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Item The Impact of New Processing Plant of North Lanka Family Food (Pvt.) Limited (MA’S Foods) on the Farmer Community in the Northern Region(Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, 2018-11) Thibbotuwawa, ManojMA’S Foods, one of the leading firms in Sri Lanka’s food processing industry, has built its new processing plant in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka which is an area that was seriously affected by the civil war. This plant is operated under North Lanka Family Food (Pvt.) Limited (NFF) focusing on developing the livelihood of the farmers and citizens in the Northern Province. Resettled Northern farmers who restarted cultivations are having issues on potential markets and quality of their outputs due to various reasons. MA’S Foods has started a project to source approximately 150 farmers across the province, and train them on sustainable farming practices for a period of two years, with a goal to eventually help them obtain organic and fair trade certification. The main objectives of this study is to undertake the baseline survey in order to get a detailed understanding of the current situation of the farmer community in the province, specifically the ones identified to be a part of the organic & fair-trade certification program and to collect data necessary to monitor changes in market access, changes in employment opportunities & adaptability of sustainable farming by Northern farmers. Moreover, key informant interviews were conducted with relevant officials to get diverse views and concerns. Socio-economic conditions of both farmer groups are almost similar with a considerable level of poverty among sample farmers. Survey could identify few bottlenecks faced by these farmers such as, difficulties in getting fertilizer subsidy & bank loans due to lack of land ownership, water scarcity during dry months, droughts and poor access to inputs and services. Modern farming techniques and value addition in agriculture is rarely practiced in these areas. Therefore the study could identify the need of training and awareness programs on sustainable farming including adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and proper post-harvest operations to ensure the quality of the product throughout the value chain. Training with financial support and linkages to markets is essential. The private sector companies could cooperate with the state institutes such as the Department of Agriculture, Institute of Post-Harvest Technology to provide relevant technical support required for the farmers to implement good agricultural and post-harvest practices as well as to use new technologies to move upper levels of the value chain.Item Proceedings of the International Conference on Innovative Model for Inclusive and Sustainable Agribusiness Development through Public Private Producer Partnerships (4Ps)(IFAD, 2018-03-21) Thibbotuwawa, ManojIn partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Government is supporting a more modern approach to agricultural and rural transformation – one that is market-oriented, producer-oriented, promotes technological innovations, and leverages investment and financing from the private sector and financial (banking) sector. The recently completed IFAD-financed National Agribusiness Development Programme (NADeP) and the current ongoing Smallholder Agribusiness Partnerships Programme (SAP) encompass these principles. The public sector is facilitating mutually beneficial (win-win) Public-Private-Producer Partnerships (4Ps) between smallholder farmers and private companies in response to clear market opportunities. This is achieved by strategically combining public and private sector funds and advice to address smallholders’ needs in terms of access to market, technology, organization and scale, good agricultural practices, and affordable credit; and by creating a favorable policy and regulatory environment for the agribusiness and financial sector to expand outreach towards rural clients and become overall more competitive. The private sector is also increasingly demonstrating willingness to partner with smallholder producers to respond to these market opportunities. Subsequently, NADeP has brokered and delivered 17 inclusive value chain projects, pioneering the 4P model in Sri Lanka, with notable impact on rural smallholder income and livelihood conditions. The main objective of the knowledge-sharing conference was to share innovative solutions in terms of instruments, structure and 4P modalities that enable small producers and small enterprises to improve their food security, income and livelihood conditions, whilst contributing to overall rural transformation.Item Sri Lanka Voluntary National Review on the Status of Implementing Sustainable Development Goals(Ministry of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development, 2018-06) Ministry of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional DevelopmentSri Lanka has achieved a high-level of human development and many successes under the Millennium Development Goals, particularly in terms of health, education, and poverty. The conclusion of the three decades long conflict in 2009 has led the country to a period of peace and prosperity. Sri Lanka has demonstrated its commitment to global efforts on sustainable development by being a signatory to several environment-related international treaties and conventions including the Paris Climate Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Management. Since the endorsement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Government of Sri Lanka has undertaken several initiatives to facilitate its implementation in the country. These include: the establishment of a dedicated ministry for sustainable development as the focal point for coordinating, facilitating and reporting on the implementation of the SDGs; the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee for Sustainable Development to provide political leadership for the