Opinion
Sinhala wordsmith extraordinaire remembered on his 40th death anniversary
By Dr Upul Wijayawardhana
“I write my songs not for critical acclaim but for the sole purpose of the enjoyment of listeners, without them having to turn the pages of a dictionary!” Thus retorted Karunaratne Abeysekera, during an interview, when reference was made to the disapproval of some critics of his lyrical style. Paradoxically now, 40 years after his death, critics are falling over each other to praise his lyrical style; simple though beautiful and musical words, arranged rhythmically to subtly convey, meanings often very deep, which brought about a sea change in Sinhala music for the masses! More importantly, his philosophy has proved correct as the songs he penned still dominate the airwaves, despite the vast changes in the broadcast media since his death. The young, who have no idea whose compositions they are, join the old in singing his songs, made immortal by the vast number of talented Sinhala singers, most of whom he nurtured. To them, to me and my generation, he was our dearly beloved Karuayya whose life was cut short at the height of his career, prematurely at the age of 52, on 20th April 1983. Even the vast expanse of four decades has not dulled the pain in our hearts.
Because of his enduring legacy as a lyricist, many forget that Karunaratna Abeysekara was a pioneer and excelled in many other fields too. He was a true wordsmith excelling in the written word as well as the spoken. He was born in Ratmale, a little village south of Matara on 3 June 1930, the eldest of ten children of Podiappuhami Abeysekara and Premawathi Abeysekara. The family moved to Colombo where his father started a small business but they moved back temporarily to their village during World War II which gave him the opportunity to study Sinhala, Pali, and Sanskrit under Venerable Ananda of Galkanda Vihara, which laid the foundation for the mastery with words. On return, he entered Nalanda College where his teacher was the poet U A S Perera, better known as Siriayya who conducted Lama Pitiya in Radio Ceylon, which was a life-changing event. This drew him to broadcasting, taking part in “Lama Pitiya” from the age of 12. He continued to study oriental languages under Venerable Dehigaspe Pannasara of Vidyodaya Pirivena whilst continuing his studies in English at Nalanda.
Even before gaining reputation as a lyricist, Karunaratna Abeysekara won recognition as a leading poet of the ‘Colombo Era.’ He started writing Sinhala poetry at a very young age, winning the competition for ‘The Best Young Poet’ conducted by Nava Kala Mandalaya in 1942, and continued to write regularly to Sinhala newspapers till death, in addition to publishing several collections. Thanks to Karuayya’s youngest brother Kirthie, who lives in the USA, I have been able to read three sets of poems written close to his unexpected death, which gives a hint of premonition. In a poem titled Ayachanayak (Request), printed in Kalpana in October 1982, he makes an appeal to the ‘Life-giver’ for an extension of ten years. It is a moving poem wherein he gives reasons why he is requesting the extension; that he wishes to see his son grow up, that he can contribute to Sinhala literature in many ways and write for the unity of the nation. It is not without humour, as he states that all he wants is the extension even if it makes him look aged! In a poem addressed to his sister Suji, who has just got married, titled Thawath Neyek (Another Relative) printed in Silumina of 27 February 1983, two months before death, whilst welcoming the brother-in-law, he ends up with a request: ‘Me neth piyawunoth hema heta midee pinin – mage piyambai putui dingak balaganin’ which translates as ‘If by any chance these eyes close due to exhaustion of merit, please look after a bit, my dear wife and son.’ His last poem ‘Duka biya nethi Nivana pathami’ (Wishing for Nibbana sans sorrow and fear) appeared in Silumina a month after his death!
Karunaratna Abeysekara faced the most crucial decision of his life in 1950, when he had to choose between admission to Peradeniya University for a degree or join Radio Ceylon as a relief announcer, earning seven Rupees a day. He opted for the latter as he felt that was the only way he could support his younger siblings, his father’s business being not lucrative. This move not only allowed him to support his siblings admirably but also build a very successful broadcasting career. He was a brilliant newsreader but outshone all others as a commentator. In the era of before television, we were at the mercy of commentators to visualise any important event. Whereas others described what was happening, Karuayya painted the picture in our minds with his unmatched eloquence. I still remember listening to his commentary when Queen Elizabeth visited us in 1954 and painting the picture of the procession in my mind. The way he moved the entire nation to tears at S W R D’s funeral has become part of broadcasting legend.
