Director of Trade Facilitation & Information
Qualifications
- PhD in Economics (University of Colombo)
- Masters in Economics -Two-year research degree (University of Colombo)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Development (University of Colombo)
- Bachelor of Business Administration (USA)
Professional Qualifications
- International Monetary Fund (IMF Institute) – Macroeconomic Diagnostics, Macro Econometric Forecasting using E-Views, Macroeconomic Statistics
- Central Bank of Sri Lanka - Applied Econometrics
- International Trade Centre (ITC) - Advocacy and Trade Policy Reform
- Charted Institute of Management Accounting (CIMA) – Certificate in Business Accounting
Honors and Awards
- PhD Full Research Scholarship Award – National Science Foundation
Book Publication
- Rathnasekara, S. “Trade Openness, Foreign Direct Investments and Export Diversification of Sri Lanka (1948 – 2015)”, Department of Economics, University of Colombo 2021.
Journal Publications
- Rathnasekara, S. “Evaluation of Trade and Investment Policy Reforms in Sri Lanka”, Sri Lanka Journal of Social Sciences, 2022. (DOI: 10.4038/sljss.v45i1.8264)
- Rathnasekara, S. “Determinants of Export Diversification & Probability to Diversify Exports by Sri Lankan Exporters: An Ordered Probit Analysis at Firm Level”, Sri Lanka Economic Journal, 2020
Research Articles
- Rathnasekara, S. & Gunaratne, N, “A Review of Sri Lankan Black Pepper & Current Price Fluctuations”, Trade and Productivity Commission Secretariat, Sri Lanka. 2020
- Rathnasekara, S. & Gunaratne, N, “Cashew in Sri Lanka: A Priority Industry Identified to Strengthen as a Globally Competitive Domestic Industry in line with the Extensive Policy Framework for Industrial Support Program, Trade and Productivity Commission Secretariat, Sri Lanka. 2020
- Rathnasekara, S. & Gunaratne, N, “ Cinnamon in Sri Lanka: A Priority Industry Identified to Strengthen as a Globally Competitive Domestic Industry in line with the Extensive Policy Framework for Industrial Support Program, Trade and Productivity Commission Secretariat, Sri Lanka. 2019
- Rathnasekara, S. "An analysis on Exports of High Technology Products for Economic Growth of Sri Lanka" Export Development Board, Sri Lanka. 2015
- Rathnasekara, S. "Working towards a National Definition for Hi Tech", Innovation Eye, Coordinating Secretariat for Science Technology and Innovation. Vol. 1, No.3 November 2014 (pp 10 - 11).
- Rathnasekara, S. "Exploring Opportunities in the Chinese Market for Sri Lanka Exports", Export Development Board, Sri Lanka. 2014.
- Rathnasekara, S. "An Analysis of the Kenyan Economy as a Strategically Important Export Market for Sri Lanka", Export Development Board, Sri Lanka. 2014.
- Rathnasekara, S. "Factors Contributing to the High Export Performance of Vietnam, Pakistan and Bangladesh", Export Development Board, Sri Lanka. 2014.
- Rathnasekara, S. "Analysis on European Union sanction on Russian Market and some Implications from Sri Lankas Point of view", Export Development Board, Sri Lanka. 2014.
- Rathnasekara, S. "Exploring opportunities in the South African Market for Sri Lankas Exports", Export Development Board, Sri Lanka. 2013.
- Rathnasekara, S. "Analysis of the Brazil Economy as a Potential Export Destination for Sri Lanka", Export Development Board, Sri Lanka. 2013.
Experience
- Over 16 years of service in the capacities of Deputy Director, Assistant Director at EDB, Policy Manager at the Trade and Productivity Commission Secretariat and in Academic field.
Work Area
Assisting exporters to achieve trade efficiency by trade facilitation, resolving export related issues faced by exporters (Exporters’ Forum), providing advisory services, operating the scheme of registration of exporters, organizing and conducting training programmes on international trade, provision of trade information service for improving export performance by maintaining trade related data bases, maintaining an up-to-date business library facility, packaging development and training, publications, coordinating seminars and participating at exhibitions, liaise and coordinate the functions of the National Packaging Centre.
