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Southern Voice Southern Voice Southern Voice Southern Voice Southern Voice

Occasional Paper Series

National Level Implications of SDG Implementation

The Case of Sri Lanka

Ganga TilakaratnaWimal Nanayakkara

Sunimalee MadurawalaSuwendrani Jayaratne

Kanchana Wickramasinghe

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NATIONAL LEVEL IMPLICATIONS OFSDG IMPLEMENTATION

The Case of Sri Lanka

Southern Voice Occasional Paper 41

Ganga TilakaratnaWimal Nanayakkara

Sunimalee MadurawalaSuwendrani Jayaratne

Kanchana Wickramasinghe

Dr Ganga Tilakaratna is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS), Colombo. She can be reached at: [email protected]

Mr Wimal Nanayakkara is a Senior Visiting Fellow at the IPS. He can be reached at: [email protected]

Ms Sunimalee Madurawala is a Research Officer at the IPS. She can be reached at: [email protected]

Ms Suwendrani Jayaratne is a former Research Officer at the IPS. She can be reached at: [email protected]

Ms Kanchana Wickremasinghe is a Research Economist at the IPS. She can be reached at: [email protected]

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Publisher

Southern Voice on Post-MDG International Development GoalsWebsite: www.southernvoice.orgE-mail: [email protected]

Secretariat: Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)House - 6/2 (7th & 8th floors), Block - FKazi Nazrul Islam Road, Lalmatia Housing EstateDhaka - 1207, BangladeshTelephone: (+88 02) 9141734, 9141703, 9126402, 9143326 & 8124770Fax: (+88 02) 8130951; E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.cpd.org.bd

First Published March 2017© Southern Voice on Post-MDG International Development Goals

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Southern Voice on the Post-MDG International Development Goals or CPD or any other organisation(s) that the authors are affiliated with.

ISSN 2307-9827 (Online)ISSN 2307-681X (Print)

EditorDebapriya Bhattacharya, PhDChair, Southern Voice on Post-MDG International Development Goalsand Distinguished Fellow, CPDE-mail: [email protected]

Cover Design Avra Bhattacharjee

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Preface

Southern Voice on Post-MDG International Development Goals is a network of 49 think tanks from Africa, Asia and Latin America. Since its inception in 2012, it has served as an open platform to provide structured inputs from the global South into the negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, with a view to address the ‘knowledge asymmetry’ and ‘participation deficit’ that usually afflict such global discussions.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was finally adopted at the Seventieth Session of the UN General Assembly on 25 September 2015 by the Member States. With the 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) placed as oncoming development priorities, Southern Voice is currently working to examine national experiences in meeting the early challenges of delivering the 2030 Agenda.

The research programme titled National Level Implication of Implementing SDGs is based on call for proposals among its network members, and through a peer process eleven country studies were commissioned for nine countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America. The broad areas of concern of the country papers are the following: (i) investigate the means of mainstreaming the SDGs into national planning process, within the context of its national priorities; (ii) explore the adequacy of coordination, management and leadership of the SDG implementation process, including the monitoring and evaluation mechanism; (iii) examine the adequacy of financing and other specific means of implementation for the SDGs; (iv) investigate the extent of partnerships and stakeholder participation, including institutional arrangements for implementing the SDGs; and (v) evaluate the capacity of the national statistical agencies and other data-related issues.

This country paper on Sri Lanka titled National Level Implications of SDG Implementation: The Case of Sri Lanka is the eighth of the eleven country studies to be published under the Southern Voice Occasional Paper Series. The study has been authored by Dr Ganga Tilakaratna, Research Fellow; Mr Wimal Nanayakkara, Senior Visiting Fellow; Ms Sunimalee Madurawala, Research Officer; Ms Suwendrani Jayaratne, former Research Officer; and Ms Kanchana Wickremasinghe, Research Economist at the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS), Colombo.

The study examines the global SDGs and their relevance to Sri Lanka, and found most of them are in-line with the priority areas in the country. It identified challenges such as absence of gender-based budgeting system, diminishing level of donor funds and concessionary loans to the country, and inadequate awareness among many stakeholders in implementing the goals. Based on the findings, the study proposes a number of early actions including establishment of a focal point, and a national level committee/council to facilitate implementation and monitoring of the SDGs in the country.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation towards Southern Voice, particularly of Dr Ruth Levine, Programme Director and Ms Sarah Lucas, Programme Officer of the Global Development and Population Programme, at the Hewlett Foundation.

In connection to the publication of this paper, contribution of Ms Umme Shefa Rezbana, Senior Research Associate, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and the focal point at the Southern Voice Secretariat for overseeing the programme is highly appreciated. Ms Tarannum Jinan, Administrative Associate, CPD is acknowledged for

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providing useful contribution in following-up of the country papers. Ms Farah Nusrat, Publication Associate, CPD provided assistance in processing of the publication. I would also like to thank Ms Erin Palmer for her editorial inputs and feedback.

Hoping that the paper will be a useful addition to the ongoing discussion on challenges of implementing SDGs in developing countries.