Invariably, he was drawn to children’s programmes and Saraswathi Madapaya he hosted on Sunday evenings, became the star of children’s programmes. I had the fortune of participating regularly and helping Karuayya from 1957 to 1964, being introduced to it by Karuayya’s brother Daya and my good friend Buddhadasa Bodhinayaka. We would help by sorting out letters, writing features and reading scripts live ,etc.. which gave us the grounding in broadcasting. Karuayya arrived about half an hour before the programme goes live on-air and penned a couple of songs, which were set to music by Master D D Denny to be sung by the children who became the leading musicians later. Saraswathi Mandapaya was the incubator not only for budding singers but also for lyricists and script writers, far too many to mention by name.
Karuayya was the creator of the genre of Sinhala Children’s Songs and his compositions like Sarungale, Lenage pitameda Iri tuna ende kauda mage amme, Dan nivadukale hinda ne iskole, Mamai Raja kale vihilu keru Andare, Surathal ape denila vana mal kele pipeela are still sung by children and adults alike.
He pioneered cricket commentary in Sinhala, the very first being a report on the Ananda-Nalanda Big-match he gave on Saraswathi Mandapaya. He quickly switched to live commentary and is credited with coining many Sinhala cricket terms. No doubt the enthusiasm for and the popularity of cricket, the ‘coloniser’s game,’ in the villages is in no mean measure due to the commentaries in Sinhala which Karuayya pioneered in his inimitable style which enabled the listeners to visualise the game long before the advent of television.
On retiring from the National Service, he joined the Commercial Service of Radio Ceylon where he revolutionised advertising by coining catchy slogans and introducing memorable jingles which are played even today. He was ethical to the core, ensuring that products he advertised stood to scrutiny, often visiting the establishments to ensure. This, unfortunately, is a practice unknown today when celebrities sell their souls endorsing any product for cash!
He was in great demand to present concerts and, in fact, many attended to see Karuayya as much for the concert. When he commenced the proceedings, immaculately dressed with hair combed with Brylcream and a wide smile below the thin moustache, crowds roared with applause as he raised his hands and said Ayubowan His introductions were crisp and concise, describing a lot in a few words. Another less well-known activity was writing the dialogue for films.
Without any doubt, Karunaratna Abeysekara was one of the best lyricists, if not the best, Sri Lanka has ever had; the most versatile without a doubt. His lyrics could be anything from children to classical, funny to provocative but he was at his best when it came to romance, probably because of his own turbulent love affair with Raniakka before marriage. She, like many millions in the country, had fallen in love with his voice initially which later developed into a romance, much objected to by her elders who kept her a virtual prisoner in her home. One day, Tilakasiri Fernado has been waiting in studio 10 of Radio Ceylon for Karuayya as he was one song short for his programme the same evening. When the plight was explained, Karuayya vented the pent-up feelings by writing immediately ‘Enna mada nale, gos pawasanna duka mage’ which was sung with great emotion the same evening and remains a classic in Sinhala music. He requests the wind to take his message of love to her, as it is only the wind that can reach her prison and tells the wind that he is helpless, his only treasure being her, adding that he will be ever grateful if the wind conveys his sadness to her. Quoting a passage from a note Raniakka was able to smuggle through to him, he wrote “Mawa hanga wane, aiyo Sakdevidune, Pandupul asane, aido unu nune” for the film Dingiri Menike.
In turn, Karuayya extended a helping hand to others in romantic difficulties. When there were problems with Sanath Nadasiri’s romance with Malkanthi Pieris, he is supposed to have mediated, in addition to writing the beautiful song “Ma hada asapuwa, kusumin sarasuwa, e Malbara dethai” sung in the melodious voice of Sanath, with the word Malbara hinting at Malkanthi! When Milton Perera had difficulty in expressing his love to Kalyani, he appealed to Karuayya who obliged with “Kalyaniye oba nesu kathawak kiyannam” with Milton declaring his love over the airwaves and thousands of lovers using it since to overcome their difficulties of romantic expression! In fact, Kalyani is mentioned in another song he wrote for Milton: “Sihina dev duwe, obata thun love, ekama nami ma danne e nama adare” wherein Milton sings “Kalyani namata ama pem, divi banduna puda karannam” No doubt, they were happily married!
