Introduction to the Department

Business Economics was introduced as an area of specialization to the B.Sc. Business Administration Degree Programme at the Department of Business Administration in the year 1995. Owing to the unprecedented demand for this specialisation, it was subsequently developed into the BSc Honours in Business Administration in Business Economics degree programme in 2002. This four-year, fully fledged degree programme is offered by the Department of Business Economics of the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, and is recognised as one of the pioneering degree programmes of its nature within the Sri Lankan university system.

The degree programme is specifically designed to bridge the gap between economic theory and business practice. It aims to develop undergraduates in line with industry requirements by integrating analytical perspectives from both Economics and Management, thereby producing graduates equipped to respond effectively to real-world business and economic challenges.

Successful completion of the programme provides undergraduates with a strong foundation in economic theory alongside essential managerial skills, enabling informed and effective decision-making within organisations. The Department also facilitates the development of students’ competencies in research, analytical thinking, communication, teamwork, and decision-making, contributing to their personal development as well as broader social and national progress.

Currently, the department is staffed with one (1) Senior Professor (Chair) of Business Economics, six (6) Professors in Business Economics, six (6) Senior Lecturers, one (1) Confirmed Lecturer, four (4) Probationary Lecturers, and two (2) Temporary Assistant Lecturers.

The BSc Honours in Business Administration in Business Economics degree programme offers structured specialisation pathways that enable undergraduates to develop a focused expertise. These specialisation areas are designed to align with industry demands, policy priorities, and emerging global trends, while strengthening the analytical and applied competencies of graduates.

The following specialisation areas are offered within the degree programme:

• Banking
  This specialisation provides knowledge on financial institutions, banking operations, financial markets, and risk management, preparing students for careers in the banking and financial services sector.
• Development Studies
  Focuses on economic development, policy interventions, sustainability, and socio-economic issues, with particular emphasis on developing and emerging economies.
• International Economics and Business
  Covers global trade, international finance, multinational business operations, and economic integration, equipping students to operate in an increasingly globalised business environment.
• Data Science for Economics
  Emphasises quantitative analysis, econometrics, and the application of data science tools in economic and business decision-making.

These specialisation areas are delivered through a combination of academic coursework, applied learning, and research-oriented activities, ensuring that graduates are equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies relevant to their chosen fields.

The Business Economics Students’ Association (BIZCON), established in 2003, promotes constructive engagement among students and academic staff in support of the objectives of the Department of Business Economics. Through BIZCON, the Department facilitates a range of student-led and outreach-oriented initiatives that complement the academic mission of the Department. Among these, EconInsight serves as a flagship outreach seminar series in Economics, specifically designed for G.C.E. Advanced Level Economics students.

In addition to student-associated outreach activities, the Department actively organises and contributes to national-level initiatives that enhance industry engagement, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning. Notably, the Department organises J’Pura Expo, a large-scale national initiative conducted as part of an academic subject, which focuses on export development, innovation, and university–industry collaboration. The initiative provides students with structured exposure to real-world economic and business environments while contributing to broader national development objectives.

Alongside these academically driven initiatives, the Department places importance on aesthetics, creativity, and holistic student development. In this regard, the Department organises HeartStrings, an aesthetic-focused event conducted as part of a subject, which provides a platform for creative expression and cultural engagement, thereby enriching the overall undergraduate experience beyond conventional classroom learning.

Furthermore, the Department offers structured Personal and Professional Development and English language enhancement programmes aimed at improving employability, communication skills, and workplace readiness of undergraduates. Complementing these initiatives, students also participate in an Out-Bound Training programme, designed to develop teamwork, leadership, resilience, and interpersonal skills through experiential learning. In addition, undergraduates are provided with the opportunity to undertake industry-based training throughout their final year, enabling them to gain sustained practical exposure and meaningful engagement with industry prior to graduation.

The Department also contributes actively to academic research dissemination through the Sri Lanka Journal of Business Economics (SLJBE), a peer-reviewed journal published annually. The journal serves as a platform for advancing knowledge in business economics and related disciplines. Further strengthening its research outreach, the Department organises the Annual Conference on Business Economics (ACBE) each year, providing students with opportunities to present and showcase their research to a wider academic and professional audience.

The department obtained the membership of the Sri Lanka Forum of University of Economists (SLFUE), which is a network of all Departments and Units of Economics within the Sri Lankan state university system in 2012.

Our Direction

Strategic Intension

“To contribute to society through the creation of citizens excelled in the fields of Management and Economics, who would in turn become outstanding Managers, Economists, Scholars and Policymakers.”