Two books on Sri Lankan economy launched

The Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) and the Department of Economics and Statistics of the University of Peradeniya launched two Volumes on “Economic and Social Development under a Market Economy Regime” edited by Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director of the IPS and Dr. Dileni Gunawardena, Senior Lecturer of the University of Peradeniya. The Volumes were in honour of Professor Buddhadasa Hewavitharana, former Professor of Economics at the University of Peradeniya and former Chairman of the IPS.

Professor Sirimal Abeyratne, Head of the Department of Economics, University of Colombo,  Mr. W.A. Wijewardena, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, former Director-General of Economic Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat, UK, and Professor J. B. Dissanayake, former Professor of Sinhala, University of Peradeniya, reviewed selected chapters of the two Volumes.  Hon. Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation was the Chief Guest, while Prof. Wiswa Warnapala, former Minister of Higher Education and former student and colleague of Professor Hewavitharana at the University of Peradeniya  offered some insights on his association with  Professor Hewavitharana. The Authors to the Chapters received copies of the Volume from the Chief Guest. The event took place on Tuesday 03 April, at the Ramada Colombo.

From left: IPS Executive Director Dr. Saman Kelegama, Dr. Anoma Abeyratne, IPS Chairman Prof. W.D Lakshman, Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Emeritus Professor, University of Peradeniya and IPS former chairman Prof. Buddhadasa Hewavitharana, former Minister of Higher Education and Professor of Politiacl Science University of Peradeniya Prof. Wisva Warnapala and Peradeniya University Senior Lecturer Department of Economics and Statistics Dr. Dileni Gunewardena – Pic by Upul Abayasekara

Professor Hewavitharana served the University of Peradeniya for 44 years – of which   he served 19 years  as the Professor/Senior Professor of Economics as successor to Prof. H.A. de S. Gunasekara, making him the third Professor of Economics in the history of the University of Ceylon/Sri Lanka.  During that same period, he served as  the Head of the Department of Economics, Commerce and Statistics, administering the largest department of study in the university system in the country.  On his retirement, he was conferred the title of Emeritus Professor of Economics by the Senate of the University of Peradeniya.  His research interests have spread over a very wide range of issues, with practical engagements in policy making and development work.

The Festschrift that runs into two Volumes is an examination of the impact of the market economy regime on the economic and social development of Sri Lanka.  The 44 chapters running into 1250 pages in the two Volumes delve into many aspects of how the market economy regime that was introduced in 1977 impacted on various aspects of the economy such as economic growth, money and public finance, factor markets, the production sectors, and on society - social and cultural. The volumes are published by Vijitha Yapa Publications.