Annual Sessions- 2014

Sri Lanka Economic Association

It has been customary for the Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA) to conduct its Annual Sessions on a Theme relevant to an economic issue critical to the country. Accordingly SLEA has selected GDP as a Measure of Quality of Life of a People as the Theme of this year’s Annual Sessions. The Gross Domestic Product at constant prices or Real GDP is generally accepted as a measure of growth and development.  GDP is one of the most frequently used and popular concepts in economic literature, debate and discussion. Notwithstanding the above, the GDP measure may be distorted to mislead and misinterpret the real situation or scenario of an economy.  The distortion may emerge at any point from its calculation to its ultimate use. Economists have begun to question the methods of its measurement and conceptual significance, its relevance at current market prices and its ability to express inequality, disparity, poverty and welfare. In Sri Lanka, there is already a dialogue on these concerns. However, it seems to be confined to a selected few.  In this background, the chosen theme for this year’s SLEA Annual Sessions, GDP as a Measure of Quality of Life of a People assumes a particular relevance and significance.

SLEA has succesfully conducted its planned Annual Sessions which was a fruitful forum for policy makers, economic researchers and academics representing both public and private sectors on the  reality and myth of this measure as well as  GDP in general.  The discussed four Technical Sessions under the following sub-themes:

TECHNICAL SESSIONS -  Saturday 25th October 2014  

 Technical Session I  - GDP  & Its Nature and  Significance

 Chairperson       -Dr. Upananda Vidanapathirana

 Speakers:          -Prof. Athula Ranasinghe, Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo

                          -Ven. Prof. W. Wimalaratana, Head, Department of Economics, University of Colombo  

 Panelist:             -Dr. M. Ganeshamoorthy, Senior Lecturer, University of Colombo

   Technical Session II -Measurement of GDP and its Limitations

 Chairperson       -Dr. Nimal Sanderatne

 Speakers:          -Mr. D.C.A. Gunawardhana, Director General, Department of Census & Statistics

                         -Dr.  Priyanga Dunusinghe, Senior Lecturer, University of Colombo

 Panelist:          -Dr. S.P. Premaratna, Senior Lecturer, University of Colombo

  Technical Session III -Doubling Per Capita Income as a Target

 Chairperson       -Mr. Hemaka Amarasuriya

Speakers:           -Mr. W. A  Wijewardane, Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka

                         -Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Deputy  Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka

 Panelist:            - Prof. Sirimal Abeyratna, Professor in Economics, University of Colombo

  Technical Session IV -GDP Growth and Development

 Chairperson         -Dr. Lloyd Fernando     

 Speakers:            -Prof. H.D. Karunaratna, Professor in Economics, University of Colombo

                           –Dr. Saman  Kelegama, Executive Director, Institute of Policy Studies

 Panelist:              -Dr.(Mrs.) Anila Dias Bandaranaike, Formerly Assistant Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka