Business

Scholar with an eye on customer satisfaction

Published

2 years ago

2023/07/28

Dr.Gehan Dhameeth,
Associate Professor of Business, Chair of the Business Department and Data Analytics Department – Wells College being interviewed by Himadri Seth of the School of Journalism, Ithaca College, New York.

What is your research philosophy, and how does it manifest in your publications and beyond?

Well, research philosophy – there are different research philosophies where scholars use different approaches to interpret phenomena related to the world. A couple of them that come to my mind would be the Positivist, Pragmatist, and Interpretivist. Essentially my approach is Positivism. Where we depend more on an empirical aspect of the research. We develop hypotheses, collect data, model and test models, and then interpret certain phenomena and how they work when it comes to interactions of the variables.

Can you tell me more about your research interests, particularly in consumer behavior, marketing analytics, and organizational strategy?

Different scholars have their scholarly sweet spots, so it comes based on where they come from. When I say where they come from, it could be their continuous research investment, and the other angle would be the corporate experience that they come with. So based on these two domains, where I come from, I would like to focus more on how consumers behave. The current study I am collaborating on is a research paper on customer satisfaction measurement modeling based on online customer reviews. So, that’s one area, consumer behavior, more specifically customer satisfaction, where my entire investment in scholarship is. The other two areas, marketing analytics, are also interesting because they help us perform budget optimizations, brand positioning, market segmentation, targeting, forecasting, marketing mix optimization, product feature selection, satisfaction measurements, etc. And then the third area was for me to learn more about how the two sides, if we were to conceptualize a company to be in the center, internally how employees would change their behavior when the overall corporate strategies change and at the same time, due to that exact strategy change, how externally the consumers also will change their behavior. Say, for example, throwing out a new product, consumers change, and employees will also have to change how they think, apply, and so on. So that’s why I thought these three areas to be interesting for me.

What are innovative teaching techniques that you use?

For all my classes, I use a student-centered teaching approach. One example that I would like to refer to here is that I use in my classes, more specifically marketing class, where I use case-method teaching. This case-method teaching has three stages. First is the analysis, then the goal and strategy, and the last stage is the implementation. Now in my class, the innovative technique that I use is inside the class; we complete the first phase, which is analysis, but at the stage of goal setting and strategizing, I let the students walk around the campus in groups, not more than four. They walk around, and then they come back with their strategy. The reason for that is that many studies have shown that when motion is associated with the learning process, students learn more, very effectively. So that’s one innovative technique I use in my marketing class when using the case-method approach.

Having held various positions at different schools over the years, how has your teaching philosophy evolved?

Well, first of all, my philosophy about teaching is that learning should be accessible to all individuals in this world regardless of their socio-cultural-ethnic background. So, what I do to take this knowledge to every individual in the classroom, I use a more student-centered teaching approach. How do I do that- I use a specific model unique to me, and I call it the 10-3-10 model. Interesting model. In every class, I use ten minutes of my time to do a lecture, then three minutes of interaction, and then another ten minutes of reflection. By doing that, I think I’m helping everyone to gain the expected knowledge as the objective of the class to walk out with. So that’s my teaching philosophy.

What advice do you have for business students today?

The first thing that we need to understand is that the whole world is changing, so whether you’re a business student or any other, you have to be able to embrace this change. Especially for business students, compared to my time at their undergrad level, it is imperative that you take at least a couple of data-driven classes because that’s the current world that we’re dealing with. So, data-driven decision-making, especially for business students, is critical today. So I advise taking at least a couple of data analytics classes and getting oriented to apply the analytical skills in the future after graduation. In addition, as I explained, you need to consider time management, people skills, and presentation skills, which go beyond your regular business class learning.

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Business

India pledges $450 million for cyclone recovery while Sri Lanka’s top financial watchdog seat remains vacant

Published

50 mins ago

2025/12/25

Sahan Weerasooriya

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar wraps up his official visit to Sri Lanka on 23rd December,2025

India extended a powerful hand of friendship on December 23, pledging $450 million to help Sri Lanka rebuild from Cyclone Ditwah. The aid, announced by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, is a lifeline for critical infrastructure, housing and agriculture.

Yet, even as this commitment was made, a crucial question hung in the air: Who will watch the money?

Sri Lanka has operated without a permanent Auditor General for eight months, an independent observer told The Island Financial Review.

“Since April 2025, the constitutional body meant to be the independent guardian of public spending has been led by temporary appointees. This isn’t just bureaucratic delay; it is a self-inflicted wound on democratic accountability,” he said.

He explained that the Auditor General, mandated by the Constitutional Council, is the linchpin that ensures public funds are used with integrity.

