Uniqueness of our team
Nimesha Jayakody
(Chief Executive Officer)
Graduating with First-Class Honors in Finance from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nimesha is also a CIMA Passed Finalist and a prize winner in the May 2010 exams. Selected for the International Visitor Leadership Program by the U.S. Department of State in 2023, she is an exemplar of academic and professional excellence.
Nimesha’s professional journey started with an internship at Frontier in 2014, followed by a stint as a Business Analyst at MAS. Returning to Frontier in 2016 as a Product Lead, she has been pivotal in aligning research outputs with client needs, driving product innovation, and fostering team growth. She excels at aligning research outputs with client needs while driving new product development and team growth. Nimesha continues to carry forward the vision of Frontier's late founder, Amal Sanderatne. Alongside her role at Frontier, she manages her family’s manufacturing and retail business.
An avid reader of fiction and nonfiction, a fitness enthusiast, and an explorer at heart, Nimesha is the perfect blend of discipline and spontaneity. Known for bringing "method to madness" (without being overly rigid), she’s adept at looking at things from multiple perspectives—perhaps why she’s great at managing teams and chaos alike!
Thanuri Thalagala
(Chief Operating Officer)
Thanuri graduated with First-Class Honors in Finance from the University of Colombo and completed her CIMA qualifications. Joining Frontier during her final semester in university, she stayed on to explore areas beyond finance, finding her passion in operations, business development, and client management.
A decade later, Thanuri plays a vital role in overseeing Frontier’s business development, operations, and technology functions, with her calm demeanor and strategic vision strengthening client relationships and shaping Frontier’s services. She is integral to financial planning, budgeting, and strengthening client relationships. Her strategic vision shapes Frontier’s evolving services, while her deep understanding of operations cements her role as a key decision-maker in the company.
Thanuri is the epitome of patience and organizational prowess—traits essential for navigating the complexities of her role. A nature enthusiast who loathes shopping (much to the delight of her wallet), she considers travel as essential as food. Her love for dogs only adds to her down-to-earth charm.
Thilina Panduwawala
(Senior Macroeconomist)
Thilina’s unconventional journey began in medical school in China before he fully embraced economics. He holds a BSc in International Relations from the University of London and a Master’s in Financial Economics from the University of Colombo. His work has been presented at Princeton’s DebtCon-6 and includes extensive research on Chinese lending, Sri Lanka's debt restructuring, and India’s evolving role as a lender and investor. Another area of research interest is in Sri Lanka's sovereign default, with ongoing work on Sri Lanka's road to default, costs of the default, changes in public debt dynamics prior to default, and domestic debt restructuring. Future work also aims to cover the political economic history of Sri Lanka's frequent balance of payments crises and public debt issues.
After stints at Frontier and the ADB, Thilina returned to Frontier in 2022 during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, leading cutting-edge macroeconomic research and contributing to thought leadership on critical issues.
Thilina’s knack for macroeconomic forecasting is matched only by his talent for juggling deadlines with finesse. When he’s not delving into debt dynamics, he’s crafting data-driven insights for MacroColombo or FTAlphaville.
Chayu Damsinghe
(Head of Macroeconomic Advisory)
Chayu’s academic journey is as diverse as his interests. While he is currently completing his master’s in Economics, his background spans a wide array of disciplines, from the sciences to the arts and technology. This multidimensional foundation lends a uniquely practical perspective to his economic insights—grounded less in abstract theory and more in real-world application. His experience extends to running a family business, adding a pragmatic edge to his economic analysis.
Professionally, Chayu leads Frontier’s Macroeconomic Advisory, specializing in analyzing macroeconomic risks such as Sri Lanka’s debt crises and financial sector developments. His expertise in interest rates and currency dynamics (particularly the LKR) positions him as a trusted voice for Frontier’s clients and media platforms. In addition to his role at Frontier, he serves as Executive Director of DaddysLanka, a family-run institution dedicated to supporting special needs and mental health care.
Chayu’s interests reflect his expansive curiosity about the world. He delves into astronomy, socio history, linguistics, and evolutionary biology during his downtime, proving that economists can, in fact, enjoy contemplating the cosmos and the intricacies of human language just as much as spreadsheets. This wide-ranging passion might just make his macroeconomic forecasts a little more "stellar."
Anjali Hewapathage
(Deputy Head of Macroeconomic Research)
Anjali holds a degree from the University of Colombo, majoring in Economics and minoring in International Relations and Sociology. While initially gravitating toward English Literature, she found herself unexpectedly immersed in Economics—a field she admits made little sense at first. However, her interest was piqued by gender economics, inspired by Nancy Folbre's critique of traditional economic thought, which opened her eyes to the gaps and biases in conventional teachings. This foundational perspective has shaped her nuanced approach to economic research. Professionally, Anjali is a cornerstone of Frontier’s macroeconomic research team. She leads banking and financial sector analyses, delving into credit trends, consumer demand, and inflation outlooks. Her role extends to managing *Time Twister*, Frontier's flagship news product, where she coordinates the team to deliver top-tier content.
Outside work, Anjali’s hobbies reflect her thoughtful and introspective nature. A voracious reader, her current focus is non-fiction exploring the evolution of systems, alongside classics from Joan Didion, Anaïs Nin, and Emily Brontë. Her approach to life is deeply analytical—except, perhaps, when curled up with a book, where she claims to be perfectly happy letting "economics take the day off."
Aparni Seneviratne
(Manager – Operations and Business Development)
Specializing in business development, client coordination, recruitment, and social media management, Aparni also oversees Frontier’s creative designs. With a background in architecture and digital media, she brings a unique blend of creativity and strategy to her role.
