Arutha is a research and civic education organisation dedicated to making economics meaningful. Through research and economic civic education, it breaks down complex issues so that citizens can understand and help shape their economic future. Arutha began as Default.lk, an initiative to document the 2022 Sri Lankan economic crisis. What started as an effort to explain and archive soon evolved into a broader movement to build economic literacy, train journalists, and conduct research. Arutha researches, analyses and communicates insights on Sri Lanka’s economy. Grounded in a political economic approach, its publications decode economics. It centres its work on civic education initiatives that strengthen economic understanding. Its approach to economics is pragmatic, guided by evidence rather than ideology. It focuses on solutions grounded in facts, reason, and context.

Contact details

Website:
https://arutharesearch.org/

Address:
129, Pepiliwala Road, Mabulgoda, Pannipitiya, Sri Lanka

Country:
Sri Lanka

Sub-region:
Southern Asia

Areas of focus

Geographics of focus
Sri Lanka
Operating languages
English , Other

Organisation details

Business model
Non-profit
Year founded
2022
Institutional affiliations
No affiliation
Founded by
Founders: Yolani Fernando, Rehana Thowfeek, Umesh Moramudali
Founder gender: Both male & female co-founders
Leadership
Leader(s) (2025): Yolani Fernando
Leader gender: Female
Staff size
2025
Arutha
8
Sri Lanka average
24
Global average
87
% Female staff
2025
Arutha
75%
Sri Lanka average
57%
Global average
50%
Age (years)
Arutha
4
Sri Lanka average
31
Global average
33
% Female researchers
2025
Arutha
83%
Sri Lanka average
62%
Global average
47%

Organisational performance

Publications
2024
Arutha
7
Sri Lanka average
6
Global average
57

Social

Twitter
Followers (2025)
Arutha
773
Sri Lanka average
2,959
Global average
19,789
Subscribers (2025)
Arutha
701
Sri Lanka average
3,128
Global average
7,405
Instagram
Followers (2025)
Arutha
1,619
Sri Lanka average
4,011
Global average
18,493
Followers (2025)
Arutha
2,000
Sri Lanka average
4,685
Global average
15,800

Data notes

Last updated: 19/01/2026
Rating of data accuracy (find out more) : OTT reviewed
Data sources consulted: Information supplied by organisation, Organisation´s website, Organisation's social media accounts
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