Dhaka, BangladeshMarch 2017

Debapriya Bhattacharya, PhDChair, Southern Voice on Post-MDG International Development Goals

andDistinguished Fellow, CPD

E-mail: [email protected]


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Sri Lanka is one of the signatories of the UN mandate on Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) comprise 17 goals and 169 targets, ranging from poverty, inequality, health, education and environment. This paper examines the implications of SDG implementation in Sri Lanka, in particular how the SDGs are embedded in the national context, and issues related to coordination, monitoring, partnerships and stakeholder participation. It reveals that most of the SDGs and their targets are relevant to Sri Lanka, and are in line with the priority areas. The study stresses the need of a designated national-level body to coordinate activities carried out by different stakeholders and to drive implementation and monitoring of the SDGs in Sri Lanka. Participation of a range of stakeholders, including the government, international organisations, private sector and civil society organisations, academia and general public, is crucial for the successful implementation of SDGs. Inadequacy of awareness of the SDGs among many stakeholders and the general public is a key constraint to the effective implementation of the SDGs. Partnership and stakeholder participation can play an important role in raising awareness and monitoring of SDGs, sharing knowledge/expertise, as well as in mobilising financial and technical resources. Monitoring the progress of SDGs will also require strengthening the capacity of the national statistics office and other relevant agencies involved in the data compilation.

Abstract

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Contents

Preface iiiAbstract vAcronyms ix

1. Introduction 1

2. Integration and Mainstreaming of the SDGs in the National Planning Process in view of the National 2 Priorities

3. Coordination, Management and Leadership of the SDGs Implementation Process including the 18 Monitoring Mechanism

4. Adequacy of Financing and other Means of Implementation of SDGs in Sri Lanka 19

5. Partnership and Stakeholder Participation including Institutional Arrangements 20

6. Capacity of the National Statistical Agencies and other Data-related Issues 21

7. Conclusions 24

References 26

List of Tables

Table 1: Relevance of the SDGs to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 7 – Ensure Access to Affordable, 3 Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy for AllTable 2: Relevance of the SDGs to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 12 – Ensure Sustainable 3 Consumption and Production PatternsTable 3: Relevance of the SDGs to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 13 – Take Urgent Action to Combat 4 Climate Change and its ImpactsTable 4: Relevance of the SDGs to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 3 – Ensure Healthy Lives and 5 Promote Well-being for All at All AgesTable 5: Relevance of the SDGs to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 4 – Ensure Inclusive and Equitable 7 Quality Education and Promote Lifelong Learning Opportunities for AllTable 6: Relevance of the SDGs to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 8 – Promote Sustained, Inclusive and 8 Sustainable Economic Growth, Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work for AllTable 7: Relevance of the SDGs to the Sri Lanka Context: Goal 2 – End Hunger, Achieve Food 10 Security and Improved Nutrition and Promote Sustainable AgricultureTable 8: Relevance of the SDGs to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 9 – Build Resilient Infrastructure, 11 Promote Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization and Foster InnovationTable 9: Relevance of the SDGS to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 5 – Achieve Gender Equality and 13 Empower All Women and GirlsTable 10: Relevance of the SDGS to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 16 – Promote Peaceful and 14 Inclusive Societies for Sustainable Development, Provide Access to Justice for All and Build Effective, Accountable and Inclusive Institutions at All Levels

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Table 11: Relevance of the SDGS to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 17 – Strengthen the Means of 16 Implementation and Revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

List of Annexes

Annex 1: Present Status of Required Data/Information to Monitor the Progress of SDGs Sri Lanka 29Annex 2: List of Interviewed Officials/Respondents 38


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Acronyms

10YFP 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns BIS Bank for International Settlements CAS Child Activity SurveyCBSL Central Bank of Sri LankaCDR Call Data RecordCEB Ceylon Electricity Board CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women COSTI Coordinating Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation CPR Contraceptive Prevalence RateCRC Convention on the Rights of the Child CSO Civil Society OrganisationDAC Development Assistance Committee DCS Department of Census and StatisticsDHS Demographic and Health SurveyDNP Department of National PlanningEU European Union FHB Family Health BureauGDP Gross Domestic ProductGHG Greenhouse GasGNI Gross National Income GSP Generalized System of PreferencesHARTI Hector Kobbekaduwa Research and Agrarian Training Institute HCR Headcount Ratio HIES Household Income and Expenditure SurveyIASB International Accounting Standards Board ICT Information and Communications TechnologyIFRS International Financial Reporting Standards ILO International Labour OrganizationIMF International Monetary Fund IMR Infant Mortality Rate IUU Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing LDC Least Developed Country LFS Labour Force SurveyMDG Millennium Development Goal MMR Maternal Mortality RateMNPEA Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs MWCA Ministry of Women and Child Affairs NCD Non-communicable Diseases NCED National Council for Economic DevelopmentNCPA National Child Protection Authority NHREP National Human Resources and Employment Policy

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ODA Official Development Assistance ODK Open Data Kit PGR Poverty Gap Ratio PHC Poverty Headcount PDV Prevention of Domestic ViolencePPP Public-Private Partnership RTA Road Traffic Accident R&D Research and Development RGD Registrar General Department SCP Sustainable Consumption and Production SDG Sustainable Development Goal SELAJ-SI Strengthening Enforcement of Law, Access to Justice and Social Integration SIDS Small Island Developing States SME Small and Medium Enterprise SPG Squired Poverty Gap TB Tuberculosis TFM Technology Facilitation Mechanism U5MR Under-5 Mortality Rate UN United NationsUNDP United Nations Development ProgrammeUNEP United Nations Environment ProgrammeUNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural OrganizationUNICEF United Nations Children’s FundUSA United States of AmericaUSD United States DollarWFP World Food ProgrammeWHO World Health Organization WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization WTO World Trade Organization


National Level Implications of SDG Implementation: Sri Lanka

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National Level Implications of SDG ImplementationThe Case of Sri Lanka

Ganga Tilakaratna*

Wimal NanayakkaraSunimalee Madurawala

Suwendrani JayaratneKanchana Wickramasinghe

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

In September 2000, 189 countries committed to achieving a set of eight development goals by 2015. These Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ranged from halving poverty, to achieving universal education, to promoting gender equality. The MDGs were revolutionary in providing a common framework for global agreement in key areas of development. As the due date for achieving them approached, a new process was launched to build on the momentum that had been generated. The resulting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), comprising 17 goals and 169 targets, were adopted in September 2015 by all United Nations (UN) Member States, including Sri Lanka. The finalised SDGs include ending poverty and hunger, ensuring healthy lives, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education, achieving gender equality, and several goals related to the environment, natural resources and climate change.

As Sri Lanka embarks on this new development agenda, it is imperative to examine critically the implications of SDG implementation at the national level, particularly the challenges faced by the government, such as those in the areas of coordination, monitoring, financing, capacity of relevant institutions, and data availability. Such analysis will enable policymakers and other stakeholders to make informed decisions about implementing the SDGs at the national level.

1.2 Objectives of the Study

The overall objective of the study is to analyse the implications of implementing the SDGs in Sri Lanka. The specific objectives include:

• Understanding how the SDGs will be embedded in the national context – whether the SDGs and their targets are relevant to the national context and how the Sri Lankan government will prioritise the 17 goals and 169 targets;

• Identifying the implementation challenges of the SDG, particularly in the areas of coordination, monitoring, financing, partnerships and stakeholder participation;

*The authors would like to thank all the government officials and other individuals who took the time to share their views and experiences on various aspects of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We also acknowledge the assistance of Chinthani Sooriyamudali in conducting the research.


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• Exploring the capacity of the national statistical office to monitor the progress of SDGs, availability of data sources to help monitoring the progress of the 17 goals and targets, and to identify any data gaps.

1.3 Methodology

The study took a qualitative approach primarily based on key informant interviews, group discussions and review of literature. In order to understand the relevance of SDGs to national context and how to make SDGs embedded in national development processes, key informant interviews and group discussions were carried out with various Ministries and Departments. These include the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Ministry of Labour and Trade Union Relations, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Social Empowerment and Welfare. In addition, various policy documents and reports were reviewed to identify government priorities and policies. Key informant interviews and group discussions with the officials of the above institutions, selected academia and researchers were carried out to identify the implementation challenges of the SDGs in the areas of coordination, monitoring and financing (see Annex 2 for a list of those interviewed). Moreover, various secondary data sources and reports were reviewed to understand the available data for SDGs and to identify data gaps.

The remainder of this report is set out in seven sections. Section 2 analyses the integration and mainstreaming of the SDGs in Sri Lanka’s planning process in terms of national priorities. Section 3 examines the arrangements for coordination, management and leadership of the implementation process. Section 4 discusses the adequacy of financing and other means of implementation of SDGs in the country. Section 5 discusses partnership and stakeholder participation for SDG implementation. Section 6 analyses the capacity of the national statistical agencies and other issues related to data availability. Section 7 summarises the conclusions of the study and sets out a number of recommendations for early actions on the SDG implementation in Sri Lanka.

2. Integration and Mainstreaming of the SDGs in the National Planning Process in view of the National Priorities

This section discusses the relevance of the SDGs to Sri Lanka’s national priorities. The goals are categorised under broad areas, which include - environment and natural resources, health, education, economic growth and employment, poverty, gender, infrastructure development and global partnerships.

2.1 Environment and Natural Resources

The final assessment of Sri Lanka’s performance in achieving the MDGs highlighted environmental issues as a key area requiring attention (United Nations, Sri Lanka, 2015). There are around five SDGs which mainly deal with environment and natural resource management. Broadly, these goals deal with energy, sustainable consumption and production, climate change, and ocean resources. In addition, environment-related indicators have been listed under other goals. For global environmental problems such as climate change, only national-level attempts will not be adequate. Such issues are to be addressed effectively through international collaborations.

As a whole, the SDGs that address environmental and natural resource issues are in line with Sri Lanka’s broad vision for the sector. The National Action Plan for Haritha (Green) Lanka has been developed to address the environmental issues in economic development in Sri Lanka. The Action Plan highlights the Government of Sri Lanka’s short-, medium- and long-term targets and performance indicators from 2009 to 2016 for addressing the country’s key environmental issues. It has ten broad areas: (a) clean air, (b) conservation of fauna, flora and ecosystems, (c) adapting to climate change, (d) coastal and marine management, (e) responsible use of land resources, (f) reduction of solid waste,


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(g) water quality and supply, (h) green cities for health and prosperity, (i) greening the industries, and (j) knowledge to support decision-making.

Table 1 indicates the targets in relation to Goal 7 which deals with sustainable energy.

The concept of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) is important in the Sri Lankan context, as mentioned in the National Action Plan for Haritha Lanka. In 2005, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources prepared a National Policy and Strategy on Cleaner Production. All the targets under SDG 12 are in line with that policy and other policies and strategies relevant to the environment sector, such as National Environment Policy. In addition, the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment is in the process of reviewing policies related to SCP. It also serves as the national focal point for implementing the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP) carried out by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which aims to promote SCP within policy-making mechanisms of South Asian countries. Table 2 presents the relevance of targets of the Goal 12 for Sri Lanka.

Table 2: Relevance of the SDGs to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 12 – Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns

Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context12.1: Implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries

Relevant to Sri Lanka; the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment serves as the national focal point for the implementation of the 10YFP carried out by the UNEP

12.2: By 2030, achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

Relevant to Sri Lanka; this aspect is being addressed via a number of policies and acts related to natural resource management

(Table 2 contd.)

Table 1: Relevance of the SDGs to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 7 – Ensure Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy for All

Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services

Sri Lanka aims to achieve 100 per cent electrification by 2016, which is achievable, according to energy experts consulted. This target is well ahead of those set for the SDGs

7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

This is a national priority in terms of achieving self-sufficiency in energy in Sri Lanka

7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

According to the experts consulted, energy efficiency has to be considered at sectorial level. This SDG target does not encompass sectorial energy efficiency improvement. However, energy efficiency is prioritised in Sri Lanka’s national energy policy, which aims to increase energy savings by up to 20 per cent by 2020

7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology

This target is not nationally relevant for Sri Lanka

7.b: By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support

This is in line with national energy priorities

Source: Based on interviews and secondary sources.


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Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses

Relevant to Sri Lanka

12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment

Relevant to Sri Lanka; the Central Environment Authority undertakes the activities relevant to the target

12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction recycling and reuse

Relevant to Sri Lanka

12.6: Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle

Relevant to Sri Lanka; a green reporting system is being implemented by the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment. Accordingly the companies can voluntarily get involved in the system

12.7: Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities

Cabinet approval has been granted in 2012 to formulate the Green Procurement Policy and Guidelines

12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature

Awareness creation is identified as an important aspect in the policies related to SCP


Sri Lanka is particularly vulnerable to impacts of global climate change, even though its contribution to causing the problem is negligible. Therefore, Sri Lanka’s current climate change policy focus is primarily on adaptation, rather than on reducing emissions through mitigation (Senaratne, Perera and Wickramasinghe, 2009). Table 3 shows the targets of Goal 13 to the Sri Lankan context.

SDG Goal 14, which focuses on sustainable use of coastal and marine resources, includes regionally and globally relevant indicators in addition to nationally relevant indicators. Some of the targets are

(Table 2 contd.)

Table 3: Relevance of the SDGs to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 13 – Take Urgent Action to Combat Climate Change and its Impacts

Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

These are relevant to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is currently in the process of mainstreaming climate change issues into its national development agendaThe government has already prepared a climate change policy and strategy, and is in the process of finalising its National Action Plan on Climate Change Adaptation

13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning13.3: improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

13.a: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible

Not relevant to Sri Lanka

13.b: Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities



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not of much relevance as per Sri Lanka’s current policy priorities. For instance, Target 14.3 (Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels) is not a national issue, but a regional one. Sri Lanka alone cannot minimise ocean acidity, especially since its contribution to the problem is minimal compared with the other countries in the region. Target 14.b (Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets) is also not very relevant for Sri Lanka. The country’s fisheries sector consists of a few small-scale artisanal fishers. All the indicators for Goal 14 are relevant to the national priorities to varying degrees. However, indicator 98 (Annual Report by Bank for International Settlements (BIS), International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Trade Organization (WTO) [other organisations to be added] on relationship between international rules and the SDGs and the implementation of relevant SDG targets) is beyond national priorities.

The targets for Goal 15 (Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss) is relevant to Sri Lanka’s national priorities for ecosystem management. Indicators under this Goal are nationally applicable, though there are data limitations in measuring them.

2.2 Health

Sri Lanka is well known for its success in making remarkable achievements in health-related MDGs. By 2015, Sri Lanka achieved or was on track to achieve all the indicators under MDG 4 (Reduce child mortality), MDG 5 (Improve maternal health), and MDG 6 (Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases), except for indicator 6.5 proportion of population with advanced HIV infection with access to antiretroviral drugs which comes under MDG 6 (United Nations, Sri Lanka, 2015). Sri Lanka’s health indicators are higher than most of its regional counterparts and are on par with most of the developed countries. However, the significant improvement in the health sector of Sri Lanka following independence is not solely due to efforts within the health sector itself. Public policies aimed at improving literacy, education attainment and food security also contributed into it (United Nations, Sri Lanka, 2015).

Goal 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages) is the sole SDG for health. It includes nine major targets and four sub-targets, and 14 indicators have been proposed by the UN to monitor progress (Sustainable Development Solutions Network, 2015). In broad terms, all these targets are in line with Sri Lanka’s national priorities for the health sector (see Table 4). At present, the country’s health system includes public and private healthcare services involving an extensive network of healthcare institutions. The majority of the population has easy access to a reasonable level of healthcare (Ministry of Health Sri Lanka, 2012). However, the government plays the major role, bearing sole responsibility for preventive care and providing 95 per cent of in-patient and 50 per cent of

Table 4: Relevance of the SDGs to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 3 – Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote Well-being for All at All Ages

Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births

According to the MDG Country Report Sri Lanka 2014, maternal mortality ratio (deaths per 100,000 live births) was 7.4 in 2009 based on the estimates of the Department of Register General. However, Family Health Bureau (FHB) estimates that the maternal mortality rate was 33.3 in 2010. Although both estimations are well below the 2030 SDG target, still this target can be considered as relevant to Sri Lanka. Ongoing programmes have to continue in order to maintain the present status, and new programmes should be introduced to bring down the maternal mortality further down. Further, although the national-level data are at a satisfactory level, there are regional disparities and these also should be addressed under the SDG commitment

(Table 4 contd.)


