The Peradeniya International Economic Research Symposium (PIERS) 2025 was held on the 11th of September at the Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (PGIHS), University of Peradeniya. Organized by the Department of Economics and Statistics in collaboration with Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania. The symposium provided a distinguished platform for academics, researchers, and policymakers to engage in meaningful discussions on contemporary economic challenges. The theme of this year’s symposium was “Forging a Path for Sustainable and Inclusive Development: Global and Local Challenges.”
The proceedings commenced with a welcome speech by Prof. S. Vijesandiran, Chair of PIERS 2025, followed by the opening remarks delivered by Prof. J. G. Sri Ranjith, Head of the Department of Economics and Statistics. The symposium was formally inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Prof. Ranjith Pallegama, Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, who underscored the importance of research-driven dialogue in addressing national and international policy challenges.
The event also featured addresses by distinguished invited speakers. Mr. Chandrasena Maliyadde, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Economic Association and the Organization of Professional Associations (OPA), delivered the guest speech, offering valuable reflections on Sri Lanka’s development trajectory. The keynote address was presented by Prof. Bianca TESCASIU, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania. The symposium attracted international participation, with delegates from Germany, Romania, and India joining Sri Lankan scholars and professionals to share perspectives and research findings. This global representation added richness to the dialogue, highlighting both shared challenges and diverse approaches to economic policy and development.
Guided by its central theme, the symposium featured sessions on a wide range of issues, including entrepreneurship and technological change, business management, land, labour and capital markets, sectoral policies, health, nutrition and food security, natural resources and the environment, growth and development, inequality and gender, external sector dynamics, banking and finance, as well as fiscal policy and macroeconomic management. Each session encouraged thoughtful debate, combining theoretical insights with practical applications relevant to national and international contexts.
As the programme concluded, certificates of appreciation were presented to all who contributed to the success of PIERS 2025. In his Vote of Thanks, Prof. J. G. Sri Ranjith, Head, Department of Economics and Statistics, faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya expressed gratitude to the speakers, participants, and organizing committee for their dedication. The chairperson of the symposium Prof. S. Vijesandiran and the coordinator Dr. Kalpa Rajapaksha were acknowledged as instrumental to the event’s seamless execution.
PIERS 2025 stood as a testament to the University of Peradeniya’s enduring role as a Centre of intellectual exchange. By fostering collaboration across borders and disciplines, and by addressing both global and local challenges, the symposium reaffirmed the importance of economic research in shaping a more informed and resilient future.
