Publications

LLRC Implementation Monitor – Statistical and Analytical Review No.2 – Special Report

Secure Land Tenure and Property Rights

The report discusses the main challenges faced by individuals and communities in the North and East and examines available solutions in terms of their effectiveness and feasibility. The report also presents a unique perceptual mapping of problems and solutions pertaining to land tenure in conflict-affected areas in the country. The mapping aims to inform decision-making relating to the prioritisation of future interventions.

Parliament should have a formula for regulating cigarettes

Variations in the tobacco excise tax affects Rs. 10s of billions in government revenue. Taxation and pricing has been inconsistent. The lack of a consistent method allows wide discretion to officials in determining the tax. Parliament should adopt a formula to keep taxation in line with national policy, treat stakeholders fairly, and prevent discretion from being abused.

Silent Suppression: Restrictions on Religious Freedoms of Christians 1994 – 2014

This research study on religious discrimination and violence targeting Christians in Sri Lanka is based on over 20 years of reports gathered by the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. The methodology used was created by Verité Research in 2013 as a form of classifying incidents reported by religious freedom groups into discernible categories as a way of understanding emerging trends in religious intolerance and violence.

Provincial Council Elections 2014

Sri Lanka’s Western and Southern provinces went to the polls on 29 March 2014. The report analyses political party performance across using historical, polling division and preferential vote data sets. It also uses socio-economic data to assess the the impact of social cleavages on voting.

CSO Sustainability Index 2014 Sri Lanka

The Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index (CSOSI) has been used since 1997 to assess the sustainability of the CSO sector. The Index has expanded considerably since its inception – it went from covering 18 countries in the Europe and Eurasia Region, to covering over 60 countries in different regions around the world. By using standard indicators and collecting data each year, the CSOSI enables users to track developments and identify trends in the CSO sector over time while allowing for cross-country and cross-region comparison. It is used by CSO advocates, development partners, and academics to assess international and regional trends in the civil society sector and to identify common obstacles impeding the sector’s sustainability, such as the legal environment, organizational capacity, and financial viability. This is the first time Sri Lanka is participating in the index. Verité Research is the local implementing partner for the CSOSI.

USD 20 billion export target by 2020: Aiming to be mediocre

Sri Lanka hopes to increase export revenue to USD 20 bn by 2020. This target is perceived as ambitious; but, compared to the country’s growth targets and the performance of regional peers, it is mediocre. This Insight explains that to be confident of setting and achieving ambitious export targets, Sri Lanka must go beyond symptomatic remedies and address the root causes of underlying problems with its export strategy.

LLRC Implementation Monitor: Statistical and Analytical Review No. 2 – Constructive Recommendations

Sri Lanka’s International Trade: Performance and Prognosis

Sri Lanka’s International Trade: Performance and Prognosis analyses Sri Lanka’s international trade with special reference to its trade deficit, apparel sector and tea exports. It also analyses and evaluates the policies and structural issues Sri Lanka’s trade faces.

Education inequality and affirmative action: Towards a better estimation

The working paper was presented at the CEPA Annual Poverty Symposium held in September 2013. The education sector had witnessed an overall decline in terms of budgetary allocations, and was also subject to inequality in distribution of educational opportunities within the country. Education inequality has implications for addressing poverty alleviation and equitable development through education.