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out-patient care. The Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine is the agency responsible for formulating and implementing the country’s policies, programmes and projects. With its vision of “a healthier nation that contributes to its economic, social, mental and spiritual development” (Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigeous Medicine, 2015), the Ministry contributes to Sri Lanka’s social and economic development by providing high quality health promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services that are available and accessible to all people of Sri Lanka.

In 2007, the Ministry launched the Health Master Plan with the mission of achieving the highest attainable health status by responding to people’s needs and working in partnership to ensure access

Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births

In 2009 neonatal mortality rate (per 1,000 live births), infant mortality rate and under-5 mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) were recorded as 6.4, 9.7 and 12.1 respectively (Ministry of Health Sri Lanka, 2012). Again Sri Lanka has already achieved the SDG target, but ending preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age will require further attention, attempts and targeted interventions are required. Regional and other sectorial disparities still exist, and they are required to focus under SDG

3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases

Sri Lanka has shown a commendable progress in fighting against tuberculosis and malaria. However, more attention is needed on AIDS and other communicable diseases like dengue. Hence the target is relevant to Sri Lanka

3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being

This target is relevant to Sri Lanka given that 71 per cent of all annual deaths in government hospitals is due to chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (Ministry of Health Sri Lanka, 2012). Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases are the major NCDs in Sri Lanka

3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol

This target is relevant to Sri Lanka in the context of 66.7 per cent and 69 per cent of current users of alcohol and tobacco respectively (Alcohol and Drug Information Centre, 2015)

3.6: By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are one of the leading causes of morbidity, mortality and disability in Sri Lanka. RTA injuries have reached to epidemic proportion in Sri Lanka ending 2,000 deaths and 14,000 injuries each year (Weerawardena et al., 2013). In 2011, 2,721 casualties were reported from the RTA (Sri Lanka Police, n.d.). In this context this target is well relevant to Sri Lanka

3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes

MDG Country Progress Report 2014 states that, in 2010, contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) was 64.2 per cent and adolescent birth rate was 6.5 per cent. Abortions were recorded as 959.3 per 100,000 females of the reproductive age group in 2012 (Ministry of Health Sri Lanka, 2012). Further, there is an important group of women with special needs, who do not have access to the routine reproductive health services, but requiring special attention and care (e.g. institutionalised women, migrant women, displaced and marginalised women, etc.) (Ministry of Health Sri Lanka, 2012). So, this target is relevant to Sri Lanka

3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all

This target is relevant to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s healthcare financing strategy is a combination of two resource mobilisation methods; general taxation and out-of-pocket payments by the households. Private health expenditure accounts for more than a half of the total health expenditure of the country. Of this share of private expenditure, 83 per cent is out-of-pocket payment by households (WHO, 2015)

3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination

This target too is well relevant to Sri Lanka given the large agriculture sector of the country. The agriculture sector workers are more vulnerable to hazardous chemicals and water and soil pollution and contamination


(Table 4 contd.)


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to comprehensive high quality, equitable, cost-effective and sustainable health services (Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition, 2007). Although the planning mechanism is not fully in place within Health Ministry, initiatives have been taken to integrate and mainstream the targets under Goal 3 into the national health plan. However the absence of a proper coordination mechanism for the SDGs at the national level at present is seen as a major challenge that has negative implications for the successful implementation of SDGs from the initial stage.

2.3 Education

Sri Lanka has attained MDG 2 on achieving universal primary education. By 2012-13 it had achieved a net primary school enrolment rate of 99.7 per cent, with 100 per cent of the pupils who had started grade 1 completing their primary education. Sri Lanka also achieved gender party in school enrolment at both primary and secondary levels. Moreover, the literacy rate among youth ranging from 15 to 24 years reached more than 97 per cent for both genders in 2012 (United Nation Sri Lanka, 2015). Despite these achievements, the quality and relevance of education at all levels remain a concern. Moreover, disparities in the quality of human and physical resources of education facilities remain across and within districts (Tilakaratna et al., 2008). Improving the quality and relevance of education is a priority in Sri Lanka’s education sector. Improving access to post-secondary education and vocational training is also key to addressing skill-shortages in the workforce (United Nations Sri Lanka, 2015; Secretariat for Senior Ministers, 2013). Several policy reforms in the education sector have been proposed to address these issues. SDG 4 (Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities to all) and most of the targets under this Goal are relevant, and is in line with national priorities. Table 5 shows the relevance of the Goal 4 and its targets to the national context and Sri Lanka’s policy priorities.

Table 5: Relevance of the SDGs to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 4 - Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promote Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All

Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes

These targets are relevant to Sri Lanka and have been highlighted as important areas in the MDG Country Report Sri Lanka 2014 and the National Human Resources and Employment Policy (NHREP)

4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship4.6: By 2030 ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education

This is an important target for Sri Lanka. There are gaps in quality and access to pre-primary education. The Ministry of Education has formulated a pre-school education policy that is to be implemented in the coming years

4.3: By 2030, ensure for all women and men equal access to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university

Currently, the Sri Lankan universities can cater to only a fraction of the students who qualify for university education. Expanding the university and technical and vocational education facilities to cater to the needs of a larger group is an important policy for Sri Lanka

(Table 5 contd.)