Before joining Frontier, she began her career at Trailfinders – Walkers Tours, where she developed a keen interest in digital creatives and social media management. She has since expanded her expertise beyond Frontier, working with advocacy groups to raise awareness on women’s and minority rights. Her passion for sustainability led her to write for Oceanlust magazine as a subeditor, focusing on ocean conservation and the blue economy.
Recently, she stumbled upon an interest in animation and gaming development, earning a scholarship from the US Embassy to explore the field as a 3D Gaming Environment Designer.
Aparni is a graduate of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University with a BSc in Built Environment (Architecture) and is currently pursuing an MSc in Sustainable Tourism at the University of Peradeniya. At Frontier, she blends her creative and operational skills, contributing to both strategic growth and brand storytelling.
Arshad Ismail
(Senior Research Lead)
As a Business Economics graduate from the University of Colombo, at Frontier, Arshad simplifies complex economic scenarios into actionable insights for Frontier’s clients. His expertise extends to global macroeconomic trends and public-facing insights, including appearances on Channel Eye’s Business Today. Beyond Frontier, he nurtures future economists through his teaching initiative, iTutorSL, supporting over 300 students in advanced-level economics.
Arshad’s organization extends to a perfectly curated workspace, yet he often finishes tasks at the last minute (albeit flawlessly). Between replying to endless WhatsApp messages from students, he dreams of starting a garden and diving into the world of equity markets and crypto.
Navinda Meepe
(Research Analyst)
With a degree in Business Economics from the University of Colombo and certifications in CIMA, Navinda brings expertise in market liquidity, capital markets, debt structuring and tourism sector dynamics. His insights into various sectors have been featured in Daily FT. With experience in project management and banking, he brings a well-rounded approach to Frontier’s macroeconomic work. He is also studying for his CFA Level 1 while at Frontier where he’s been working for the last 2 years.
A coastal enthusiast, Navinda loves relaxing by the ocean (surfing lessons pending). A Rick Riordan fan and futsal player, he prides himself on his "art of teasing" while staying in everyone’s good graces—his self-proclaimed superpower!
Tharangi Sumanaweera
(Research Associate / Remote Team Manager)
Tharangi holds a degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Peradeniya and a diploma in diplomacy from the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute. Her academic foundation combines analytical expertise with a flair for client relations and diplomacy, making her a well-rounded contributor to Frontier’s Economic Research team. In her professional role, Tharangi supports economic research and remote collaborations with efficiency and enthusiasm.
Beyond the office, Tharangi’s life is enriched by her love of travel, instilled from a young age by her family. She enjoys uncovering the history of the places she visits, though she cheekily admits her memory isn’t always up to the task. Hiking and staying active are integral to her travels, as is reading fiction, which she finds both an escape and a coping mechanism for life's challenges. Baking new recipes is her go-to for finding peace of mind—whether it’s calming her nerves or perfecting the next sweet treat for her family and friends.
Theeksha Gunasinghe
(Trainee Research Analyst)
Balancing roles as Rugby Captain, Sports Council President, and Research Analyst, Theeksha exemplifies leadership and multitasking. His academic pursuits in Business Economics from the University of Colombo are complemented by a Diploma in Digital Marketing. While at school he became the Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer in Sri Lanka and gained recognition for his ability to balance both academics and sports while at school and at university.
A sports enthusiast and accomplished speaker, Theeksha’s energy knows no bounds. He especially loves socializing with people over public speaking and community work.
Himaru Yatipansalawa
(Trainee Research Analyst)
As a final-year Economics undergraduate from the University of Peradeniya and a CIM Level - 6 student he attempts to bring a new perspective to his research work at Frontier. His experience with AIESEC at his university and Model United Nations, debating and announcing at school highlights his leadership and diplomacy skills.
Himaru’s OCD superpower ensures punctuality (sometimes annoyingly so). As a movie and mystery-novel aficionado, he dreams of owning a country-side farm where he can grow crops and use his amateur photography skills.
Shihara Ferdinando
(Trainee Research Analyst)
Shihara's research interests lie in environmental economics and consumer law, with a focus on waste management and urban spending patterns. A finalist at the World Food Forum’s Transformative Research Challenge, she brings expertise from market and media research.
Passionate about youth empowerment and reconciliation, Shihara volunteers with NGOs and is an active basketball player, chess enthusiast, and choir singer. Her creative side shines through piano playing and painting, while she enjoys historical documentaries, sci-fi, and philosophical books.
Ishfaaq Irfan
(Trainee Research Analyst and Operations Coordinator)
Pursuing a degree in Financial Engineering and the final level of AAT, Ishfaaq brings analytical rigor and a love for sports to Frontier’s team.
Ishfaaq channels his competitive spirit into football and is a steady presence in inter-house tournaments. His quiet determination and curiosity make him a valuable team member.
Joshua Weerasingham
(Branding and Operations Coordinator)
Joshua, or Josh as he’s fondly known by friends and family, holds an LLB (Hons) from the University of London.
With previous experience in property conveyancing, freelance video editing, and content writing, Josh has developed a diverse skill set that spans both legal and creative fields. He supports day-to-day operations by assisting with content production, video editing, and ensuring presentations are both clear and engaging.
Outside of work, Josh is a massive literature junkie, with a particular fondness for Sally Rooney, Ocean Vuong, and Margaret Atwood. Josh is also an avid film enthusiast and enjoys treating life like a personal indie movie. He values spending time with friends and is always up for an adventure, whether it’s exploring new places or just navigating the everyday moments.