CB holds 13th International Research Conference

Front row from left: Additional Director of Economic Research Dr. L.R.C. Pathberiya, Assistant Governor Dr. Chandranath Amarasekara, World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia Dr. Franziska Ohnsorge, Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Deputy Governor J.P.R. Karunaratne and Director of Economic Research Dr. S. Jegajeevan  

Back row from left: K.K.C. Sineth Kannangara of Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. Kasun D. Pathirage of Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. Janaka Maheepala of Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. Suresh Kumar Dahal of Nepal Rastra Bank, Muhammad Mubin of The University of Western Australia and Amila Jeevan Wijayawardhana of Central Bank of Sri Lanka and S.R.C.L. Gunawardhana of Central Bank of Sri Lanka  

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka held its flagship research event, the 13th International Research Conference, on December 13, 2024, at the John Exter International Conference Hall of the Central Bank. The conference aimed at stimulating innovative theoretical and empirical research on various contemporary macroeconomic policy issues. It provided researchers from diverse backgrounds a platform to discuss their views, findings and experiences from varied perspectives. This year’s conference marked a significant milestone as it was held for the first time since 2019, following a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic crisis faced by the country.

Delivering the inaugural address, Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe highlighted the evolving role of the central banks in addressing the emerging global challenges such as increasing supply-side effects on inflation dynamics, geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, climate change and technological advancement. In this context, the Dr. Weerasinghe stressed the importance of research-driven policy-making to strengthen macroeconomic stability and promote sustainable economic growth. 

World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia Dr. Franziska Ohnsorge delivered the keynote speech. In her speech titled ‘Implications of Geoeconomic Fragmentation for South Asia’, Dr. Ohnsorge highlighted South Asia’s untapped potential of openness to global trade and investment and emphasised that with enhanced trade and investment openness, the region would be well-placed to benefit from the global value chains.

The inaugural session was followed by two technical sessions chaired by Central Bank of Sri Lanka Deputy Governor J.P.R. Karunaratne and Central Bank of Sri Lanka Assistant Governor Dr. Chandranath Amarasekara. Eight research papers on contemporary topics such as monetary policy, inflation and exchange rate dynamics, tourism, unemployment, underground economy and capital allocation, inter alia, selected through a rigorous double-blind review process, were presented by researchers from Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. 

Ma. Ellysah Joy T. Guliman, Shirra Jazel L. de Guia and Relian Edgar C. Soriente from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas presented at the conference virtually.

Alongside the conference, the Central Bank published its annual research journal, Staff Studies, Volume 52 of 2022, which can be accessed through https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/publications/other-publications/staff-study-series.