmidt-Vogt (2012), ‘ Mitigating soil erosion through farm-level adoption of soil and water conservation measures in Samanalawewa Watershed, Sri Lanka’, Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section B: Soil and Plant Science, Vol.62, No. 3, pp. 273 -285
  • Udayakumara, E.P.N. and R. P. Shrestha (2011), ‘Assessing livelihood for improvement: Samanalawewa reservoir environs, Sri Lanka’, International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, Vol.18, No. 4, pp. 366-376
  • Udayakumara, E.P.N., R. P. Shrestha, L. Samarakoon and D. Schmidt-Vogt (2010), ‘ People’s perception and socioeconomic determinants of soil erosion: A case study of Samanalawewa watershed, Sri Lanka’, International Journal of Sediment Research, Vol.25, No. 4, pp. 323-339

Current Research Area/ Interests :
Land Degradation
Soil Science
Hydrology
Productivity Change
Water Quality and
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Ms. H.M. Badra Sriyani Hearath
Senior Lecturer
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Address:
Colombo, Sri Lanka
SANDEE Grant Period:
01-09-2015 to 30-09-2016
SANDEE Publications :
Home Gardens in Sri Lanka: Determinants for Transformation and degradation (Ongoing Research Project)

Ms. J.A.A.M Jayakoddy
Tea Research Institute
Address :
Colombo, Sri Lanka (This affiliation/address is for the grant period)
SANDEE Publications:
Development of an appropriate financial support system for soil conservation in tea lands in Sri Lanka (SANDEE Research Project)

Mr. Jagath Chaminda Edirisinghe
Senior Lecturer
Department of Agribusiness Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
Address :
Makandura, Gonawila (NWP), Sri Lanka
SANDEE Publications :
  1. Distributional Impacts of Climate Change on Smallholder Agriculture (Ongoing Research Project)
  2. Edirisinghe, J., S. Siriwardana, S. Siriwardana and P. Prasandith (2008), ‘Can Tax Combat Pollution? An Assessment of the Sri Lankan Rubber Industry,’ SANDEE Policy Brief No. 29 – 08
  3. Edirisinghe, J., S. Siriwardana, S. Siriwardana and P. Prasandith (2008), ‘Taxing the Pollution: A Case for Reducing the Environmental Impacts of Rubber Production in Sri Lanka’, SANDEE Working Paper No. 30 – 08

Other Publications:

  1. Edirisinghe, J. C. (2015), ‘Smallholder farmers’ household wealth and livelihood choices in developing countries: A Sri Lankan case study’, Economic Analysis and Policy, Vol. 45.DOI: 10.1016/j.eap.2015.01.001
  2. Edirisinghe, J. C. (2014). Taxing the Pollution: A Case for Reducing the Environmental Impacts of Rubber Production in Sri Lanka.Journal of South Asian Development, 9(1), 71-90.
  3. Kuruppu, I. V., J. C. Edirisinghe, H. M. L. K. Herath, U. K. Jayasinghe-Mudalige, W. Wijesuriya, J. M. M. Udugama and A. P. S. Fernando (2015), “Farmers’ Valuation of Agro-Biodiversity in Home Gardens: Case Study in the Kurunegala District”, Journal of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka, 4(1): 72 – 83.
  4. Ranasinghe, H. R. A. L. N., Lokuge, L. D. M. N., Edirisinghe, J.C., Bandara, L., (2015) Water Treatment, Preventive Measures and the Chronic Kidney Disease in the Farming Community in Sri Lanka. The Journal of Agricultural Scicences Vol 10 (2) pp98-108
  5. Jayawardane, C., & Edirisinghe, J. C. (2014). Environmental Stringency and Dirty Exports: an Empirical Analysis. International Journal of Economic Practices and Theories, 4(6), 1018-1023.
  6. Edirisinghe, J.C., and Wijesuriya, W., (2014) Spatial Relationships in Choosing to Conserve Soil in Smallholder Rubber Farming. Journal of Environmental Professionals of Sri Lanka, Vol 3 No. 1 pp. 22-29
  7. Waduge, T. D., Edirisinghe, J.C., Fernando, A. P. S., Herath, H. M. L. K., & Jayasinghe-Mudalige, U. K.(2014) Labour and Weather Related Risks in Smallholder Rubber Production: Evidence From Kalutara District. Tropical Agricultural Research and Extension, 16(3), pp 87-91
  8. Hasanthika, W.K.A.M.A., Edirisinghe, J.C., and Rajapakshe, R.D.D.P. (2013) Climate Variability, Risk and Paddy Production, Journal of Environmental Professionals of Sri Lanka, Vol 2 No. 2 pp. 57-65
  9. Edirisinghe, J.C. (2012) Community pressure and environmental compliance: Case of rubber processing in Sri Lanka. Journal of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka 1(1)

