Dr. N. S. Cooray is a Professor of Economics and the Associate Dean of the Graduate School of International Relations, International University of Japan (IUJ). He was former Director of International Peace Studies Program of IUJ. Before joining IUJ, he was a Research Associate and co-ordinated projects on Sustainable Development Framework for Indonesia and Eco-system Frameworks for Small Island States at the United Nations University/Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU/IAS). He was a UN Researcher at the United National Centre for Regional Development before joining the UNU/IAS. He has worked in Sri Lanka as a Teacher, a Lecturer and a Wharf Manager at the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment (CWE). He holds a BA (honours), Diploma in Economic Development, MA and Ph.D., all in economics. His publications include many referred articles, several book chapters and several edited volumes. Research interests include sustainable development related issues, international political economy, peace and development, macroeconomic policy, and econometric modelling and forecasting.

He is currently the founding President of the Association of Sri Lankan Academics in Japan (SLAcJ). Cooray was a Visiting Fellow/Researcher at the Tokyo University, Japan; The Australian National University; and University of Sussex, England. As a visiting faculty, he has taught/teach at the University of Colombo; SANASA University, Sri Lanka; University of Sophia; National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); University of Tsukuba; University of Nagoya; and Yokkaichi University. He has more than 30 years of teaching, research, training, and administrative experience.