Profile and Achievements

• Master of Science in Economics and International Financial Economics; Merit (2021 - 2022)

University of Warwick, United Kingdom

• • Dissertation (Distinction): Employment Effects of Introducing a Minimum Wage: The Case of Sri Lanka - A Quasi-Natural Experiment with Difference in Difference Estimation

• Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics, First Class 

University of Colombo (2016 – 2020)

• Dissertation (A+): Estimating Cost of Traffic Congestion and Identifying the Factors Affecting to People’s Transport Mode Choice in Kandy City

• Lecturer (Probationary) 

Department of Economics, University of Colombo 

• Year 2023/24 (Semester I); ECN 3145: Introduction to Econometrics, ECN 3161: Monetary Economics, ECN 4197: Labour Economics

• Year 2023/24 (Semester II); ECN 2218: Microeconomic Analysis, ECN 3255: Econometric Analysis, ECN 4288: Panel Data Analysis

• Year 2024/25 (Semester I); ECN 3161: Monetary Economics, ECN 4197: Labour Economics

• Senior Research Analyst 

Verite Research 

• Care Economies in Context - Sri Lankan Team

• Secretary, Arts Faculty Teachers’ Association (AFTA - CU) (August 2023 –November 2023)

University of Colombo 

• Secretary, Abstract Review Committee (August 2023 –November 2023)

9th International Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Colombo 

• Member, Ethics Review Committee for Social Sciences and Humanities (January 2024 –January 2025)

Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo 

• Visiting Lecturer (October 2023 - April 2024)

University of London, International Program, Royal Institute Colombo 

• • Year 2023/24; EC 2020: Elements of Econometrics, EC 2066: Microeconomics

• Research Analyst (October 2022 –June 2023)

Advocata Institute 

• Temporary Assistant Lecturer (November 2020 –August 2021)

Department of Economics, University of Colombo 

• Research Assistant (February 2020 –November 2020)

Migration and Urbanization Unit, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka 

1. Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (2021)

I was awarded the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship to pursue my MSc in Economics and International Financial Economics at the University of Warwick, UK. This prestigious scholarship supports exceptional candidates from lower middle-income Commonwealth countries, enabling them to carry out master's studies in UK universities. Through this opportunity, I deepened my expertise in economics, focusing on global financial systems and policy challenges, while benefiting from Warwick's renowned academic environment.

As part of the program, I completed my dissertation titled "Employment Effects of Introducing a Minimum Wage: The Case of Sri Lanka - A Quasi-Natural Experiment with Difference-in-Difference Estimation", which earned a distinction. This research analyzed the labor market outcomes of minimum wage policy in Sri Lanka, utilizing a difference-in-difference estimation to assess its impact on employment, contributing important insights into labor economics and policy evaluation in developing countries.

Links:

• Welcome Session Organized by the British Council for the Returning Batch of Sri Lankan Commonwealth Scholars (The Island), (The Sunday Times) & (ADA Derana Business)

2. Mahbub Ul Haq & Amartya Sen Best Research Paper Award (2020)

I received the Mahbub Ul Haq & Amartya Sen Best Research Paper Award at the 16th South Asian Economics Students’ Meet (SAESM) 2020, where my paper was recognized as the overall best of the best among the top papers from ten different themes. Each theme featured one best paper selected from a highly competitive process in which ten participants from each South Asian country competed. My paper, titled "Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emission of Transport through the Management of Traffic Congestion: Transport Mode Choice Analysis and Willingness to Pay Analysis in Kandy City," addressed critical issues related to environmental sustainability and urban transport management. This prestigious event was organized by the Central Department of Economics, Tribhuvan University, in collaboration with the World Bank.

Links:

• SAESM newsletter

• Article on the website of the Department of Economics, University of Colombo

• Newspaper articles (Daily News), (Daily FT), & (The Sunday Times)

• TV appearances (SLRC)

3. Best Research Paper Award - Theme: "Actions for Climate Change,"  (2020)

At the 16th South Asian Economics Students’ Meet (SAESM) 2020, I was awarded the Best Research Paper under the theme of "Actions for Climate Change." My paper, titled "Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emission of Transport through the Management of Traffic Congestion: Transport Mode Choice Analysis and Willingness to Pay Analysis in Kandy City," was recognized for its contribution to sustainable urban transport solutions. This award was presented after a competitive selection process, where I represented Sri Lanka among seven undergraduates from South Asian countries. The event was organized by the Central Department of Economics, Tribhuvan University, in collaboration with the World Bank.

4. Prof. Tilak Hettiarachchi Award for Academic Excellence – Gold Medal (2020)

I was honored with the Prof. Tilak Hettiarachchi Award for Academic Excellence at the General Convocation of the University of Colombo. This prestigious award is presented to the top-performing undergraduate in both academics and research, selected from over 10,000 students across nine faculties. It represents the highest accolade an undergraduate can achieve at the University of Colombo in recognition of outstanding academic and research performance.

5.  Most Outstanding Student - Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo (2020)

I was awarded the title of Most Outstanding Student of the Faculty of Arts at the General Convocation of the University of Colombo for my overall performance in the Faculty of Arts. This distinction, presented to one student out of nearly 1,000 undergraduates, is the highest accolade an Arts Faculty student can achieve, recognizing exceptional achievement in academics, research, and extracurricular activities.

6.  Munasinghe Institute for Development (MIND) Scholarship (2018)

I was awarded the Munasinghe Institute for Development (MIND) Scholarship in 2018, recognizing exceptional undergraduates from Sri Lankan universities. This scholarship provided an opportunity to deepen my understanding of key issues related to Sustainable Development, fostering my awareness and commitment to addressing global challenges in sustainability and development policy.

3. Youth Research Fellowship

I was awarded the Youth Research Fellowship by the Center for Poverty Analysis (CEPA) to contribute to a flagship publication titled Co-creating Alternative Narratives: Mobilizing Youth for Social Change, funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). In collaboration with my colleagues Hiranyada Dewasiri and Tharinda Mallawarachchi, I produced a book chapter titled "Ragging and Its Hidden Violence: A Study on Ragging in the Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo." This study examines the ongoing prevalence of ragging in Sri Lankan state universities, despite the prohibition established by Act No. 20 of 1998. Through an analysis of parliamentary debates, student interviews, and surveys conducted at the Faculty of Arts, we identified critical gaps in understanding the violence associated with ragging and highlighted how various power dynamics reinforce structural violence. Our findings suggest that the sympathetic approach toward 'mild ragging' undermines efforts to address the broader issue of violence in educational institutions.

Links:

• The publication is available here.