Academic Profile
Prof. D.A.C. Suranga Silva
Director of IHRA-University of Colombo · Professor in Sustainable Tourism Economics · Ph.D. (Amsterdam)
Career Arc
Academic & Professional Journey
2025 – Present
Director of Institute of Human Resource Advancement
Leads institutional growth and professional education programs, focusing on sustainable human resource development, capacity building, and regional workforce competitiveness.
2017 – Present
Professor (by Merit) in Tourism Economics
Department of Economics, University of Colombo. Recognised for exceptional contributions to introducing and developing Tourism Economics as an academic discipline in Sri Lanka, and for sustained excellence in research, teaching, and policy impact.
2018 – Present
Director, Center for Economic Research and Industrial Policy Analysis (CERIPA)
University of Colombo. Leads applied economic research with a focus on tourism policy, sustainable development, and industrial competitiveness.
2013 – 2016
Director, Staff Development Centre (SDC)
University of Colombo. Introduced new training programmes across all categories of university staff and cleared a two-year backlog in the Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (CTHE) programme.
2010 – 2012
Director General / CEO, SLITHM
Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, Ministry of Economic Development. Introduced new JICA-supported training programmes, obtained NVQ standards, developed franchise and e-learning systems, and established regional centres. Won the Most Outstanding Tourism Education and Training Effort Award in 2011 and 2012.
2005 – Present
Founding Coordinator, Tourism Study Programmes
Introduced Diploma, Executive Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma, and Master's programmes in Tourism Economics and Hotel Management at the University of Colombo's Faculty of Arts — the first such programmes in Sri Lanka's higher education system.
1991 – Present
Lecturer / Senior Lecturer / Professor, Department of Economics
University of Colombo. Teaching and research in Tourism Economics, Macroeconomics, Managerial Economics, Environmental Economics, Development Economics, International Economics, and Monetary Economics.
Education & Training
Academic Credentials
Doctor of Philosophy in Tourism Economics
Thesis: Sustainable Tourism Development in Sri Lanka — An Appraisal of International Inbound Tourism Demand, the Tourism Industry and National Tourism Policy.
M.Phil in Environmental Economics
Advanced studies in environmental and resource economics, building the foundation for subsequent work on eco-tourism and sustainable destination management.
Master of Arts in International Economics
Specialisation in international trade, monetary theory, and development economics within the Sri Lankan and South Asian context.
Bachelor of Arts in Monetary Economics
Undergraduate foundation in economics, monetary theory, and quantitative analysis. Commenced academic career at the same institution following graduation.
Leadership
Key Roles & Positions
Director
Institute of Human Resource Advancement (IHRA)-University of Colombo
2025 – Present
President
International Tourism Leaders' Summit (ITLS)
2015 – Present
Chief Editor
Journal of Tourism Economics and Applied Research (JTEAR)
2016 – Present
Secretary General
Tourism & Hospitality Educators and Researchers Association of Asia (THERAA)
2014 – Present
GSTC Lead Trainer
Global Sustainable Tourism Council — Sustainable Destination Management
Present
Honorary Advisor
Colombo Business Association (CBA)
2019 – Present
Council Member
Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA)
2019 – Present
ADB Tourism Education Expert
Asian Development Bank — SLITHM Institutional Review
2022
Prime Consultant
UNDP — Sustainable Tourism Destination Management Training
2021–2022
Executive Chairman
Alumni Association of Tourism Economics and Hospitality Management (AATEHM)
Present
Recognition
Awards & Felicitations
2017
Dedication to Sri Lanka–China Tourism Research
Association for Sri Lanka–China Social and Cultural Cooperation
2016
Best IFITT-Talk Award — Tourism Education
International Federation for IT and Travel & Tourism
2016
Indo-Sri Lanka Tourism Relations Excellence
Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM)
2011 & 2012
Most Outstanding Tourism Education & Training Effort
Sri Lanka Tourism Awards — Ministry of Economic Development
Present
Fellow Member (Lifetime)
Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH), United Kingdom
Present
Visiting Professor
University of Nicholas Copernicus, Toruń, Poland (2019 & 2022)