“In a nation still recovering from a devastating economic crisis, the AG’s role is the bedrock of trust. This office audits everything from social safety nets to state-owned enterprise losses and, critically, emergency expenditures,” he noted.

“The delay undermines public trust and robust oversight at a time when these are urgently needed. With no permanent AG, the oversight of billions in cyclone relief funds – including India’s generous package – can be fundamentally weakened.”

India’s decision to provide funds despite this oversight vacuum is a profound act of goodwill, the observer said.

“But the question now shifts squarely to the Sri Lankan government: How will it honour that faith? The $450 million is a mirror held up to Sri Lanka’s governance,” he stated.

He urged the Constitutional Council to act decisively to appoint a competent, independent Auditor General through a transparent process.

“This is the cornerstone of ensuring that disaster recovery builds not just physical infrastructure, but also public trust,” he concluded.

By Sanath Nanayakkare

Business

Robust overseas demand for Sri Lanka’s premier tea

Published

52 mins ago

2025/12/25

Sahan Weerasooriya

Categories such as Instant Tea and Tea Bags have recorded encouraging gains in both volume and foreign exchange earnings

Ceylon Tea exports have demonstrated notable volume growth for the first eleven months of 2025, reaching a cumulative total of 239.57 million kilograms. This figure represents a solid increase of 16.35 million kilograms compared to the corresponding period in 2024, signalling robust overseas demand for Sri Lanka’s premier commodity.

The broader trend, however, reveals a dynamic reshuffling among the nation’s key export markets, painting a picture of both promising diversification and shifting global trade currents.

A striking development is the continued ascendancy of Iraq as the single largest importer of Ceylon Tea. During the January to November period, Iraq purchased 36.77 million kilograms, marking a substantial 21% year-on-year increase and firmly securing its top position. In contrast, the traditional powerhouse market of Russia, while holding second place with 19.94 million kilograms, recorded a 13% decline in volume. Other markets show significant movement; Türkiye follows closely in third place, while Libya has emerged as a high-growth destination, witnessing a remarkable 115% surge in imports to claim fourth position. This evolving landscape underscores a strategic shift, where gains in emerging and regional markets are actively counterbalancing softer demand in some established ones.

Categories such as Instant Tea and Tea Bags have recorded encouraging gains in both volume and foreign exchange earnings, indicating a positive consumer trend towards convenience and value-added products. This gradual move up the value chain is crucial for enhancing the sector’s resilience and profitability.

Business

Sri Lanka to host South Asia’s inaugural Reggae festival in Bentota

Published

53 mins ago

2025/12/25

Sahan Weerasooriya

A tribute to Bob Marley" will be held from 27 to 29 March 2026 on the beaches of Bentota

Sri Lanka is poised to enter the regional cultural spotlight as the host of South Asia’s first-ever reggae music festival. “ONE LOVE 2026 – A Tribute to Bob Marley” will be held from 27 to 29 March 2026 on the beaches of Bentota, marking an unprecedented celebration of global reggae music within the Asia-Pacific region.

The landmark announcement was made at a press conference hosted by the ultra-luxury property, NUWA- City of Dreams in Colombo.

The festival represents a significant cultural and tourism initiative, featuring an unprecedented assembly of international reggae talent for the region. The confirmed lineup includes six globally acclaimed acts: Maxi Priest, The Wailers, Julian Marley & Ky-Mani Marley, Inner Circle and Big Mountain.

Organised by One In A Million Entertainment Ltd.—a Sri Lankan-owned firm with headquarters in Europe and Colombo – in strategic collaboration with Caribbean Entertainment, the event builds upon a proven track record of delivering major international entertainment to Sri Lanka. The festival is anticipated to attract thousands of attendees, including local enthusiasts and visitors from key markets such as India, the Maldives, and Bangladesh, as well as Western tourists seeking a tropical retreat.

Aligning with the commemoration of Bob Marley’s 81st birthday, the event carries profound cultural resonance. It also incorporates a charitable component, with a portion of proceeds dedicated to a children’s orphanage water purification project managed by the Indian Cultural Association in Sri Lanka, and to supporting the charitable activities of the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation in Jamaica.

The festival’s international delegation will be accommodated at NUWA Sri Lanka, the flagship ultra-luxury destination of Melco Resorts & Entertainment in Colombo.

Ticket Information: Daily General Admission: LKR 10,000, Daily VIP Admission: LKR 50,000, Early Bird Three-Day Festival Pass (Limited Offer):, General Admission: LKR 25,000, VIP Access: LKR 125,000 Tickets are available via the PickMe Events platform.