Sri Lanka Economic Association Annual Sessions 2018

18-19 January 2019 at Auditorium of the Center for Banking Studies, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka

IMPACT OF GLOBALIZATION ON  SRI LANKAN ECONOMY: Challenges and Opportunities

Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA), since its inception, conducts Annual Sessions on themes most vital, in the contemporary times, to economic growth and development of the country. This year, SLEA decided to reflect upon the economic liberalization process of Sri Lanka which was initiated in the late 1970’s as her key economic policy reforms.  SLEA believes that it is timely now, that an attempt is made to deliberate on the results of economic liberalisation program in the context of emerging new trends in globalisation.  Such an assessment would undoubtedly help policy makers to understand the magnitude of future challenges and to prepare themselves for timely intervention to ensure optimising opportunities of the globalisation process. 
Objectives of the Seminar

This year’s Annual Sessions would provide a wider forum for policy makers, public officials, academics and economic researchers of both public and private sectors to debate, discuss and analyze issues, challenges and future prospects of economic liberalization and globalization.

Towards this end, there will be five Technical Sessions on different sub themes.

SLEA Annual Sessions 2018 -Technical sessions  January 16, 2019

Session I – Setting the Stage -Chairman: Dr. Nimal Sandaratne

Speakers:  Liberalization and globalization: Case of Sri Lanka - Prof. W. D. Lakshman 

Sri Lankan Economy and Liberalization: Successes, Failures and Challenges ahead - Dr.  Ganeshan Wignaraja

Discussant: Dr.  Sarath Rajapatirana

Session II – Services Sector and Trade Agreements -  Chairman: Mr. Asoka Peiris

Speakers: Performance of the Service Sector – Prof.  Sirimal Abeyratne 

Service Sector and Regional Corporation –  Dr. Dushni Weerakoon

Migration as an Economic Stimulant: Achievements& Challenges –  Prof.  H. D. Karunaratne

Discussant Ms. W. A. Dilrukshini

Session III – Human Capital   - Chairman: Mr. Dinesh Weerakkody

Speakers:  Trends in Population in Sri Lanka –  Prof. Indralal de Silva 

Reforming Education to optimize the benefits of Globalization-  Dr. Harsha Aturupane 

Poverty, Nutrition and Inequality –  Prof. Dileni Gunawardane 

Human Capital: Private Sector Perspective – Mr. Samantha Ranatunga

Discussants: Dr. Nisha Arunathilake  Dr. Seetha Bandara