Kanishka Werawella

I am a Lecturer in Economics at the Department of Economics, University of Colombo, and a Researcher affiliated with Verité Research, Sri Lanka. Prior to joining the department, I earned an MSc in Economics from the University of Warwick as a Commonwealth Scholar and a BA in Economics from the University of Colombo.

My teaching focuses on Microeconomics, Econometrics, Labor Economics, and Development. My research interests lie at the intersection of labor economics, gender, and development, particularly in developing country contexts like Sri Lanka. A key challenge in these settings is the persistently low female labor market participation, which hampers economic growth and development. I aim to investigate the factors influencing women’s and households’ decisions to engage in the labor market, as well as explore policy interventions that could enhance female labor market performances.

In addition to my academic work, I am a podcast communicator for "Heat Dawasa" (හෙට දවස), a weekly podcast by the Advocata Institute, where I discuss current economic issues in Sri Lanka in Sinhala. This platform allows me to engage with the public on pressing economic matters and contribute to the national discourse. The Heta Dawasa podcast is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podcast Addict.

I have also collaborated with prominent policy think tanks in Sri Lanka, including the Institute of Policy Studies, Advocata Institute, and the Center for Poverty Analysis. These collaborations have enriched my experience in economic research and deepened my understanding of the local economic landscape.