When Dileepa was born, after a gap of ten years, Karuayya was overjoyed and had been lying down on a mat between the two beds occupied by his wife and mother, when he got the sudden urge to pen a song. He got up and wrote “Dileepa podi puthu, saneepayata nidi, Mawage ukul yahane” which was printed in Silumina. Seeing this Clarence Wijewardene has approached Karuayya and had said he will pay anything for the song! In an interview Karuayya mentioned that this and “Enna mada nale” are his favourite songs. Shortly before his death, Karuayya had been listening to a radio programme where they had discussed “Enna mada nale” Raniakka mentioned in an interview that Karuayya was very pleased and had commented “It is a haunting song.” It is a small mercy that he could listen to his favourite as the last.
No one knows how many songs he wrote in his short but fruitful lifetime as he penned songs for many including my wife, Primrose and the figure of 2,000 often quoted is a gross underestimate. He must have written thousands for the Saraswathi Mandapaya, which went unrecorded. Before the introduction of television, more than half the songs in the SLBC library had been written by him. He had written songs for over 300 films. Though the first song he composed for a film was “Kataragame Devige bime, Ruhunu janapade” screening of Sirisena Wimalaweera’s film Asoka was delayed, Varada Kageda being released before, two songs of which remain popular to this day: “Dalula prema gase” and “Piyalee kedila wetuna nebul Saman male” both sung by Mohideen Baig.
Some critics consider Karuayya’s best lyrics for a film are in Kurulu Bedda, with music by R Muthusamy and sterling performances by Punya Heendeniya and D R Nanayakkara, which include “Aruna Udaye” by Milton Perera, “Oya belma, oya kelma, nilupul nete” by Lata and Dharmadasa Walpola. However, my personal choice is Daskama, the only film Edwin Samaradiwakara provided music for. “Ipida mere” sung by Amaradewa is a synopsis of Buddhism and is a classic but there are many other beautiful songs too, masterfully crafted, and beautifully sung: “Honda Kala ada” by Mohideen Baig, “Mada diye pipunata” and “Turu wadulu tule” by GSB Rani Perera, “Goyam paseela kumbure” by Indrani Wijebandara as well as “Devlova devsepa” by Indrani Wijebandara and Mallika Kahavita.
Karuayya had the versatility to suit the lyric to the singer’s style and even to suit the actor, for film songs. It is said that seven other lyricists failed to satisfy Nimal Mendis for his composition for the film Kalu Diya Dahara but Karuayya succeeded with “Master Sir” He excelled in writing about inanimate objects; perhaps, the only lyricist to do so. “Awile semada” is about a candle, “Basicale” is about the bicycle, “Sarungale” is about a kite and “Naga lovin gena apu Bulathatha” is about sheaf of Betel, a song that runs through all the associated rituals, reminding us about our old traditions. Often, he made use of life-events to pen a song. Whilst having dinner in a Chinese restaurant, the waiter has dropped a tray earning a public reprimand from the manager which prompted, the moment he got home, to write “Wedakarala ewara nometha deviyane – Mokotada ma duppathwe ipadune”
A week or two before his death, we visited Karuayya’s place as Primrose wanted a song for her SLBC concert and she requested any song. It took him less than fifteen minutes to write the song “Minimewuldama nethath banda bendune, Visakavak wanna Diyaniyane – Amila kahavanu nethath ata randune, Anepindusitu wanna Puthanuwane” It was his message to our two children telling them to be generous even if they do not posses the riches of Anathapindika or Visaka. In the lyrics, he urged them to love the nation, serve and treasure Buddhism and shine like the moon by eradicating ignorance through wisdom. Perhaps, he knew this was our last meeting as when he died, I was in Vienna attending the World Congress of Pacing. Forever I regret, for not being with him in his hour of need.
May Karuayya attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!
On 20th May 2025, KOICA Volunteer Partner’s Day of year 2025 was held at the Courtyard by Marriott with the presence of the Country Director of KOICA Sri Lanka office Mrs. LEE Yooli, Mr. Samantha Bandara, the Director General of External Resources Department and officials from the Department of Technical Education & Training, National Institute of Education, Schools, Universities, National Youth Services Council, Colombo Public Library and over fifteen (15) volunteer partner organization representatives in Sri Lanka.
