Forum of University Economists hold conference
The 5th International Conference of Sri Lanka Forum of University Economists (SLFUE); Sri Lanka Economics Research Conference (SLERC) 2016 was held under the chairmanship of the Department of Economics, at the Social Sciences auditorium of the University of Kelaniya, on the 22nd and 23rd of December 2016.
The theme of the conference was “A Paradigm Shift of Thoughts and Policies: The Need of the Hour for Developing Economies” for which the inauguration ceremony was held on the 22nd of December 2016 graced by the chief guest, Dr. Sarath Rajapathirana the Economic Advisor to the President, the keynote speaker Dr. S. M. Punchibanda, the Senior Advisor and Consultant for Agriculture and Rural Development/JICA and the guest of honour Senior Professor Sunanda Madduma Bandara, the Vice Chancellor of University of Kelaniya.
The inauguration ceremony was followed by a panel discussion based on ‘Economic Development Planning in Sri Lanka: Lessons learnt and the Way Forward’ chaired by Professor W. D. Lakshman, Professor Emeritus, University of Colombo and the panellists; Dr. Lloyd Fernando the Program Director of Public Policy, Postgraduate Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Dr. Harsha Aturupane, Senior Economist and Lead Education Specialist, World Bank Sri Lanka and Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
The 20th meeting of SLFUE was held simultaneously to the sessions of the conference held on the 23rd of December which was held at the Social Sciences Faculty Boardroom of the Kelaniya University where Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan of the Department of Economics, University of Colombo, a founder member of SLFUE was honoured and appreciated for his five years of commitment and dedication towards developing the SLFUE.