Chathurga Karunanayake is a Research Officer at IPS with research interests in behavioural economics, labour economics, infrastructure development and regulatory governance. She is a Guest Lecturer on Consumer Behaviour and Luxury Consumption Patterns. She introduced the novel concept of ‘decorative consumption’ to the jargon of Economics. She has published articles in several international journals and other national and international outlets. She holds a BA in Economics (Honours) with a concentration in Trade and Industry and a Certificate in International Relations and Affairs from University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and a DipLCM from University of West London, UK. She is currently a Council Member of the Sri Lanka Federation of University Women (SLFUW) and a Member of the Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA).