Gamani Corea Foundation

From smartphones to online banking and digital government services, technology is quietly changing everyday life in Sri Lanka. However, the full size of the country’s digital economy—and its potential to boost growth, innovation, and long-term development—is still not completely understood.
The digital economy is especially important for Sri Lanka because it supports the country’s goal of achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as reducing poverty, improving agriculture, and increasing education levels. According to the DIGIECON 2030 project by the Ministry of Technology (2023), the government aims to increase the digital economy’s contribution to the country’s total income from 4% to 15% by 2030. This is part of a broader plan to build a knowledge-based economy. To support this, Sri Lanka needs a better way to measure the digital economy so policymakers can design effective strategies and ensure the country keeps up with global digital trends. This paper introduces a method to estimate the size of Sri Lanka’s digital economy by looking at how different industries contribute to it. It uses three approaches.
This study is a GCF funded research, and can be accessed below: https://shorturl.at/sxvE6

The SLEA invites researchers, academics, professionals, and industry
practitioners to submit abstracts for the Annual International Conference 2026 of the Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA) , which will be held on 27th and 28th November 2026, under the theme “Paving the Way for Sri Lanka’s Knowledge Economy.”
The authors of selected abstracts will be invited for presentation of their full papers at the conference.

A recent study on Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness examined how the country compares with Asian economies, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam during the period 2007–2023.

The research explored a key question:
“What are the main factors affecting Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness, and how does the country compare with its regional trading partners?”

The findings show that Sri Lanka continues to face major structural challenges such as low productivity, inflation volatility, weak institutional conditions, and limited export diversification. These issues have reduced the country’s ability to compete effectively in global markets.

Using estimates of the Composite Export Competitiveness Index (CECI), the study found that broader economic stability, labour productivity, and export performance are the strongest drivers of competitiveness. The research also examined sector-specific strengths using the analytical methods of international trade and identified eleven promising sectors with strong potential for targeted development and policy support.

The study further analyzed how factors such as governance, trade policy, productivity, and institutional quality influence export performance across the region. Sri Lanka’s performance was benchmarked against successful export-oriented economies in South and Southeast Asia to identify lessons and policy insights that could support future growth.

The research recommends a dual-track policy approach focused on:
• improving macroeconomic stability,
• increasing labour productivity,
• strengthening trade and institutional frameworks,
• upgrading industries and export sectors, and
• improving Sri Lanka’s integration into regional and global trade networks.

Overall, the study highlights the importance of export-led growth as a national priority for Sri Lanka’s long-term economic resilience, industrial development, and global competitiveness.

This study is a GCF funded research, and can be accessed below: https://shorturl.at/GY7Tk

The Gamani Corea Foundation is hiring!
Please refer the following for more details

The Gamani Corea Foundation and the Sri Lanka Economic Association hosts seminar to explore new ideas for Sri Lanka’s future, expertly framed by Central Bank Deputy Governor Dr. Chandranath Amarasekara

Economists chart Sri Lanka’s next steps as global shocks test reform path | Daily FT Sri Lanka’s post-crisis recovery is entering a more difficult phase as policymakers, economists and businesses attempt to preserve stability amid rising geopolitical tensions, volatile energy markets and growing uncertainty in the global economy. Setting the tone and dining the scope of a recent s...

The public lecture, Sri Lanka's Current Macroeconomic Policy Directions in the Context of Global Volatility, took place on May 8th.
Dr. Chandranath Amarasekara, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank delivered the key note address.
The GCF thanks all those who attended the event.

The SLEA invites researchers, academics, professionals, and industry
practitioners to submit abstracts for the Annual International Conference 2026 of the Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA) , which will be held on 27th and 28th November 2026, under the theme “Paving the Way for Sri Lanka’s Knowledge Economy.”

The authors of selected abstracts will be invited for presentation of their full papers at the conference.

The second phase of the GCF Grant Awards, 2025-26 took place at the Gamani Corea Foundation, this morning.
The GCF congratulates all recipients.