At present, there are thirteen (13) KOICA volunteers serving in Sri Lanka and the meeting organized by KOICA (WFK Division) was to share the know-how, experience and knowledgeable resources with the respective partner organizations. The main goals of the knowledge sharing session were to deliver relevant information about the KOICA Volunteer program and to generate insights from the partner organizations that will be useful in recalibrating WFK program’s future direction, including safety and security.
During the session, participants of partner organizations showed their strong need to obtain the services of volunteers, especially for the fields of Korean Language, ICT, Electronics, Social Welfare, Electronics and Auto-Mobile Engineering. Furthermore, they appreciated and emphasized the importance of expanding of KOICA Volunteer Program to rural areas in Sri Lanka.
Since the initiation of KOICA Sri Lanka office in 1991, volunteer dispatch activities have taken place throughout most regions in the country. There has been a significant demand for KOICA volunteers in the educational sphere targeting areas of Korean Language, ICT, etc. The expertise received from Korea has not only shown developmental potential in partner organizations but has also provided invaluable expertise for the youth to excel in the job market.
The Country Director of KOICA Sri Lanka office Mrs. LEE YOOLI expressed her gratitude to all the participants of partner organizations and added “KOICA Headquarters, together with the Sri Lanka Office, is pleased to continue the volunteer program under its ODA endeavors towards Sri Lanka; while introducing new focused volunteer fields in alignment with the SDG goals and the Sri Lankan government priorities.”
In the meeting, Mr. Samantha Bandara, Director General of the External Resources Department, extended his deep appreciation to KOICA for overall technical cooperation towards Sri Lanka and especially, appreciated the services of volunteers who contribute for the social and economic growth of the country, by sharing their expertise and Korea’s development experience.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the grant aid division of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, is the Korean government agency for grant aids under the mission of “Contributing to the common prosperity and the promotion of world peace through inclusive, mutual development cooperation leaving no one behind.”
The election of the JVP/NPP leader as the executive president of Sri Lanka was no doubt momentous, perhaps, second only to the election of Ranasinghe Premadasa to the same coveted position. Though it was the first time the ‘caste barrier’ was broken, unfortunately, instead of hailing this social revolution Premadasa had other ideas; he attempted to rewrite history by attempting to change his heritage thus missing a great opportunity to show that Sri Lanka indeed was a country of equality and opportunity! AKD shares with Premadasa the same great achievement of reaching the top from very humble beginnings. In addition, AKD is the only leader of the country to be elected from a party with a ‘terrorist’ heritage and many were hopeful that this would not be a baggage. As recent events have shown, it looks as if he is not able to shed that baggage. It is said that a leopard cannot change its spots! This is past repeating itself, as well illustrated by the actions of our first executive president JRJ; he was a manoeuvrer who could not stop doing so, even when he reached the top, which no doubt contributed to his downfall!
AKD started well, just like all his predecessors have done, but wheels seem to be coming off the wagon pretty soon! He continues to behave like an opposition politician continuing with attacks on his opponents, past and present, instead of concentrating on statecraft, to take action to alleviate the suffering of the masses burdened with severe economic hardships and chart a course for future prosperity. Perhaps, this may at least be partly due to his having to face election after election but this should not be an excuse. Prior to the presidential election he portrayed that he was surrounded by groups of experts, of all modalities, who were ready with policies for rapid implementation but these experts seem to have disappeared into thin air! Only experts in economics seem to be from the much-maligned IMF. The message from the voters seems to be falling on deaf ears as shown by absurd explanations given for the erosion of the vote at the last local government elections.
He seems to be a one-man band which, worryingly, dashes hope for the long-promised abolition of the presidency. He would be totally ineffective without the executive powers of the presidency. This seems yet another addition to his unfulfilled promises. He is apparently being supported by a group of amateurs! Prior to elections there was much hype about the PM, a respected academic, who seems to have been pushed to the background. She does not seem to be functioning efficiently even as the minister of education. Ragging continues in universities resulting in suicides. Even worse was the suicide of a student sexually molested by a teacher, humiliated by a friend of the accused teacher, a private tutor who contested on the NPP ticket. The initial punishment for the teacher, till public protests erupted, was a transfer to a distant school. To make a terrible situation even worse was the action of the minister tasked with ensuring the safety of women and children. She claimed that the parents had not met her and handed over a petition.
