Anoji Ekanayake (MDS, Cmb)

Anoji Ekanayake is a research professional based in Sri Lanka and Qatar with extensive experience in research on migrant workers in the Gulf region. In addition, she has research interests in gender and displacement, transnational communities and refugee returnees. She holds a Masters in Development Studies from the University of Colombo and a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours from the University of Peradeniya. Her work has appeared in various international outlets such as Migration and Development (Routledge) and Comparative Migration Studies (Springer). In addition, she manages the blog (The Migrant), where she publishes research articles on pressing issues related to Sri Lankan migrants. Prior to joining CMRD, she was at the Gender, Justice and Security Hub of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and Verite Research, Sri Lanka.

Anoji’s Publications

Journal Articles

1. Ekanayake, A., and Amirthalingam, K. (2021), "The economic impact of the covid-19 pandemic on Sri Lankan migrants in Qatar", Comparative Migration Studies.
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2. Ekanayake, E.M.A and K. Amirthalinagam (2020) Impact of Migration of Sri Lankan Professionals to Qatar on Skill Acquisition and Brain Drain, Migration and Development
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3. Ekanayake, A., & Amirthalingam, K. (2019), "An empirical study of the factors that motivate Sri Lankan professionals to migrate to Qatar", Migration and Development.
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Academic Conferences

1. Ekanayake, A., & Amirthalingam, K. (2021), "The economic impact of the covid-19 pandemic on Sri Lankan migrants in Qatar", Comparative Migration Studies. (Special issue on comparative perspectives on migration, diversities and the pandemic -Forthcoming)
   

2. Ekanayake, A., & Amirthalingam, K. (2020), "Impact of migration of Sri Lankan professionals to Qatar on skill acquisition and brain drain", Migration and Development.
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3. Ekanayake, A., & Amirthalingam, K. (2019), "An empirical study of the factors that motivate Sri Lankan professionals to migrate to Qatar", Migration and Development.
   [link]
   

Other publications

1. Ekanayake, A., Amirthalingam, K., Piper, N., and Perera, S. (2023), "Survey on Returnee Migrant Workers in Sri Lanka: A Gendered Analysis of Living and Working Conditions and Institutional Support Mechanisms", Centre for Migration Research and Development.
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2. Ekanayake, A. & Amirthalingam, K. (2021, April 15), "Struggles of (re)assimilation: The experience of young Sri Lankan refugee returnees from India", The Migrant.
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3. Ekanayake, A. (March 2021), "Stranded abroad: The harrowing tale of Sri Lankan migrant workers in the Middle East", The Migrant.
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4. Ekanayake, A. (2020, May 17), "Covid19 Pandemic and the Labour Migrants in the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) Region", The Migrant.
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5. Ekanayake, A., Abeysinghe, S., Sanguhan, Y., & Esufally, S. (2017), "Facilitating the Registration of Trademarks: A Step towards Creating Internationally Recognised Sri Lankan Brands"
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