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Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context4.5: By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations

There are no significant gender disparities with regard to access to general education (United Nations Sri Lanka, 2015).There are special education schools and units as well as specially trained teachers that cater to the students with special needs. However, there is a considerable lack of facilities that are disability-sensitive. The vocational education system also needs to be improved to address the needs of vulnerable groups

4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all

4.c: By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing States.

This target is relevant to Sri Lanka. The quality of education is directly dependent on the quality of the teachers


2.4 Economic Growth and Employment

Despite a steady decline in the unemployment rate over the past two decades, which reached around 4 per cent in 2014, Sri Lanka faces many labour-related issues. Unemployment of youth between the ages of 15 and 24 is more than 20 per cent. Nearly 60 per cent of total employment is in the informal sector. The rate at which women participate in the labour force has remained at around 30 per cent over the past decade – less than half that of men (DCS, 2014). Other labour-related issues include low productivity in the agriculture sector and gaps in labour skills. In this context, Goal 8 (Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all), and its targets are relevant and are broadly in line with national priorities for employment in Sri Lanka.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) – in consultation with the Ministry of Labour and Trade Union Relations, the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon and trade unions – has developed the Sri Lanka Decent Work Country Programme 2013-2017. This programme has four strategic objectives: (i) to promote fundamental principles and rights at work; (ii) to promote employment opportunities; (iii) to promote social protection; and (iv) to promote workplace cooperation and social dialogue in order to promote industrial harmony. These four strategies are in line with the targets and areas covered under the Goal 8. In addition, the country’s NHREP identifies a number of priority areas – such as enhancing employability of youth, addressing informal sector issues and creating employment opportunities for vulnerable groups – that are also covered under Goal 8. The government is currently formulating a National Action Plan on Youth based on NHREP, the National Youth Policy (prepared by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development), and the Colombo Declaration on Youth. Table 6 indicates the relevance and importance of Goal 8 and its targets for Sri Lanka.

Table 6: Relevance of the SDGs to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 8 - Promote Sustained, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth, Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work for All

Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries

This target is in line with national growth targets. Sri Lanka maintained an average annual growth rate of over 7 per cent from 2010 to 2014 (Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 2015)

8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors

This is important to Sri Lanka, particularly for labour-intensive, low-producing sectors like agriculture, where about one-third of the workforce is employed

(Table 6 contd.)

(Table 5 contd.)


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Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services

The Sri Lanka Decent Work Country Programme 2013-2017 aims to address issues directly related to promoting decent work. Given the high level of employment in the informal sector, there is also a need to encourage formalising the informal sector by creating an enabling environment

8.4: Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead

This is in line with national priorities. The National Action Plan for Haritha (Green) Lanka (discussed in Section 2.1) outlines Sri Lanka’s policy related to achieving this target

8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value

The Sri Lanka Decent Work Country Programme 2013-2017 focuses on decent work. NHREP also recognises the need to improve employment opportunities for vulnerable groups, like people with disabilities

8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training

The National Action Plan on Youth, that is currently being formulated in Sri Lanka, focuses on issues related to youth and unemployment

8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms

Sri Lanka has relatively low level of child labour compared to the rest of South Asia (about 2.5 per cent of the child population). The focus of government is on eliminating hazardous forms of child labour. Many measures, such as introducing ‘child labour-free zones’ are being undertaken by the Department of Labour, Ministry of Labour and Trade Union Relations

8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment

Precarious employment is a significant problem in the country, and is therefore a national priority

8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products

This is an important target that is relevant to Sri Lanka

8.10: Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all

Improving access to financial services for all (or achieving financial inclusion) is an important and relevant area for Sri Lanka (Kelegama and Tilakaratna, 2014) The National Policy Framework for SME Development has also outlined several strategies to facilitate easy and affordable access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as a key policy approach


2.5 Poverty, Hunger and Food Security

Sri Lanka has made significant progress in reducing poverty over the past decade. The national poverty headcount ratio (HCR) declined from 22.7 per cent in 2002 to 6.7 per cent in 2013, with the majority of districts in the country showing a substantial decline in their poverty levels. The country also achieved the MDG 1 target of halving the poverty level, well before 2015. It has also reduced extreme poverty (average daily consumption of USD 1.25 or less per person) at the national level from nearly 14 per cent in 2002 to 4.1 per cent in 2010 (United Nations Sri Lanka, 2015). A handful of districts experienced an increase in poverty between 2009 and 2012-13. Vulnerability and inequality also remain issues of great concern (United Nations Sri Lanka, 2015). Successive governments over the past several decades have implemented policies and programmes to tackle poverty, inequality and vulnerability in the country. SDG 1 (end poverty in all its forms everywhere) is in line with Sri Lanka’s policy priorities. All the targets related to poverty (1.1 on eradicating extreme poverty measured as

(Table 6 contd.)


