Iraj Ratnayake, PhD is a Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management attached to the Department of Tourism Management, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.  He has completed his PhD at Universiti Utara Malaysia in the area of Tourism Planning. Dr. Iraj served as the founder Head of the Department of Tourism Management and serving in the same approximately 20 years. His research and literally presentations mainly encompasses special interest tourism and tourism planning in developing countries. Besides research and writing, he also participates actively in training and consultation projects include tourism information systems, site planning, visitor management, product marketing, and community tourism. Dr. Iraj is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.

Special interest tourism, Tourism planning in developing countries

Rethinking the Role of Institutions for Fuelling Development in Local Landscape: Sri Lanka Experience (Co-author: Mahesh Hapugoda)

Buultjens, J., Gnanapala, A. and Ratnayake, I (2015) Sri Lanka and Tourism: The Need for a Green Economy Approach. In, Tourism in the Green Economy, Edited by Maharaj Vijay Reddy and Keith Wilkes. Routledge. ISBN: 978-0-415-70921-7.

J.W. Buultjens, I. Ratnayake, and W.K. Athula Chammika Gnanapala (2015): Post Conflict tourism development in Sri Lanka: implications for building resilience, Current Issues in Tourism, DOI: 10.1080/13683500.2014.1002760.

Ratnayake, I. and Hapugoda, M. (2014). Diverged Meaning of Heritage: A Critique on Visual Authenticity of the Golden Rock Temple of Dambulla. Paper presented at 7th Tropical Tourism Outlook Conference, Sri Lanka, held on August 8-10, 2014 at Hritance Kandalama Hotel, Sri Lanka.

J. Buultjens, I. Ratnayake, Athula Chammika Gnanapala (2014). From Tsunami to Recovery: The Resilience of the Sri Lankan Tourism Industry. In Tourism Crisis and Disaster Management in the Asia-Pacific. Brent W. Ritchie, Kom Campiranon (Eds.). 

Ratnayake, I. (2014). Compiling Dissertations, Theses, and Independent Supervised Studies in Management. Belihuloya: Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. ISBN: 978-955-644-035-5.

Ratnayake, I. and Kasim, A. (In Press) Critical Success Factors for Community Participation in Tourism: Lessons learned from developing countries with particular reference to Sri Lanka. Publication on Sustainable Tourism Development. University of Sabah Malaysia. 

Bandara, H. M., Ratnayake, I. (2013). Cultural Heritage Tourism: The Conflicts, Impacts and Policy with Special Reference to Sri Lanka. In Essays in Social Sciences: Professor D. Athapattu felicitation volume. Sri Lanka: University of Ruhuna. 

Ratnayake, I., Wijesundera, N. and Bandara, H.M. (2012). Volatility of Tourism and Development: Sri Lanka Experience. In Issues in Development, Herath Madana Mandara (Ed.). Stamford Lake: Sri Lanka. pp. 301-327. ISBN 975-955-658-314-4. 

Ratnayake, I. and Kasim, A. (2012). Community Tourism Development in Sri Lanka: A Critique. In Cross-Cultural Tourism In And Beyond Asia. Editors: Shen Han, Wu Binu and Alastair M. Morrison. Proceedings of the 3^rd Biennial International Tourism Studies Association (ITSA) and 4^th Tourism Outlook Conference, Nov. 30^th - Dec. 2^nd 2010, University Technology MARA, Malaysia. pp. 347-351: ISBN 978-7-89429-068-7.

Ratnayake, I. and Kasim, A. (2012). Managing Towards Sustainability: Understanding Sri Lankan Communities Readiness to Participate in Nature Based Tourism. Journal of Global Management, January 2012. Volume 3. Number 1: pp 19-33. ISSN: 2229-919X. 

Ratnayake, I. and Kasim, A. (2011). Stakeholder Collaboration and Partnerships in Community Tourism with Special Reference to Sri Lanka: A Critique, In Essays in Social Sciences: Professor J.W.D. Somasundara felicitation volume, H.M. Bandara and K.R.H.L. Gunasekera (Eds.). Sri Lanka: Godage Publishers. 

Ratnayake, I. and Kasim, A. (2011). Managing Towards Sustainability: Understanding Sri Lankan Communities Readiness to Participate in Nature Based Tourism. Proceedings – ICM 2011, International Conference on Management, held in Hydro Hotel, Penang, Malaysia on 13-14 June 2011. pp. 1384-1397. ISBN : 978-967-5705-03-8. 

Ratnayake, I. and Kasim, A. (2011). Community Tourism Development in Sri Lanka: A Critique. Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Culinary Arts. Volume 2 Issue 2. pp. 19-26. ISBN: 1985-8914.

Ratnayake, I. (2011). Community Environmental and Tourism Initiatives: A Case from Sri Lankan Perspective (Doctoral dissertation available online). Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Malaysia.

Ratnayake, I. and Kasim, A. (2010). Community Tourism Development in Sri Lanka: A Critique. Proceedings of 2010 4^th Tourism Outlook & 3^rd ITSA Conference, Malaysia, 30^th November – 3^rd December. Universiti Technology Mara, Malaysia. 

Ratnayake, I. and Bandara, H.M. (2008). Coastal Land Uses and Tourism: Planning Efforts and Conflicts, Paper Presented at the International Symposium. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka. 

Ratnayake, I. (2006). Making Environmental Conservation Viable for Community Based Tourism Development:  The Case of Wavulpana Limestone Cavern in Ratnapura District, Sri Lanka, Paper Presented at the International Symposium. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka.

Munasinghe, S., Ratnayake, I. and Aslam, M.S.M. (2006). The Case of Foreign Tourists’ Perception on Kandy Esala Perahera (pageant) as an Attraction, Paper Presented at the International Symposium. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka.

Ratnayake, I. and Munasinghe, S. (2006). Domestic Religious Tourism and Environmental Concerns: The Case of Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada), Sri Lanka, Paper Presented at the International Symposium, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.

Ratnayake, I. (2006). Spontaneous Tourism Development Based on Water Falls: Two Cases from Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, Paper Presented at the International Symposium. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka.

Buultjens, J., Ratnayake, I., Gnanapala, W. and Aslam, M. 2005. “Tourism and its implications for management in Ruhuna National Park (Yala), Sri Lanka”, Journal of Tourism Management, 26(5), 733-742.

Ratnayake, I. and Gnanapala, W.K.A.C. (2000). Sri Lanka: Sabaragamuwa Province Insight Guide. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka.