Overview

Saman Kelegama (6 April 1959 – 23 June 2017) was a prominent Sri Lankan economist, researcher and author known for his contributions to public policy debate, trade analysis and regional economic cooperation. Born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, he combined academic research with public engagement and leadership of a national policy institute. He is remembered for building bridges between scholarship, business communities and government decision‑makers.

Career and roles

Kelegama served as the Executive Director of the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) in Sri Lanka, where he led research on macroeconomic policy, trade reform, and development strategy until his death in 2017. He also held prominent advisory and evaluative roles in the private sector and civil society. From 2004 to 2013 he chaired the Evaluation Committee for the Best Corporate Citizen Award of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, and between 1998 and 2008 he headed the judging panel for the Exporter of the Year Award of the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka.

Research areas and contributions

Kelegama’s work addressed trade policy, industrial development, economic liberalization and regional integration. He examined how trade rules, tariff structures and regulatory reform affect small and medium enterprises and export performance. His writing sought to make economic analysis accessible to policymakers and the public, stressing practical reform options rather than abstract theory.

Public engagement and publications

Beyond institutional leadership, Kelegama was an active public intellectual. He authored research papers, policy briefs and opinion pieces, and took part in seminars, workshops and conferences across South Asia and beyond. His outreach aimed to inform both specialists and general audiences about the links between macroeconomic policy, growth and social outcomes.

Death and legacy

Kelegama collapsed and died of a heart attack on 23 June 2017 while attending a seminar in Bangkok, Thailand. His passing was widely noted in Sri Lanka’s academic, business and policy circles. Colleagues and commentators highlighted his role in shaping evidence‑based discussion on economic strategy and his mentoring of younger researchers.

Notable facts

  • Led one of Sri Lanka’s leading public policy research institutes.
  • Served on advisory panels that linked business recognition and export promotion with policy debates.
  • Recognized for making technical economic issues accessible to broader audiences.

Kelegama’s career illustrates the role of applied economic research in national policy formation and the importance of sustained public engagement by scholars. His work remains a reference point for those studying Sri Lanka’s economic policy, trade performance and regional cooperation efforts.