Development Research – a ‘passion’ at the Dr. Gamani Corea Foundation

By Lynn Ockersz

In its refurbished, salubrious and tranquil location at ‘Horton Lodge’, Colombo 7, which was the original home of internationally renowned economist Dr. Gamani Corea, the Gamani Corea Foundation hopes to forge ahead towards expanding the frontiers of Development Research.

‘Our passion is to promote Development Research. This is in keeping with the late Dr. Gamani Corea’s aim of furthering research in economic development in Sri Lanka. Our main mission could be likened to that of the Rockefeller Foundation in the US, which was committed to improving the living conditions of people around the world, Board Director of the Gamani Corea Foundation, Dr. Harsha Aturupane said. He was addressing a reception for family and friends at ‘Horton Lodge’ to mark Dr. Gamani Corea’s 10th death anniversary on November 2nd. The picturesque ‘Horton Lodge’ is now the headquarters of the Foundation.

Some extracts from Dr. Aturupane’s address: ‘Development Research is the focus of the Dr. Gamani Corea Foundation’s Innovators’ Forum as well, which is in the process of facilitating the conduct and writing of research by specialists on different aspects of the local economy. At present we are trying to help the National Planning Commission as well. We are majorly into international development and collaboration in the pursuit of the wellbeing of the world’s publics. We are also well into macroeconomic and Human Development Research.

‘A cause that is advanced by us with vigour is the formulation of a good national plan. “Blue Skies” research, studies into the “Dark Internet Economy”, and AI research are new areas that we are breaking into. We are also attaching priority to the furtherance of international links with development organizations, such as the South Centre and UNCTAD. In all these endeavours only the late Dr. Corea’s funds will be used.’

Chairman, Dr. Gamani Corea Foundation, Dr. Lloyd Fernando, speaking on Gamani Corea the person said, among other things: ‘The late Dr. Gamani Corea was kind, humble, amiable and witty. I met him first as a junior officer or “Podian” at the Planning Commission in the sixties. He did not care for hierarchy nor did he adhere to narrow thinking in educational matters. Despite some sections of the government of the day having reservations about my Russian qualifications, Dr. Corea enlisted me to state service and later recommended me to the Institute of Development Studies of the University of Sussex, where I completed my doctorate. This showed his character and humanity.

‘Dr. Corea had to resign from his positions in the state sector with the change of government in 1970. But the then Prime Minister, Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, sent him as Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Brussels.’

Sri Lanka’s well known radio journalist and broadcaster, Dr. Vijaya Corea, a sibling of Dr. Gamani Corea, who was 18 years his junior said: ‘The Dr. Gamani Corea Foundation has done a classical job in carrying forward my brother’s name. He could relate to any generation with ease. Good humour was one of his strong points. The extent of his simplicity was such that he did not want to be referred to as “Dr.” He was as simple as simple could be.’