Graduated in Economics from the University of Sri Lanka, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (1967) and holds a PhD in Economics from St John's College, University of Cambridge, England (1980). While functioned as Executive Director of the International Centre for Ethnic Studies,Kandy office he continued to be a member of the Faculty of the University of Tulane, New Orleans, Louisiana. He is Director of Tulane Institute of International Development (TIID), Arlington, Virginia.
His publications include: Historical Dictionary of Sri Lanka (London, 1998); Democratisation in South Asia, The First Fifty Years, (Kandy, 1998); Economic Dimensions of Ethnic Conflict: International Perspectives (London, 1997); Secessionist Movements in Comparative Perspective (London, 1996); Peace Accords and Ethnic Conflict (London, 1993). Principal author, Conflict Vulnerability Analysis Manual for Practitioners (USAID, Washington, DC, 2000).