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those living on less than $1.25 a day, and 1.2 of reducing poverty by all dimensions) and vulnerability (1.4 on ensuring all including the poor and vulnerable have equal access to resources and services, and 1.5 on building resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate-related events and other shocks and disasters) are relevant to the national context. Moreover, target 1.3 on implementing nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all is also important and timely for Sri Lanka. Currently, Sri Lanka has a range of social protection programmes implemented by various ministries, departments and provincial councils that target vulnerable groups such as the poor, elderly, people with disabilities, and children. Despite the multitude of programmes, there are several gaps and weaknesses in the current social protection system, such as low coverage, poor targeting, inadequacy of benefits, lack of coordination among programmes and budgetary constraints (Tilakaratna, 2014; Tilakaratna, Jayawardena and Ellepola, 2014). These issues, along with emerging labour market challenges - such as, an ageing population, a large informal sector, and low participation of women in the workforce - stress the need for improving Sri Lanka’s social protection system to achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.

Most of the targets under the Goal 2 - “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture” - are also relevant to Sri Lanka. The details are given in Table 7.

Table 7: Relevance of the SDGs to the Sri Lanka Context: Goal 2 – End Hunger, Achieve Food Security and Improved Nutrition and Promote Sustainable Agriculture

Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round

This is relevant to Sri Lanka; the depth of hunger for Sri Lanka in 2014 was 216 kcal/capita/day, indicating a medium level of food deficit. The greater the deficit, the greater the susceptibility to health risks related to undernourishment. As of 2012, the share of Sri Lanka’s undernourished population is estimated at 24.6 per cent, a decline from 30.6 per cent in 2000. Even though Sri Lanka is in a better position compared to the other South Asian countries, still the country is in alarming stage based on the Global Hunger Index

2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons

Malnutrition is an issue in Sri Lanka, given around 20 per cent of the children below the age of 5 years are underweight (United Nations Sri Lanka, 2015). So, this is relevant to Sri Lanka

2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and the incomes of small-scale food producers, particularly women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment

This is relevant to Sri Lanka. The domestic agriculture sector in Sri Lanka is characterised by small-scale farming. Many smallholders do not earn sufficient income from farming, and poverty is a predominant phenomenon among them. The agrarian poor basically suffer from a set of common issues such as low resource endowment, low skills, poor access to technology, inadequate institutional support, inadequate value addition and non-farm employments

2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality

Agriculture in Sri Lanka has evolved in close harmony with the prevailing climatic conditions of respective agro-climatic regions of the island. However, Sri Lanka’s climate has undergone changes to an extent that the right amount of rainfall does not come at the correct time of the growing season. Agricultural productivity suffers severe losses because of high temperature, severe drought, flood conditions, sea level rise and soil degradation. Moreover, these conditions obstruct the management of operations such as land preparation, transplanting, weed control, and fertiliser and agro-chemical application that could result in yield losses. Thus, ensuring sustainable food production systems is a top priority

(Table 7 contd.)


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Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context2.5: By 2020, maintain genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified seed and plant banks at national, regional and international levels, and promote access to and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge as internationally agreed

Genetic erosion of cultivated indigenous varieties and wild relatives of crop plant species in Sri Lanka has been occurring rapidly in natural habitats during the period of the last century. Hence, conservation of plant genetic resources is essential. Also, production of more and better food within limited resources to feed the increasing population makes it necessary for maintaining genetic diversity of the agricultural crops and their wild relatives for various improvement programmes


2.6 Infrastructure-related Goals

Goal 9 of the SDGs is on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and fostering innovation. The Goal has five targets, three sub-targets and a wide range of indicators that capture infrastructure development, development of industries, adoption of clean and environmentally friendly technologies, information and communications technology (ICT) development and research and development (R&D) in countries. Under the MDGs, Sri Lanka performed satisfactorily in infrastructure-related indicators such as mobile cellular subscriptions, but not well in indicators such as the usage of and access to internet.

Overall, the targets under SDG 9 are in line with Sri Lanka’s national priorities (see Table 8). Building infrastructure and developing connectivity have been key focuses of Sri Lanka’s recent development agenda. Several ambitious infrastructure programmes have been launched to develop the country’s physical infrastructure, including upgrading national sea, air, power and ICT and broadband infrastructure, i.e. Southern Expressway connecting the South of the country to the commercial capital. Furthermore, identifying the importance of developing digital infrastructure in the country, a new

(Table 7 contd.)

Table 8: Relevance of the SDGs to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 9 - Build Resilient Infrastructure, Promote Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization and Foster Innovation

Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all

This target is in line with Sri Lanka’s development agenda where developing sustainable infrastructure has been a key focus. Sri Lanka has performed well in indicators such as access to safe drinking water and sanitation. However, it lags behind in indicators such as access to internet and ICT maturity where only 19.5 per cent of the population has access to internet (Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 2016)

9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, raise significantly industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries

This is important for Sri Lanka with the industrial sector in 2014 accounting for 26.5 per cent of employment and 32.3 per cent of GDP in Sri Lanka

9.3: Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets

This target is relevant and is in line with the country’s development agenda as outlined in Sri Lanka’s ‘National Policy Framework for SME Development’. The government has highlighted the need to facilitate, support and strengthen mechanisms for easy and affordable access to finance to SMEs

9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

Indicators considered under this target - treatment of waste water, collection and management of urban solid waste, reduction of air pollution and improving ICT maturity - are all relevant for Sri Lanka. The ‘National Policy on Solid Waste Management in Sri Lanka’ highlights for example, that solid waste management in urban areas is a problem that has defied many attempts to solve it

(Table 8 contd.)


