As a senior research manager and broadband specialist, Chanuka managed LIRNEasia’s Mobile 2.0 project, which examines the basic competitive and regulatory conditions for the use of mobiles for more-than-voice, as well as case studies of the same in emerging Asia. He also led research on broadband quality-of-service experience. In addition, he has led research in measuring telecom sector and regulatory performance in Indonesia, as well as the development of indicators for measuring the effectiveness of national regulatory authority websites in providing information to stakeholders. Chanuka has over 14 years of experience working at specialist and management-level positions on developmental issues. Before joining LIRNEasia, he worked as a program specialist in ICT4D at the UNDP, where he worked on various projects including telecom regulation, disaster management and e-government. He is a regular writer and commentator on ICT issues in the Sri Lankan media, and has co-authored several books on ICTs and Media. He is now a research fellow at LIRNEasia, leading the Sector Performance Review study for Indonesia.
Chanuka sits on the Board of Directors at the Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka. He works as a Consultant to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that undertakes the additional responsibility for ICT related developments. His task is to provide high level strategic and policy advice to the ministry and staff in all its development work aimed at bringing the benefits of Information and Communication Technologies for the Sri Lankan public. This includes the areas of telecommunication, ICT Policy and Leadership, Institutional Development, Information Infrastructure, Computer Literacy, Re-engineering Government, ICT Human Resource Development, ICT Investment and Private Sector Development, and e-Society.
Chanuka is also a visiting lecturer at University of Colombo and Open University. He teaches Information Policy at the former and Disaster Communications, the latter.
Chanuka was at LIRNEasia for three years, from September 2007 to September 2010. As a Senior Research Manager and Broadband Specialist, he managed the ‘Mobile 2.0’ project that examined the basic competitive and regulatory conditions for the use of mobiles, for more-than-voice. He also managed the case studies for the project in emerging Asia. In addition, Chanuka managed a research project on broadband quality-of-service experience, and a research project on measuring telecom sector and regulatory performance in Indonesia, as well as the development of indicators for measuring the effectiveness of national regulatory authority websites in providing information to stakeholders. He was also a research fellow at LIRNEasia, leading the Sector Performance Review study for Indonesia.
“My three years work experience at LIRNEasia will immensely be useful in carrying out my present tasks. Most what I know in this area I have learnt while at LIRNEasia. It is great that I now have the opportunity to put all good things I learnt at LIRNEasia into practice.” says Chanuka.