Erandathie Pathiraja is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) with research interests in the analysis of industries and markets, competitiveness and SMEs. She also serves as a member of the teaching panel of the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture at the University of Peradeniya.
Her recent research experience is in the application of economic models of industries to predict the impacts of changes in government policies and production technologies. She is also interested in the links between the competitive structure of markets and the distribution of the benefits of technical change along industry value chains.
Her previous engagements are as a senior agricultural economist and agricultural economist at the Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka, and as an agricultural economist working in research projects funded by the World Bank and the ADB. She has also served as the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Agricultural Economics Association.
Erandathie holds a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Peradeniya, an MPhil in Agricultural Economics from the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, and a PhD in Agricultural Economics from The University of Melbourne, Australia.
Pathiraja, E., Wijethunga, C., and Sooriyakumar, K. (2021). Measuring Competitiveness of Agricultural Markets. In Weerahewa, J. and Jacque, A. (Eds.), Agricultural Policy Analysis: Concepts and Tools for Emerging Economies (pp.129-180) Springer. https://link.springer.com/book/9789811632839.
Weerahewa, J., Dissanayake, S. and Pathiraja, E. (2021). Import of Foodstuffs and Agricultural Raw Materials to Sri Lanka: An Analysis of Trend, Patterns and Potential Effects on the Economy. In Senaratne, R. (Eds.), The Future of the Agriculture and The Agriculture of the Future: From Beaten Track to Untrodden Paths (pp. pp.31-63) ©Ranjith Senaratne.
Abeysekara, M. G. D., Prasada, D. V. P. and Pathiraja, P. M. E. K. (2020). Equilibrium Relations in the Coconut Sector: An Analysis of Fresh Nut, Oil and Desiccated Coconut Market in Sri Lanka for the Period 1956-2017. Tropical Agricultural Research, 31(1), pp.1–12. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/tar.v31i1.8339.
Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Griffith, G. R., Farquharson, R. J. and Faggian, R. (2019). The Cost of Climate Change to Agricultural Industries: Coconuts in Sri Lanka, International Journal on Food Systems Dynamics 10(5), 428-457.
Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Griffith, G. R., Farquharson, R. J., Faggian, R., Idirisinghe, I. M. S. K., Abeysekara, M. G. D. and Subasinghe, S. D. J. N. (2018). Trade as an Option for Managing the Impacts of Supply Risks in Coconut Production: Importation of Dehusked Coconuts, Copra and Kernel. Sri Lankan Journal of Agricultural Economics, 2(2):1-25.
Pathiraja, E., Griffith, G., Farquharson, B. and Faggian R. (2017). The Economic Cost of Climate Change and the Benefits from Investments in Adaptation Options for Sri Lankan Coconut Value Chains. International Journal on Food System Dynamics, 460-485. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.18461/pfsd.2017.1746.
Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Griffith, G. R., Farquharson, R. J., and Faggian, R. (2017). Specifying and Testing an Equilibrium Displacement Model of the Coconut Market in Sri Lanka. Australasian Agribusiness Review, 25.
Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Griffith, G. R., Farquharson, R. J., and Faggian, R. (2015). The Sri Lankan Coconut Industry: Current Status and Future Prospects in a Changing Climate. Australasian Agribusiness Perspectives, 23.
Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Jayasinghe-Mudalige, U. K., Wijessekera, H. T. R., and Appuhamy, P. A. H. N. A. F., L.C.P. (2013). Incidence of “Weligama Leaf Wilt” and “Leaf Rot” Diseases in Southern Sri Lanka. In H. P. M. Gunasena, Gunathilake, H. A. J., Fernando, L. C. P., Everard, J. M. D. T. and Appuhamy, P. A. H. N. (Ed.), Weligama Coconut Leaf Wilt Disease: Six Years After (pp. 75-85). Lunuwila: Coconut Research Institute (ISBN 978-955-9013-10-5).
Weerawardena, W. P. T. D., Jayasinghe-Mudalige, U. K., Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Jayalath, K. V. N. N. (2013). Coconut Land Fragmentation in Sri Lanka: An Inquiry into the Potential Moral Hazard Behaviour of Landowners Seeking Approval. COCOS, The Journal of the Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka. 20: 39-48.
Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Fernando, M. T. N., Abeysekra, A. W. A. D. R. and Subasinghe, S. D. J. N. (2010). An Assessment of Labour Availability in Major Coconut Growing Areas in the Coconut Triangle, COCOS, The Journal of the Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka. 19: 13-26.
Jayalath, K. V. N. N., Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Jayasinghe, U. K., Fernando, M. T. N. (2010), An Empirical Investigation of the Effect of Size of Land of Coconut Cultivation in Sri Lanka on its Productivity, COCOS, The Journal of the Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka. PP 67-75.
Jayalath, K. V. N. N., Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Jayasinghe-Mudalige, U. K., Subasinghe, S. D. J. N. and Weerasinghe, W. G. P., (2009). ‘Quest for Better Technology: Case of Brown Coir Fiber Industry in Sri Lanka’. CORD, International Journal on Coconut Research and Development, Asia and Pacific Coconut Community, Jakarta, Indonesia 25(2): 24-34.
