Research Staff

A highly qualified team of economists and policy analysts drives IPS’ core research across diverse fields, including macroeconomy, trade, labour, migration, agriculture, food security, health, education, poverty, social welfare, environment, and climate change.

The research staff provide rigorous analysis to inform national policy, produce evidence‑based publications, and engage in dialogue with stakeholders, ensuring IPS remains at the forefront of independent policy research in Sri Lanka.

Dr Nisha Arunatilake
Dr Nisha Arunatilake
Director of Research
BSc (University of South U.S.A.), MA, PhD (Duke)
Dr Ganga Tilakaratna
Dr Ganga Tilakaratna
Research Fellow
BA (Manchester), MPhil (Cantab), PhD (Manchester)
Dr Bilesha Weeraratne
Dr Bilesha Weeraratne
Research Fellow
BA (Colombo), MA (Rutgers), PhD (CUNY)
Dr Manoj Thibbotuwawa
Dr Manoj Thibbotuwawa
Research Fellow
BSc (Peradeniya), MSc (Peradeniya), PhD (Western Australia)
Dr Asanka Wijesinghe
Dr Asanka Wijesinghe
Research Fellow
BSc (Peradeniya), MS (North Dakota State), PhD (Ohio State)
Dr Erandathie Pathiraja
Dr Erandathie Pathiraja
Research Fellow
BSc (Peradeniya), MPhil (Peradeniya), PhD (Melbourne)
Dr Lakmini Fernando
Dr Lakmini Fernando
Research Fellow
BSc (Peradeniya), MDevEcon (Queensland), PhD (Adelaide)
Dr Pulasthi Amarasinghe
Dr Pulasthi Amarasinghe
Research Fellow
BSc (Maryland), MSc (Iowa), PhD (UNC-Chapel Hill)
Priyanka Jayawardena
Priyanka Jayawardena
Research Economist
BSc (Colombo), MEcon (Colombo)
Sunimalee Madurawala
Sunimalee Madurawala
Research Economist
BA (Colombo), MEcon (Colombo)
Dilani Hirimuthugodage
Dilani Hirimuthugodage
Research Economist
BSc (Colombo), MEcon (Colombo)
Usha Perera
Usha Perera
Research Officer
PhD candidate on study leave (Lancaster University), BA (Colombo), MSc (Leeds)
Suresh Ranasinghe
Suresh Ranasinghe
Research Officer
PhD candidate on study leave (Nottingham Trent), MSc (Nottingham), BA (Colombo), LLB (O.U.S.L.), AAL
Himani Vithanage
Himani Vithanage
Research Officer
Master's student on study leave (University of Oxford, UK), BA (Colombo), BSc (LSE)
Chaya Dissanayake
Chaya Dissanayake
Research Officer
Master's student on study leave (University College London), BSc (Jaffna)
Sulochana Silva
Sulochana Silva
Research Officer
BSc (Peradeniya)
Chandula Idirisinghe
Chandula Idirisinghe
Research Officer
PhD candidate on study leave (University of Guelph), BSc (Peradeniya), MS (Peradeniya)
Nishamini Ihalagedera
Nishamini Ihalagedera
Research Officer
BSc (Peradeniya), MS (Peradeniya)
Rashmi Anupama
Rashmi Anupama
Research Assistant
BSc (Rajarata)
Yashora Gunawardana
Yashora Gunawardana
Research Assistant
BA (Sabaragamuwa)
Dinithi Athulathmudali
Dinithi Athulathmudali
Research Assistant
Master's student on study leave (University of Oxford, UK), BA (Colombo)
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