Current Research Area/ Interests :
Environmental and Resource Economics
Agricultural and Food Economics
Bayesian analysis of Economic problems related to agriculture and the environment

Mr. Kanchana Wickramasinghe
Research Officer
Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS)
Address :
Colombo, Sri Lanka
SANDEE Grant Period:
01-09-2012 to 01-09-2014
SANDEE Publications :

  1. Gunawardena, A. and K. Wickramasinghe (2010), ‘Targeting and Distribution of Post-Tsunami Aid in Sri Lanka: A Critical Appraisal’, SANDEE Working Paper No. 55 – 10
  2. Gunawardena, A. and K. Wickramasinghe (2010), ‘Was Tsunami Aid Well Targeted? An Examination of Disaster Assistance in Sri Lanka’, SANDEE Policy Brief No.50 – 10

Other Publications:

  1. Wickramasinghe, K. (2011), ‘Public-Private Partnerships in Disaster Management: Case of Disaster Early Warning Network (DEWN)’, Policy Brief No. 2, Institute of Policy Studies, Colombo
  2. Senaratne, A. and K. Wickramasinghe (2011), ‘Commons vs. Commons: Managing Scarce Water Resources in Dry Zone Village Tank Systems in Sri Lanka’, Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA) Research Report
  3. Gunawardena, A. and K. Wickramasinghe (2009), ‘Social and Economic Impacts of Resettlement on Tsunami Affected Coastal Fishery Households in Sri Lanka’. In Fernando, P., K. Fernando, M. Kumarasiri, Forced to Move: Involuntary Displacement and Resettlement – Policy and Practice. Colombo, Sri Lanka, Centre for Poverty Analysis
Current Research Area/Interests:
Environmental Economics
Agricultural Economics
Poverty Analysis

Ms. Kinkini Dias Weligamage Hemachandra
Senior Lecturer
Department of Business Economics, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Address :
Gangodawilla, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
SANDEE Publications :

  1. Hemachandra, D. W. K. (2015), ‘Adoption of Voluntary Environmental Practices: Evidence from the Textile and Apparel Industry in Sri Lanka’, SANDEE Working Paper No. 93 – 15
  2. Hemachandra, D. W. K. (2015), ‘Corporates and the Environment: External pressure pushes Sri Lanka’s Garment and Apparel sector towards Good Environmental Practices’, SANDEE Policy Brief No. 84-15

Current Research Area/Interests:
Public policy and governance
Environmental Economics
Development Economics

Mr. Manoj Thibbotuwawa
Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka
Address :
Colombo, Sri Lanka
SANDEE Publications :

  1. Marawila, D. and M. Thibbotuwawa (2010), ‘To Develop or to Conserve? The Case of the Diyawanna Oya Wetlands in Sri Lanka’, SANDEE Working Paper No. 52-10
  2. Marawila, D. and M. Thibbotuwawa (2010), ‘Develop or Conserve? The Case of the Diyawanna Oya Wetlands in Sri Lanka, SANDEE Policy Brief No. 47-10

Other Publications:

  1. Analysis of the Fisheries Sector in Sri Lanka, Guided case studies in value chain development for conflict-affected environments, Micro Report # 100, United States Agency for International Development. March 2008.
  2. Transforming Agriculture and Irrigation for Prosperity in IPS (eds), Mahinda Chinthanaya: A Commentary on Policy Options, Research Studies: Working paper series No. 11, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka, October 2007.