Bandara, B. M. D. P. and U. K. Jayasinghe-Mudalige, K. V. N. N. Jayalath and P. M. E. K. Pathiraja (2009), Assessing the Impact of Exchange Rate Volatility on Agricultural Exports: Case of Desiccated Coconut Industry in Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Journal of Applied Statistics, 10: 105 – 118.
Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Fernando, M. T. N., Jayasundera, J. M. M. A., (2008). Processing of Virgin Coconut Oil in Sri Lanka Using Cold Extraction Method: A Break-even Price Analysis. CORD, International Journal on Coconut Research and Development, Asia and Pacific Coconut Community, Jakarta, Indonesia 24(1): 79-89.
Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Fernando, M. T. N., Abeysekera, A. W. A. D. R., (2005). ‘Economics of Monthly Picking viz a viz Bimonthly Picking of Coconuts: An Economic Analysis’. The Planter, Magazine of the Incorporated Society of Planters, Malaysia 83:329-334.
Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Faggian, R., Farquharson, R. J., and Griffith, G.R. (2019). ‘Impact of Climate Change on Coconut Production in Different Agro-ecological Regions of Sri Lanka’. In: Proceedings of the Seventh Symposium on Plantation Crop Research – Towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in the Plantation Sector. November 4-6, Marino Beach Hotel, Colombo. (Eds. V. H. L. Rodrigo, B. W. Wijesuriya, D. G. Edirisinghe and N. M. C. Nayanakantha). Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Dartonfield, Agalawatte (79-94 pp).
Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Griffith, G. R., Farquharson, R. J., and Faggian, R. (2017, February 13-17). ‘The Economic Cost of Climate Change and the Benefits from Investments in Adaptation Options for Sri Lankan Coconut Value Chains’. Paper presented at the 11th International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria.
Pathiraja, P.M.E.K., Griffith, G.R., Farquharson, R.J., Faggian, R., Idirisinghe, I.M.S.K., Abeysekara, M.G.D. and Subasinghe, S.D.J.N. (2019). ‘Economic Viability of Agro-based Industries in the Presence of Climatic Risk: Is Importation of Fresh Coconuts an Option for the Sri Lankan Coconut Industry?’. First International Conference on Emerging Scenario in Agribusiness, Indian Institute of Plantation Management, Bengaluru, India, March 21-22, 2019.
Samarajeewa, A.N.S.M, Pathiraja, P.M.E.K. and Malkanthi, S.H.P. (2017). ‘Evaluation of Current Status of Desiccated Coconut Producers in Sri Lanka: Abstract’. Sri Lanka Agricultural Economics Association, 11th Undergraduate Research Forum, Hotel Oakray Regencies, Getambe, Peradeniya. 13 January, 2018.
Idirisinghe, I.M.S.K., Abeysekara, M.G.D., Jayalath, K. V. N. N. and Pathiraja, P. M. E. K. (2018, March 10). Organic coconut industry in Sri Lanka and its value chain: Standard value chain analysis approach.
Idirisinghe, I. M. S. K., Abeysekara, M. G. D., Jayalath, K. V. N. N. and Pathiraja, P. M. E. K. (2018, March 10). ‘Organic Coconut Industry in Sri Lanka and its Value Chain: Standard Value Chain Analysis Approach’. Proceedings of the 1st National Symposium on Sustainable Plantation Management (NSSPM) (56-66). NIPM, Athurugiriya, Sri Lanka.
Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Farquharson, R. J., Griffith, G. R., and Faggian, R. (2013). ‘The Economic Impact of Climate Change on Perennial Crops: Assessing the Impact of Coconut Industry in Sri Lanka’. Melbourne School of Land and Environment 11th Postgraduate Research Conference. University of Melbourne Dookie Campus, Australia, 30 October-1 November, 2013.
Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Jayasinghe-Mudalige, U. K., Wijessekera, H. T. R., Appuhamy, P. A. H. N. and Fernando, L. C. P. (2010). ‘Incidence of “Weligama Leaf Wilt” and “Leaf Rot” Diseases in Southern Sri Lanka’. In: Proceedings of the Third Symposium on Plantation Crop Research – Stakeholder Empowerment through Technological Advances. (Eds. Dharmakeerthi, R.S. and Senevirathna, A.M.W.K.). Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 30 September – 01 October 2010.
Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Fernando, M. T. N., Idirisinghe, I. M. S. K., and Subasinghe, S. D. J. N. (2007). ‘Exploring the Potential for Home-gardening of Coconuts in Urban and Semi-urban Areas of Sri Lanka – A Case Study’. Paper presented at the Sri Lanka Agricultural Economics Association 1st Research Forum, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 21 September 2007.
Pathiraja, P. M. E. K., Idirisinghe, I. M. S. K., Vithanaarachchi, V. A. R. P., Priyankara, G. G. D. S., Subasinghe, S. D. J. N., (2006). ‘Evaluation of Samurdhi Coconut Cultivation Development Programme 2005’. 63rd Research Forum of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2007.