Dr. Wisura Weerathunga

Senior Lecturer (Higher Grade)

Faculty of Business | Business Management

Career Summary

Dr. Wisura Weerathunga is an academic with expertise in corporate finance and financial accounting. He holds a Ph.D. in Accounting from Monash University and a Master in International Finance from Deakin University, where he was awarded the Best Graduate Award (Batch Top) and earned a place on the Dean’s Merit List.

Dr. Weerathunga is actively involved in collaborative research with international scholars from multiple countries, bringing diverse perspectives and enriching his research. He is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), where he contributes significantly to both teaching and research. Previously, he served as the Head of the Department of Accounting and Finance at SLTC Research University, Sri Lanka, and as a Tutor at Monash University during his Ph.D. His teaching portfolio includes specialized subjects such as Derivatives and Risk Management, Forensic Accounting, Corporate Sustainability Accounting, and Investment and Portfolio Management at both local and international levels.

His research focuses on corporate finance, governance, shareholder rights, corporate fraud, financial misconduct, institutional investors, and international finance. He has presented his research at prestigious conferences such as the Australasian Banking and Finance Conference (where he served as Track Chair and Reviewer), the FMCG Research Conference in Melbourne, and the Asian Finance Association (AsianFA) 2023.

Dr. Weerathunga’s academic achievements have been recognized through multiple honors, including the Best Graduate Award (Batch Top) for his Master’s in International Finance at Deakin University, a place on the Dean’s Merit List, and membership in the Golden Key Honorary Association for being among the top 15% of his cohort at Deakin.

With a passion for research and teaching, Dr. Weerathunga combines a strong academic background with practical insights into the financial industry, contributing significantly to the SLIIT Business School.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

PhD (Accounting) Monash University

Master of International Finance (Deakin University)

BSc (Hons) Business Management (Northumbria University)

HONOURS AND AWARDS

Best Graduate Award 2020 - Master of International Finance (Deakin University).

Deans Merit List Award 2020 - Master of International Finance (Deakin University).

Research Interests and Memberships

Research Interests

Corporate finance, Corporate governance, Corporate investment decisions, Shareholder litigation, Corporate fraud, Financial Misconduct, Audit fees, Institutional owners, Ownership structures, International Finance, International trade, Public debt.

Memberships

Member of the Golden Key Honorary Association Australia.

Member of the Asian Financial Association

Ongoing Research

Import Competition, Corporate Employment Efficiency, and Labour Reallocation., Completed paper with Ee. Mong. S (Deakin University)., Weerathunga. Wisura. D., Gul. Ferdinand. A. (University of Sunshine Coast), (Pending with: British Accounting Review). Expected publication 2025.

Shareholder litigation and investment decisions: The role of reporting quality and institutional monitoring., Weerathunga. Wisura. D., do. Viet., (Monash University). Arnold., Yessy., (Monash University). Yee. Boon. F., (Sunway University),. Expected publication 2025.

Multi-forum litigation, fraud risk, and Auditor fees: New evidence from Exclusive Forum Provisions (Research Work with Prof Yessy Arnold., Monash University., Prof Foo Yee Boon, Sunway University). Expected publication 2025.