implementation of the SDGs; and the enactment of the Sustainable Development Act No. 19 of 2017 to provide the legal framework for implementing the SDGs. In compliance with the provisions of the 2030 Agenda declaration, Sri Lanka expressed interest in presenting its first Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the July 2018 High-level Political Forum (HLPF). Sri Lanka’s VNR process was a collaborative and inclusive process that involved multi-stakeholder engagement. The Sri Lanka VNR examines the policy and enabling environment of the country vis-à-vis implementation of the SDGs and provides an analysis of the current status and trends, gaps and challenges, and the way forward for all the 17 SDGs. The current policy framework of the country further reflects the country’s commitment to sustainable development. Sri Lanka’s strategic development framework, reflected through its long-term development plan, Vision 2025, its medium-term plan, the Public Investment Programme 2017-2020, and the ‘Blue Green’ Budget of 2018 align significantly with the SDGs. Given the rising environmental challenges faced by the country, especially due to climate induced disasters in recent years, the focal SDGs of HLPF 2018, the SDGs 6, 7, 11, 12, and 15 bear a special significance to Sri Lanka. As such, the VNR reviews these SDGs in detail. Sri Lanka has made notable achievements in its path towards becoming a resilient society, including the high coverage of water supply from safe sources and sanitation facilities, near universal electrification, and increasing the share of population living in permanent houses. There is growing national interest in sustainable consumption and production patterns. Sri Lanka is also endowed with a rich profile of biodiversity that has led the country to being identified among the 35 global biodiversity hotspots. However, the growing dependence on fossil fuel imports for transportation and energy supply, increasing vulnerability of urban centres and communities to disaster risks and the degradation forest and land resources pose challenges on the path to resilience. Sri Lanka is taking several measures to accelerate the implementation of SDGs. In terms of financing the SDGs, the country has recognized the need to improve domestic revenue collection capacity and is in fact taking action to simplify the tax structure while broadening the tax base. Recognising the need for transformation into a more innovative, knowledge-based economy, Sri Lanka is currently aiming at improving the technology and digitalization sectors. In addition, Sri Lanka has undertaken initiatives with regard to awareness raising and capacity building, in order to ensure that the implementation of the SDGs is an inclusive endeavour.Item Sri Lanka Voluntary National Review on the Status of Implementing Sustainable Development Goals(Ministry of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development, 2018-06) Ministry of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional DevelopmentSri Lanka has achieved a high-level of human development and many successes under the Millennium Development Goals, particularly in terms of health, education, and poverty. The conclusion of the three decades long conflict in 2009 has led the country to a period of peace and prosperity. Sri Lanka has demonstrated its commitment to global efforts on sustainable development by being a signatory to several environment-related international treaties and conventions including the Paris Climate Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Management. Since the endorsement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Government of Sri Lanka has undertaken several initiatives to facilitate its implementation in the country. These include: the establishment of a dedicated ministry for sustainable development as the focal point for coordinating, facilitating and reporting on the implementation of the SDGs; the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee for Sustainable Development to provide political leadership for the implementation of the SDGs; and the enactment of the Sustainable Development Act No. 19 of 2017 to provide the legal framework for implementing the SDGs. In compliance with the provisions of the 2030 Agenda declaration, Sri Lanka expressed interest in presenting its first Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the July 2018 High-level Political Forum (HLPF). Sri Lanka’s VNR process was a collaborative and inclusive process that involved multi-stakeholder engagement. The Sri Lanka VNR examines the policy and enabling environment of the country vis-à-vis implementation of the SDGs and provides an analysis of the current status and trends, gaps and challenges, and the way forward for all the 17 SDGs. The current policy framework of the country further reflects the country’s commitment to sustainable development. Sri Lanka’s strategic development framework, reflected through its long-term development plan, Vision 2025, its medium-term plan, the Public Investment Programme 2017-2020, and the ‘Blue Green’ Budget of 2018 align significantly with the SDGs. Given the rising environmental challenges faced by the country, especially due to climate induced disasters in recent years, the focal SDGs of HLPF 2018, the SDGs 6, 7, 11, 12, and 15 bear a special significance to Sri Lanka. As such, the VNR reviews these SDGs in detail. Sri Lanka has made notable achievements in its path towards becoming a resilient society, including the high coverage of water supply from safe sources and sanitation facilities, near universal electrification, and increasing the share of population living in permanent houses. There is growing national interest in sustainable consumption and production patterns. Sri Lanka is also endowed with a rich profile of biodiversity that has led the country to being identified among the 35 global biodiversity hotspots. However, the growing dependence on fossil fuel imports for transportation and energy supply, increasing vulnerability of urban centres and communities to disaster risks and the degradation forest and land resources pose challenges on the path to resilience. Sri Lanka is taking several measures to accelerate the implementation of SDGs. In terms of financing the SDGs, the country has recognized the need to improve domestic revenue collection capacity and is in fact taking action to simplify the tax structure while broadening the tax base. Recognising the need for transformation into a more innovative, knowledge-based economy, Sri Lanka is currently aiming at improving the technology and digitalization sectors. In addition, Sri Lanka has undertaken initiatives with regard to awareness raising and capacity building, in order to ensure that the implementation of the SDGs is an inclusive endeavour.Item Impact of Trade on Employment(2018) Arunatilake, NishaItem Sri Lanka’s Macroeconomic Challenges from a Perspective of Twin Deficits(2023-07-11) Weerakoon, DushniThe Sri Lankan economy demonstrates a high degree of macroeconomic volatility and instability as evident from its regular programmes with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Despite their related conditionalities on structural reforms, fiscal and external sector consolidation, it is apparent that such reforms have failed to take root. In that context, the rest of the paper examines the underlying causes of the twin deficit phenomenon in Sri Lanka, the policy responses adopted, and the challenges yet to be overcome if the country is to place its economy on a more sustainable growth path.Item Sri Lanka’s Macroeconomic Challenges from a Perspective of Twin Deficits(2023-07-11) Weerakoon, DushniThe Sri Lankan economy demonstrates a high degree of macroeconomic volatility and instability as evident from its regular programmes with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Despite their related conditionalities on structural reforms, fiscal and external sector consolidation, it is apparent that such reforms have failed to take root. In that context, the rest of the paper examines the underlying causes of the twin deficit phenomenon in Sri Lanka, the policy responses adopted, and the challenges yet to be overcome if the country is to place its economy on a more sustainable growth path.Item Macroeconomic Challenges 2006‐2016(2023-07-11) Weerakoon, DushniWith GDP growth relying on construction and related activities, private consumption was the main driver of growth while tradeable goods production stagnated. As the country’s debt service ratio climbed steadily, Sri Lanka is faced with a growing external debt problem in the face of prolonged dip in export earnings growth and non‐debt creating FDI inflows. If the economy is to escape the vicious cycle of fiscal dominance in macroeconomic policy setting – leading often times to high inflation, interest rates and an unfavourable exchange rate dynamic – then steps towards fiscal consolidation is a must. Adjustments on the macroeocnomic policy front need to be accompanied by deregulatory reforms to address export competitiveness and generate a more conducive investor environment to further support debt sustainability.Item Policy Research Institutions at the Health SDGs: Building Momentum in South Asia(2023-07-11) Ellepola, YolanthikaThis is a preliminary study to understand the national level preparedness towards achieving health related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Sri Lanka. This study highlights the government’s commitment towards achieving health related SDGs and examines the current role of several key stakeholders involved in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the health related SDGs. In particular, the role of health policy research institutions in achieving health related SDGs is discussed in some detail. The study further elaborates some of the impending challenges in implementation and monitoring of health related SDGs in the country. The study was conducted predominantly using a qualitative analysis approach where data was obtained through desk review, key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs). This analysis was however supplemented by the use of quantitative data through publicly available sources such as reports and government policy documents. The data was collected and coded thematically and triangulated with the desk review for accuracy. Ethical issues of privacy and confidentiality were also considered.Item Are there Good Quality Teachers for All Classrooms in Sri Lanka?(Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, 2017) Abayasekara, Ashani; Arunatilake, NishaHighly qualified teachers in all classrooms are necessary for implementing education reforms aimed at modernizing and improving education in the country. Using School Census data for 2016, this study examines the adequacy of teachers for teaching mathematics, English and science at the secondary level in Sri Lanka, across provinces, and across different school categories. The study also analyses the distribution of government expenditure on teacher salaries across different types of schools. The study finds that although the available number of teachers for different subjects is sufficient at the national level, the available in-field and experienced teachers are inadequate to meet the current demand for such teachers. The study further finds that the deployment of teachers and the distribution of public expenditure on qualified teacher salaries are not equal across different categories of schools.Item Changing Landscape of Development Finance in Post-Conflict Sri Lanka(Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, 2018) Hewage, Kithmina; Weerasekera, HariniThis paper seeks to analyze the contribution of south-south cooperation towards foreign financial assistance to Sri Lanka. Based on disaggregated data into the sources of development assistance from other countries, the paper highlights some distinct differences in source and purpose based on the donor. Finally, the paper takes a more specific look into development assistance from