This lack of leadership is replicated by the President himself. AKD’s mantra during the parliamentary election campaign was cleansing of Diyawannawa but no sooner had the guardian of the house been elected than his doctorate from a private Japanese university was questioned. After much hesitation, the speaker resigned, claiming that he would prove his academic qualifications. He has not done so and he is still an ‘honourable’ MP! Another MP, a female lawyer had the audacity to state that under the NPP government anyone was free to lie and admitted that she had lied about billions of dollars airlifted to Uganda by the Rajapaksas! AKD has taken no action against these MPs.
AKD also had an exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic to be held in the run-up to the recent local elections. It did not pay dividends may be because the arrangements were in shambles. He visited Vietnam to deliver a lecture for the International Vesak Day but apparently did not find time to pay homage to the Buddha’s sacred relics on display a short distance away from the conference hall. He did find time to lay a wreath at the memorial of the war dead and flew back on a private jet so that he could vote in the LG elections! Another promise broken but it is claimed that a Buddhist society had paid for the private jet!
AKD’s actions regarding the ceremony to remember and honour war heroes clearly shows that he has completely lost the plot. To the shock and horror of all patriotic Sri Lankans, an announcement was made a couple of days ago by the secretary of defence that the ceremony would be presided over by the deputy minister of defence! In short, the commander of the forces is too busy or too reluctant to attend the remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives for the integrity of the country. I doubt it has happened in any country! If he was of the opinion that this event was superfluous or that it hampered reconciliation, he should have had the guts to issue a statement to that effect. Coming from a ‘terrorist’ heritage, the JVP may be having a soft corner for the terrorists killed by the armed forces and may have thought it was hypocritical for him to attend!
As the public outcry could not be patched over, he decided not only to attend the ceremony but also visit the disabled and allow them to take selfies. It is a shame that AKD seems to have developed selective amnesia for his past statements. During the time Rajapaksas were leading the campaign to eradicate the Tigers, AKD was a strong supporter and at times claimed that he told them what to do! What has brought about this change? Was it the backing from the pro-LTTE groups in other countries?
To add insult to injury, during his speech he alluded that the ‘war’ had been fought for political gains. Though it may have produced political gains, doesn’t he realise that it was fought, at a tremendous cost, to defeat terrorism for the purpose of continuing the integrity of the country? He and his acolytes are spreading the canard that this is different as we did not fight a foreign country. Had the Tigers succeeded, we may well be fighting a different country in our little island! His virtual equation of dead terrorists to our fallen heroes added further insult.
Unfortunately, we seem an ungrateful country insulting our fallen war heroes and allowing hypocritical Western nations insulting our living heroes.
by Dr Upul Wijayawardhana
Sri Lanka holds immense untapped economic potential, bolstered by its strategic location along major global trade routes, rich natural resources, and a vibrant cultural heritage. Yet, despite these advantages, the nation has faced significant setbacks in recent decades—civil conflict, political instability, economic mismanagement, and rising poverty. Against this backdrop, the call to “Make Sri Lanka Great” is more than a slogan; it is a mission. It represents a collective vision to restore economic stability, promote inclusive growth, and unlock a future of opportunity for all Sri Lankans.
Reclaiming Sri Lanka’s Historical Greatness
Historically, Sri Lanka was a flourishing centre of commerce, education, and cultural exchange in the Indian Ocean. Its location between East and West positioned it as a maritime trade hub linking Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Ports such as Colombo, Galle, Trincomalee, KKS connected global traders, scholars, and travelers, fostering a dynamic and prosperous economy.
Today, reviving this legacy is crucial. Economic renewal must be anchored in a fusion of historical insight, national unity, and bold innovation. To move forward, Sri Lanka must:
* Reclaim its legacy of knowledge, resilience, and productivity.
* Promote confidence in its global economic potential, encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment.
* Ensure social inclusion, recognising that unity across ethnic and religious lines is foundational to sustainable growth.
By leveraging its geographic strengths, investing in human capital, and creating a transparent, investor-friendly environment, Sri Lanka can once again become a leading player in regional and global trade.
