Prof. Amaratunge first ever Senior Professor (Chair) of Business Economics at J’pura

Senior Professor Sampath Amaratunge became the Senior Professor (Chair) of Business Economics, at the Department of Business Economics, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ). 

Professor  Sampath Amaratunge

He is currently serving as the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Sri Lanka. Prior to his appointment as the Chairman of UGC he held the position of Vice-Chancellor of USJ. He also served as the Dean, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, USJ and as the Head of the Department of Business Economics, USJ for several years. 

Prof. Amaratunge is one of the founding members of the Department of Business Economics and has been a pillar of strength throughout the successful journey of the department. His leadership in the positions of the Head of the Department as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies has paved the path for many academic achievements within the department as well as in the entire University. As a lecturer he strived to mould the young graduates to excel in their studies while enhancing their soft skills and personality.  He emphasised the value of research and the importance of industry linkage throughout his tenure.

Prof. Amaratunge completed a B.A. in Economics (Special) at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and went on to complete his higher studies at the University of Colombo and Japan where he respectively completed an M.A. in Economics (Colombo); an MSc in Economics of Rural Development (Saga, Japan) and a PhD. (Kagoshima, Japan). His contribution to the research base of Development Economics and Rural Studies are exemplary and his work is cited by many young scholars up to date.