Prof. H.A de S. Gunasekera Memorial Oration is conducted by the department each year, in remembrance of the outstanding contributions made by Prof. H.A. de S. Gunasekara, the former Professor of Economics and Head of the Department of Economics of the then University of Ceylon. He succeeded Prof. Das Gupta to become the second occupant (and the first Sri Lankan occupant) of the Economics Chair in 1961. He also served as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Peradeniya (1963-1969) and later on as Secretary, Ministry of Planning (1970-1977) under Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. He was a much respected academic and public servant. A large number of his students have made outstanding contributions to both academic and public life in Sri Lanka and overseas. The reputed economists in Sri Lanka and abroad are invited to deliver speeches at this ceremonial occasion.

Prof. H.A de S. Gunasekera Memorial Oration 2025

The Professor H.A. de S. Gunasekera Memorial Oration 2025 was held on Friday, January 10th, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. in the Senate Room, University of Peradeniya. The oration was delivered by Sumanasiri Liyanage, Former Associate Professor, Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Peradeniya, on the topic, “Contingence, Conjuncture and Structure: The Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka: A Political Economy Critique.”

Professor H.A. de S. Gunasekera was the Professor of Economics and Head of the Department of Economics & Political Science at the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya. He succeeded Professor Das Gupta to become the second occupant of the Chair (and the first Sri Lankan) in the Department in 1961. He also served as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Peradeniya (1963–1969) and later as the Secretary of the Ministry of Planning (1970–1977) under Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. He was a highly respected academic and public servant. Many of his students have made significant contributions to both academic and public life in Sri Lanka and abroad.

Sumanasiri Liyanage is a senior scholar and researcher with expertise in Political Economy, Macroeconomics, Monetary Economics, and Development Economics. He retired from the University in 2013. After his retirement, he served as the Dean of the Sanasa Campus in Kegalle, Sri Lanka. He is also a writer, newspaper columnist, public speaker, and economic and political analyst.

The oration critically examined the validity of Prof. H.A. de S. Gunasekera's vision of political and economic development in Sri Lanka.

The event was jointly organized by the Department of Economics & Statistics, University of Peradeniya, and the Prof. H.A. de S. Gunasekera Memorial Trust Fund.

The oration was successfully held in 2018 with a valuable speech delivered by the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. W.A. Wijewardena.

Sri Lanka’s Economy at a Crossroads: The Way to Rescue the Ailing Economy W. A. Wijewardena President, BMS and former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka 4th December 2018 at Senate Room, University of Peradeniya

The Political Economy of Central Banking in Sri Lanka Prof. Sirimevan Colombage Professor Emeritus, Open University of Sri Lanka, and a former Director of the Central Bank 24th October 2017 at Senate Room, University of Peradeniya

World Financial Crises and Challenges to the Governance Structures of Central Banks Dr. Ranee Jayamaha Former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Sri Lanka 11th November 2016 at Senate Room, University of Peradeniya

Stress and Cancer: A Link through the Chinese Cultural Revolution By Tilak Abeysinghe Department of Economics, National University of Singapore 21st September 2015 at Senate Room, University of Peradeniya

International Migration and Development: Myths and Facts Dr. Piyasiri Wickramasekara Vice-President, Global Migration Policy Associates (GMPA), Geneva. (former Senior Migration Specialist, International Labour Office) 18th September 2014 at Senate Room, University of Peradeniya

Sri Lanka’s Post-conflict Development Challenge: Learning from the Past Prof. Premachandra Athukorala Arndt-Corden Department of Economics, College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University 12th July 2013 at Senate Room, University of Peradeniya

Exchange Rate as a Policy Instrument - A Critical Evaluation of Sri Lankan Experience Deshamanya Prof. W.D. Lakshman Chair of Economics in the Dept of Economics, Dean/Faculty of Graduate Studies (1992-94) and Vice Chancellor (1994-99) in the University of Colombo 29th May 2012 at Senate Room, University of Peradeniya

Note: You may read the eBooks of the above Orations from our e-Library