Dr Velayuthapillai Navirathan is an accomplished administrator, academic, researcher, master trainer and development professional with extensive experience in university administration, economic development planning, teaching, research and public-sector management. He has been awarded a PhD in Economics by the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. He is an officer of the Sri Lanka Planning Service and the University Administrative Service and currently serves as Deputy Registrar (Establishments) at Eastern University, Sri Lanka.

Throughout his professional career, Dr Navirathan has held several significant public and academic positions, including Assistant Director of Planning, Senior Assistant Registrar, Deputy Registrar and Visiting Lecturer in Economics. He has also served as a resource person for numerous academic, professional and capacity-development programmes.

His academic and research interests encompass Economics, Management, Rural Development, Tourism Development, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Entrepreneurship, Poverty Alleviation, Strategic Planning, Public Administration and University Governance. By integrating his expertise in planning, administration, teaching and research, he continues to contribute meaningfully to institutional development, policy formulation and the socioeconomic development of Sri Lanka.