India and China, two of the most prominent development partners in Sri Lanka.Item Increasing Women's Participation in the Labour Force(Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, 2018) National Institute for Labour StudiesThe low labour force participation of females has been a pressing problem for policy makers in Sri Lanka. Many scholars have looked at this problem from a supply side point of view. This study aims to identify the demand side issues in promoting female labour force participation, through an employer perception survey. The results of the study show that females self-select into certain occupations and industries. Hence, there is a better chance in enticing females to participate in those industries. Policies should encourage such industries with labour shortage to provide incentives to attract female workers. Training females targeting those industries and training employers in the importance of providing female friendly working spaces and working conditions can improve female labour force participation.Item What Prevents Equitable Access to Tertiary Education in Sri Lanka?(Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, 2018) Arunatilake, Nisha; Jayawardena, Priyanka; Abayasekara, AshaniThe project proposes to identify whether free education has resulted in improving access to tertiary education to all. It also proposes to assess how inequalities in access to tertiary education result in inequalities in employment outcomes.Item Doing Good Index 2018(2023-07-11) Hewage, KithminaThe inaugural Doing Good Index examines the enabling environment for philanthropy and private social investment across 15 Asian economies. Composed of four areas–tax and fiscal policy, regulatory regimes, socio-cultural ecosystem, and government procurement–the Index reveals how Asian economies are catalyzing philanthropic giving.Item A Desk Review to Assess the Sri Lankan Girls' and Young Women's Economic and Social Empowerment for Leadership(Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, 2017) Madurawala, Sunimalee; Arunatilake, Nisha; Madushni, Chethika; Karunaratne, NiroshaThe causes of women’s less political participation and less managerial positions held by women, and low levels of participation in the labour market, have not been analysed around political economic and social empowerment of girls and young women (i.e. girl’s participation in leadership and decision making at every level in order to catalyse the girls rights movement and bring about change) in Sri Lanka. At the same time, it will be beneficial for Girls and also the duty bearers to explore the policy / program and evidence points around the benefits of promoting more female social and economic empowerment from early childhood (norms and stereotypes) through to employment and later to elections and political parties (quotas, voting age etc.). In Sri Lanka there is very less evidence based research that highlights the causes of gender inequality and barriers to Girls empowerment and leadership. In this backdrop, this study aims to investigate the challenges faced by Sri Lankan Girls’ and Young Women - in social and economic spheres- for leadership roles. The methodology of this study took a qualitative approach, including a scan of national strategic documents, national policies, political and legal frameworks, development programmes of international agencies, complemented with consultations with government partners, corporates and community members, to gather insights and perspectives of the deep rooted challenges face by Girls and Young Women in Sri Lanka to take on leadership roles and engage in decision making. The consultations held nationally and in 5 representative Districts (Colombo, Anuradhapura, Monaragala, Batticaloa and Nuwara Eliya) demonstrate that gender inequality is felt across by the communities, as an important aspect of their community. Nevertheless, their varying degrees of understanding the subtle nuances of gender inequality and how that affects Girls future were based on their levels of awareness and deep analysis of these factors.Item Living Wage Report Sri Lanka Estate Sector(2023-07-11) Thibbotuwawa, Manoj; Jayawardena, Priyanka; Arunatilake, Nisha; Gunasekera, NelukaThis report estimates a living wage for the workers in the estate sector (tea plantation industry) in Sri Lanka in December 2015. The study uses the Anker methodology to estimate the living wage (Anker, 2005; Anker & Anker, 2017). This methodology has been widely used in developing countries to estimate living wages internationally. This methodology has been used to estimate living wages in urban, rural, and non-metropolitan urban settings for the GLWC with 23 living wage estimates published or scheduled for publishing in the next two months, spanning geographies in 13 countries. This work is an expansion of earlier work by the Ankers in urban areas for a multi-national corporation spanning ten countries. Our take-home pay net living wage estimates for tea pluckers for December 2015 in the estate sector in Sri Lanka is LKR 19,126 per month and LKR 21,585 gross living wage per month after adding mandatory deductions. Our living wage estimates are much higher than the official poverty line wage for Sri Lanka (LKR 8,236) and the PPP adjusted World Bank extreme poverty line wage (LKR 6,170). Most importantly, our living wage is well above the World Bank poverty line of $3.1 per day wage per month (LKR 10,067). It is clear that both the Sri Lankan official poverty line wage and World Bank poverty lines wages are too low to provide sufficient income to afford a basic living wage. The gross living wage estimate is considerably higher than the current wage given by the existing cash wage salary package of the tea pluckers, which we estimate is equivalent to LKR 16,022 per month. The final prevailing wage after considering in-kind benefits (LKR 16,971) still leaves a monthly wage gap of LKR 4,613 (LKR 185/day) relative to our estimated living wage of LKR 21,585. Finding this difference is not surprising