A Scholarly Tribute: SAJTH Dedicates Volume VI, Issue I to Senior Professor Nalin Abeysekera
View(s):The South Asian Journal of Tourism and Hospitality (SAJTH) has dedicated its Volume VI, Issue I (April 2026) to the memory of Senior Professor Nalin Abeysekera, honouring a lifetime of exceptional contributions to academia, research, and national development. This special dedication comes at a poignant moment, coinciding with the day when final respects are paid to the late Professor Abeysekera, lending profound significance to this tribute.
Professor Abeysekera, affiliated with the Open University of Sri Lanka, has made an exceptional contribution to academia through his roles as a scholar, educator, researcher, and academic leader. A graduate of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura with a B.Sc. in Marketing (Special), and an alumnus of Ananda College, he has demonstrated academic excellence throughout his career. With decades of experience as a consultant and academic, Senior Professor Nalin Abeysekera has built a distinguished teaching portfolio encompassing Strategic Management, Marketing, and Research Methodology, enriched by international exposure in Dubai, Oman, Canada, and Qatar.
He earned his MBA with three gold medals and a PhD in Leadership and Marketing from the University of Colombo. He thereafter made extensive contributions to research, teaching, and knowledge dissemination. As a Chartered Marketer and a key figure within the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), including serving as the Chairperson of the Board of Study, Professor Abeysekera has played a pivotal role in advancing marketing education and professional standards in Sri Lanka.
Notably, he contributed to the development of the National Competency Standards (NCS) for marketing under the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) framework in Sri Lanka in 2026, collaborating with the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) and SLIM. This initiative reflects his commitment to strengthening vocational education and aligning professional marketing competencies with national development priorities.
Professor Abeysekera has also contributed as a visiting lecturer to MBA and PhD programmes across leading national and international universities. He served as the Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies at the Open University of Sri Lanka, coordinated the MBA programme, and supervised doctoral research in Management and Marketing.
Professor Abeysekera’s scholarly contributions include numerous international journal publications, conference papers, and books, as well as his recognition as a finalist for the Best Asian Researcher Award by the Philippine Association of Institutions for Research in 2012. Beyond academia, his commitment to knowledge dissemination is evident through his contributions to national newspapers and media platforms, where he actively engages in discussions on education, economics, tourism, and entrepreneurship. Further, he founded the Sri Lanka Journal of Management Studies, the official scholarly journal of the Faculty of Management Studies at the Open University of Sri Lanka, thereby contributing significantly to the advancement of academic publishing in Sri Lanka.
Senior Professor Nalin Abeysekera has also made notable contributions to the field of tourism through scholarly and practitioner-oriented publications. Among his significant works are “She is Mine: How to Win the Hearts of Chinese Tourists” (2014), co-authored with S. N. Ganewatta, and “Tourism in Sri Lanka: The Way Forward” (2015), both published by Shaakkya Publications. These works reflect his forward-thinking perspective on international tourist behaviour and on Sri Lanka’s strategic positioning as a competitive destination, particularly in engaging emerging markets such as China.
In addition to his contributions to tourism literature, Professor Abeysekera has played an important role in localising marketing knowledge, notably through publications in Sinhala such as the book called “Marketing Sinhalen”. His efforts to produce marketing-related content in Sinhala have significantly broadened access to management education, enabling students, practitioners, and wider audiences in Sri Lanka to engage with complex marketing concepts in their native language. This reflects his enduring commitment to knowledge democratisation and inclusive education.
This dedication recognises not only his academic achievements but also his unwavering commitment to nurturing future scholars, bridging academia and industry, and contributing to national and regional intellectual discourse. The Editorial Board expresses its profound respect and appreciation for his enduring contributions to the field of Management and Tourism-related scholarship. It is particularly poignant that this issue is published on the day that final respects are being paid to Senior Professor Nalin Abeysekera. This dedication stands as a tribute to his enduring contributions and lasting impact on academia and society.
The issue itself reflects key contemporary themes in tourism and hospitality. It features research examining the relationship between tourism and economic growth in Sri Lanka, the role of inclusive service environments in enhancing customer experiences, and the impact of digital technologies on hospitality practices, particularly in SME hotels. In addition, the issue includes a scholarly book review that bridges academic theory with practical applications in tourism and marketing. Together, these contributions offer valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers navigating the evolving tourism landscape.
The full issue and the dedicated editorial note can be accessed online via the South Asian Journal of Tourism and Hospitality official platform: https://sajth.sljol.info/
As Sri Lanka’s academic and professional communities come together to honour his life and legacy, this special issue stands as a lasting tribute to a scholar whose influence will continue to inspire generations to come.
HitAd.lk is the best and biggest mobile phone market in Sri Lanka, and we guarantee you will find what you need here from our extensive listing of mobile phones for sale in Sri Lanka. Whether it’s a budget-priced smartphone for communication, or higher end features with advanced connectivity, there are many different options from which to choose from on our site!