Economic Challenges
Sri Lanka’s development path is obstructed by a complex web of systemic challenges. An ongoing economic crisis—driven by high debt, poor fiscal discipline, and import dependency—has caused inflation, job losses, and currency depreciation. Political instability and inconsistent policymaking further undermine investor confidence and long-term planning.
Social divisions, rooted in a civil war that ended in 2009, continue to impact national unity. Additionally, youth unemployment and the outmigration of skilled workers are weakening the nation’s human capital. Environmental degradation through deforestation, pollution, and unregulated urbanisation threatens tourism, agriculture, and long-term resilience. Addressing these interconnected issues is essential to laying a foundation for economic recovery and sustainable progress.
A New National Vision
To become truly great, Sri Lanka must redefine development beyond GDP and infrastructure. A developed Sri Lanka should be:
* Economically strong, with robust industries in technology, tourism, agriculture, and services.
* Socially cohesive, where every citizen is treated equally and with dignity.
* Globally respected, as a democratic, peaceful, and environmentally responsible nation.
· Empowering to youth, offering them opportunities to succeed at home, not just abroad.
Foreign-to-Local Citizen Ratios
The Foreign-to-Local Citizen Ratio is more than just a demographic statistic — it serves as a valuable indicator of a country’s openness, safety, and attractiveness to the global community. A healthy ratio often reflects a nation’s ability to provide freedom, security, and economic opportunity to foreigners who visit, live, work, or invest. (See Table)
Foreign-to-Local Citizen Ratios
For example, Singapore’s 44% foreign-to-local ratio has supported its rise as a financial and innovation hub by filling labour gaps and driving productivity. While Sri Lanka’s 1.3% ratio reflects low foreign participation, strategic immigration and talent attraction could contribute to economic revitalisation.
Singapore, the UAE, and Germany have higher foreign-to-local ratios, signaling environments where international residents feel safe, welcomed, and empowered. These nations offer stable governance, clear legal frameworks, and strong institutions that attract foreign workers, investors, and entrepreneurs.
A favourable ratio also shows that a country:
* Ensures security and legal protection for foreigners.
* Provides infrastructure and services that support international living and business.
* Encourages foreign direct investment (FDI) and startup ecosystems by reducing red tape and fostering trust.
* Embraces cultural diversity, creating a dynamic and innovative society.
For Sri Lanka, improving its foreign-to-local ratio can boost its global reputation as a safe, business-friendly, and forward-looking nation. By creating an environment where foreigners feel confident to visit, reside, invest, and contribute, the country can unlock new economic opportunities and accelerate its journey toward sustainable development.
Economic Renewal
To make Sri Lanka great, a comprehensive strategy is required:
* Good Governance: Eliminate corruption, strengthen democratic institutions, and promote transparency and rule of law.
* Economic Transformation: Support local production, SMEs, and ethical foreign investment. Create a resilient, diversified, and export-oriented economy.
* Education and Skills: Modernise the education system to meet future job demands, especially in IT, engineering, tourism, and creative sectors. Expand vocational training to empower youth.
* Social Inclusion and Reconciliation: Promote national unity through inclusive governance, equal rights, and decentralis`ation to ensure all regions benefit from development.
* Environmental Sustainability: Invest in clean energy, eco-tourism, and sustainable agriculture. Protect forests, oceans, and heritage sites to maintain long-term economic and ecological balance.
* Fiscal and Institutional Reform: Improve tax systems, streamline public spending, and create a stable investment environment to manage debt and rebuild confidence.
* Knowledge Economy: Position Sri Lanka as a digital hub in South Asia by investing in R&D, digital infrastructure, and innovation ecosystems.
Conclusion
The country has the potential to follow the path of nations like South Korea, Japan, and Singapore — countries that transformed crisis into opportunity through strong leadership, national unity, and long-term reform. To achieve this, Sri Lanka must embrace good governance, invest in human capital, promote entrepreneurship, and prioritise sustainable development. The nation’s future greatness depends on bold economic transformation rooted in its unique strengths. With a clear vision, inclusive policies, and collective commitment, Sri Lanka can rise above its challenges and secure a peaceful, prosperous, and globally respected future.
Visvalingam Muralithas is a researcher in the legislative sector, specializing in policy analysis and economic research. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Economics at the University of Colombo, with a research focus on governance, development, and sustainable growth. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics (Honours) from the University of Jaffna and a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Colombo.
by Visvalingam Muralithas
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