as estate sector workers have traditionally been considered as one of the poorest communities in Sri Lanka, having low living conditions. Even though, there have been significant improvements over the years, the living conditions of the tea estate community are still not up to standard, in spite of recent wage improvements.Item Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaptation in Agriculture Sector in Sri Lanka: Assessing Loss and Damages due to Climate-Induced Disasters - Technical Report(2023-07-11) Senaratne, Athula; Wickramasinghe, KanchanaClimate change is likely to increase the vulnerability of agriculture sector, which is inherently a risk-prone activity. Both, changing patterns of climate and extreme climate events, could result in losses and damages to agriculture thereby increasing livelihood risks faced by farmers and business risk of agricultural firms. Those losses and damages can cause severe economic and social impacts over millions of farmers, especially in developing countries where farming is the main livelihood. The overall objective of the study is to understand the linkages between disaster risk management and climate change adaptation for reducing losses and damages incurred by the agriculture sector due to climate related disasters. The study aims to: identify the vulnerability of agriculture sector in Sri Lanka to losses and damages due to extreme events, slow-onset disasters and anomalies in familiar patterns of climate variability; explore methodological approaches developed for assessing losses and damages and identify suitable approaches that can be adapted to cater the needs of agriculture sector in Sri Lanka, and; identify ways for establishing baselines for the current losses and damages caused by climate related disasters on the agriculture sector, demonstrating the applicability of selected approaches to assess loss and damages.Item Mainstreaming Climate Change into Urban Planning and Policy(2023-07-11) Senaratne, Athula; Wickramasinghe, KanchanaUrban centers are hubs of economic and social development activities that make them also hotspots of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. On the other hand, concentration of human activity and built environment render them highly vulnerable to anomalies in climate with serious repercussions on human lives and economic properties. Hence, urban sector is a key sector that needs policy attention in regard to climate change. In this backdrop, the current study examined the evolving relationship between climate change and urban development in Sri Lanka with the aim of identifying suitable framework to incorporate climate change issues into urban planning policy of the country. The study approach involved reviewing policies, assessing the gaps and identifying policies and measures. The methodology included a desk review of policy documents and other relevant secondary information; three consultation meetings on adaptation, mitigation and loss and damage dimensions; key informant interviews and a spatial analysis. The study provides general recommendations for mainstreaming climate change and area specific recommendations for mitigation, adaptation and disaster risk management.Item Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaptation in Agriculture Sector in Sri Lanka: Policy Directions for Devsing a Mechanism for Assessing Losses and Damages(2023-07-11) Senaratne, Athula; Senaratne, Athula; Wickramasinghe, KanchanaAgriculture sector is one of the most vulnerable sectors to impacts of climate change in Sri Lanka. Increased incidences of extreme events such as floods, droughts and landslides as well as slow-onset impacts such as rising temperature and anomalies in rainfall patterns affect the performance of agriculture sector. Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector is comprised of two broad subsectors, namely, food security subsector and export agriculture subsector. Recent experience indicates that climate related hazards pose a significant threat on production, farm assets and livelihoods associated with both subsectors. The report deals with Sri Lanka’s loss and damage NDCs with special focus on agriculture sector, which has been identified as one of the most vulnerable sectors to losses and damages due to climate change impacts. One objective of the study is to identify policy directions for linking ongoing disaster risk management and climate change adaptation interventions through the means of establishing a mechanism for assessing losses and damages due to extreme events, slow-onset disasters and climate anomalies. A dedicated policy analysis was carried out to achieve this objective. The specific aims of this analysis are to review existing policies in Sri Lanka for management of disaster risks and adaptation to climate change impacts in agriculture sector, examine the prospects for assessing losses and damages due to climate related disasters on agriculture to strengthen disaster risk management and climate change adaptation and to suggest suitable policy directions to improve resilience of agriculture sector through devising a mechanism for assessing losses and damages.Item Bridging Skills for Employment in Sri Lanka(2023-07-11) Jayawardena, PriyankaTo meet the emerging needs of Sri Lanka’s labour market, the education system now needs substantial modernization to equip workers to think and act creatively, work industriously and productively, and be able to innovate and adapt to available technologies to strengthen economic activities. Sri Lankan education system faces new challenges in improving the quality and relevance of education to equip workers with evolving skills demanded in a more globalized world. With existing public finance constraints and limited private sector participation, addressing these education sector needs to align with changing needs of a dynamic labour market is a major challenge. The objective of this paper is to analyze the existing education system in Sri Lanka and identifying the priority areas to be addressed.