Current Research Area/Interests:
Production risk/efficiency
Food security
Agricultural trade

Mr. Prabath Nishantha Edirisinghe
Forest Department
Address :
Sampathpaya, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka
SANDEE Publications :
Factors Encourage Slash and Burn Cultivation in Dry Zone Sri Lanka (SANDEE Research Project)
Current Research Area/Interests:
Natural Resource Management

Mr. Saman Janaranjana Herath Bandara
Assistant Professor
University of Mount Olive, Division of Management Systems
Address :
Tillman School of Business North Carolina, USA
SANDEE Publications :
Bogahawatte, C. and Herath, J. (2008), ‘Air quality and cement production – examining the implications of point source pollution in Sri Lanka,’ SANDEE Working Paper No. 35-08 Read More…
Bogahawatte, C. and Herath, J. (2008), ‘Health cost of cement production- A study of air pollution in Sri Lanka’, SANDEE Policy Brief No. 32-08. Read More….
Other Publications:

  1. Herath, J. and Bogahawatte, C. (2007), ‘Health impacts of cement production process in Puttalam district of Sri Lanka’, Journal of Health and Development, 3(1/2), 113-121.Read More..
  2. Bogahawatte, C. and Herath, J. (2011), ‘Air Quality and Cement Production: Examining the Implications of Point Source Pollution in Sri Lanka’, in Environmental Valuation in South Asia, edited by Enamul Haque, A.K., Murty, M.N. and Shyamasundar, P., Cambridge University Press.

Current Research Area/ Interests :
Natural resource and environmental economics
Health economics and policy applications
Energy economics, global warming and climate change
Rural economic development and policy issues
Agribusiness management and food sustainability.

Mr. Shamen Pabhath Vidanage
Programme Coordinator
IUCN Sri Lanka
Address :
Colombo, Sri Lanka
SANDEE Grant Period:
01-09-2015 to 31-12-2016
SANDEE Publications :
Contribution of Small tank Cascade Systems to Rural Economy of Sri Lanka (Ongoing Research Project)

Mr. Udith Jayasinghe
Faculty of Agriculture & Plantation Management
Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
Address :
Wayamba, Sri Lanka
SANDEE Grant Period:
31-03-2008 to 31-03-2010
SANDEE Publications :

  1. Jayasinghe, U. and M. Udugama (2011), ‘Motives for Firms to Adopt Solid Waste Management Controls: The Case of Food Processing Sector in Sri Lanka’, SANDEE Working Paper No. 60 -11
  2. Jayasinghe, U. (2011), ‘What Makes Food Processing Firms Clean Up their Waste? A Case Study from Sri Lanka’, SANDEE Policy Brief No. 55 – 11

Mr. W.R. Rohitha
Address :
Sri Lanka
SANDEE Grant Period:
25-02-2003 to 25-08-2004
SANDEE Publications :
Measuring the Vulnerability of Households to Climate Change- A Capacity to Adapt Perspective (Ongoing Research Project)
Other Publications:
  1. Rohitha, W. R. (2008), ‘Evaluating Gains from De-Eutrophication of the Dutch Canal in Sri Lanka: A Cost Benefit Analysis’, SANDEE Working Paper No. 29-07
  2. Rohitha, W. R. (2008), ‘Water Pollution Lowers Returns to Shrimp Farms- Evidence from Sri Lanka’, SANDEE Policy Brief No. 28-08

Mr. Wasantha Athukorala
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Economics and Statistics, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya
Address :
Kandy, Sri Lanka
SANDEE Grant Period:
15-10-2013 to 14-10-2015
SANDEE Publications :
Valuation of crop genetic resources: Farmer preferences for Banana diversity and genetically modified Banana in Sri Lanka (SANDEE Research Project)
Current Research Area/Interests:
Environment Valuation
Choice Experiment
Urban Air Pollution
Website:
www.pdn.ac.lk/arts/econ/ppawa.html

Mr. Wasantha Rathnayake
Senior Lecturer and Dean Faculty of Management Studies
Department of Tourism Management
Address :
Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya, Sri Lanka
SANDEE Grant Period:
01-03-2011 to 01-03-2013
SANDEE Publications:

  1. Rathnayake, R. M. W. (2015), ‘Estimating Demand for Turtle Conservation at the Rekawa Sanctuary in Sri Lanka’, SANDEE Working Paper No. 92 -15
  2. Rathnayake, R. M. W. (2015), ‘Visitor entrance fees can pay for marine turtle conservation at the Rekawa sanctuary in Sri Lanka’, SANDEE Policy Brief No. 89 – 15

Current Research Area/Interests:
Environmental Valuation

Education and Training

Related content

Summer School
read more
Winter School
read more
Research and Writing Workshops
read more
Advanced/Other Courses
read more
Research and Training Workshops
read more
Conferences
read more
explore