A New Chapter for the DBA Programme: Thank You to Professor Tharusha N. Gooneratne and a Warm Welcome to Professor Maduka Udunuwara
The DBA Alumni Network proudly marks an important leadership transition within the Doctor of Business Administration Programme at the Faculty of Management & Finance, University of Colombo. We extend our deep appreciation to Professor Tharusha N. Gooneratne for her outstanding service and impactful leadership as DBA Programme Coordinator, while continuing her esteemed academic contributions at the university.
We also warmly welcome Professor Maduka Udunuwara, a distinguished academic and visionary leader, as she takes up the role to guide the DBA Programme into its next era of excellence and innovation.
Thank You, Professor Tharusha N. Gooneratne - Outgoing DBA Programme Coordinator
We extend our sincere appreciation to Professor Tharusha N. Gooneratne, who recently concluded her tenure as the Coordinator of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Programme at the Faculty of Management & Finance, University of Colombo. Her dedication, visionary leadership, and academic stewardship have significantly contributed to the growth and success of the DBA programme.
Professor Gooneratne continues to serve as the Chair Professor in the Department of Accounting,
and her contributions to academia, research, and professional development remain deeply impactful within the faculty and beyond.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (with first class honours) and Master of Philosophy Degree from the University of Colombo, and a PhD degree from La Trobe University, Australia. She is also a fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) UK. Professor Gooneratne has published widely locally and internationally and has received numerous awards for academic and professional excellence as well as for distinctions in research. Having joined the Faculty of Management and Finance as a Lecturer in December 2002, she has held various administrative positions including as the Head of the Department of Accounting and as the Coordinator of the Master of Business Administration (Finance) programme at the University of Colombo.
We are grateful for her invaluable guidance and contribution to the DBA programme and look
forward to her continued impact in academia.
Welcome Professor Maduka Udunuwara – New DBA Programme Coordinator
We are pleased to welcome Professor Maduka Udunuwara as the newly appointed Coordinator of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Programme at the Faculty of Management & Finance, University of Colombo.
Professor Udunuwara brings extensive academic, administrative, and professional experience to this role. A distinguished academic attached to the Department of Marketing, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and institutional development.
Professor Udunuwara holds a PhD in Marketing from Edith Cowan University, Western Australia, an MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and a BCom (Special) Degree from the University of Colombo. She also holds a CTHE Certification from the University of Colombo.
She has served in several key roles within the faculty and the wider academic community. Currently, she serves as the Head of the Department of Hospitality and Leisure Management (from November 2024 to date). Prior to this, she was the Coordinator of the Hospitality and Leisure Management Programme from 2016 to 2024. Professor Udunuwara is also the Chairperson of the Ethics Review Committee for the term 2024 to 2025 and previously served as the Director of the Staff Development Center from 2023 to 2024. Between 2016 and 2021, she contributed as an Education Consultant at the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing. In addition, she continues to serve as a Professor at the University of Colombo and as an Editorial Board Member of the Colombo Business Journal (CBJ). She was also the Conference Coordinator of the 11th International Research Conference on Management and Finance.
We look forward to Professor Udunuwara’s continued leadership and strategic vision as she guides the DBA programme to new heights of excellence.