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ministry, the Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure was set up in 2015 to improve digital infrastructure of Sri Lanka.

The SDG targets for the industrial sector and development of small-scale industries are in line with the country’s needs. Also, clean and environmentally sound technologies are receiving increasing attention from the government and the private sector, with many industries looking at ‘greening’ options available to them. The government provides tax concessions and other incentives. However, Sri Lanka’s ability to upgrade will also depend on the capacity and willingness of the private sector to undertake necessary changes.

R&D is another area that is in line with the SDGs that has been identified as key in developing Sri Lanka, especially in developing the country into a knowledge hub. For example, in 2014 the government adopted the National Investment Framework for R&D, which identifies 10 national priority areas for R&D in Sri Lanka and 10 intervention methodologies. Some of its focus areas included water, health, and food, nutrition and agriculture. Intervention methodologies included pure and applied research, innovations, ICT, nanotechnology and biotechnology, among others. Many countries have developed an informal target that, 1 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) should be spent on R&D.1 However, in 2010, Sri Lanka’s gross expenditure on R&D as a percentage of GDP was only 0.16 per cent. By comparison, Korea and Singapore allocated 4 per cent and 2.43 per cent of their GDP for R&D. The government should take more proactive measures to give tax relief and concessions to companies as means of encouraging them to engage in R&D. These have been discussed widely, but few measures have been undertaken so far to provide such incentives.

2.7 Gender

There were some gaps in Sri Lanka’s results under MDG 3 (promote gender equality and empower women). Of the three main indicators under MDG 3, Sri Lanka made satisfactory progress against only one indicator2 (United Nations Sri Lanka, 2015). Economic and political participation by women in Sri Lanka is not par with other socio-economic indicators for the country (United Nations Sri Lanka, 2015). The Ministry of Women’s Affairs – now Ministry of Women and Child Affairs (MWCA) – was set up in 1983 to work specifically on women’s issues. The Goal was to create a Sri Lankan society sensitive to, and supportive of, the needs and betterment of women. The ministry’s major responsibilities are:

• Formulation of policies, programmes and projects in regard to women’s affairs and all subjects that come under the purview of institutions listed in column II (Sri Lanka Women’s Bureau and National Committee on Women);

• Advancement of women’s quality of life;• Increase in participation and representation of women in politics and decision-making in public

affairs;

1UNESCAP (2009). Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific 2009.2The three targets under Goal 3 were - 3.1: Ratio of girls to boys enrolled in primary, lower secondary, upper secondary and tertiary levels; 3.2: Share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector (%); 3.3: Proportion of seats held by women in the national parliament (%). Sri Lanka is currently performing well only in indicator 3.1.

Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries in particular developing countries, including by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending

This target is relevant to Sri Lanka, with the country’s gross expenditure on R&D being limited to only 0.16 per cent of GDP (National Science Foundation, 2014). In 2014, Sri Lanka adopted ‘the National Investment Framework for Research and Development,’ which identifies 10 national priority areas for R&D in the country


(Table 8 contd.)


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• Formulation and implementation of policies, plans and programmes for women’s empowerment;• Promotion of gender equity and gender justice;• Formulation and implementation of new laws and policies and amendment of existing laws to

remove discrimination against women, implementation and strengthening of laws and policies aimed at preventing sexual and gender-based violence;

• Achievement of MDGs relevant to the subjects assigned;• Implementation of the women’s charter; and• All other subjects that come under the purview of Sri Lanka Women’s Bureau and National

Committee on Women.

Altogether, there are nine targets (six major targets and three sub-targets) under Goal 5. According to representatives of MWCA, the focal point for achieving these targets, most of them are relevant to national priorities and to the Sri Lankan context and should be able to be achieved by 2030 (Table 9). MWCA is already undertaking programmes that address most of the targets under this Goal. Most of the indicators proposed under Goal 5 are also relevant and according to MWCA officials, obtaining data to measure the indicators which comes under Goal 5, will not be an issue. However, it was noted that these data are being collected by different institutions, and national-level coordination will be required to produce national- and regional-level indicators.

Table 9: Relevance of the SDGS to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 5 – Achieve Gender Equality and Empower All Women and Girls

Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere

This is relevant to Sri Lanka. But concerns should be paid whether this target sets a high standard for the country (i.e. ending of all forms of discrimination against women and girls in the country within 15 years)

5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation

This target is relevant to Sri Lanka. The main challenge in achieving this target is that currently the country does not have a national policy or action plan on violence against women. Sri Lanka has ratified four major international instruments, which have relevance to rape and other forms of gender-based violence namely; (1) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - 1966, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) - 1979; (2) Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) - 1989; (3) Convention on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment - 1984; and (4) Vienna Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women in 1993. At the national level the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act No. 34 of 2005 (PDV) was passed in 2005. Despite the presence of these Acts and other legal structures, violence against women and girls has become a major social issue that needs urgent attention

5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation

This target is not so relevant to Sri Lanka. Prevalence of child, early and forced marriages is minimal in the country and female genital mutilations are not practiced in Sri Lanka

5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate

At present, unpaid care and domestic work are not getting due attention and legal protection. Given that most of the unpaid care workers and domestic workers are women, this target is relevant to Sri Lanka

5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life

The MDG Country Report Sri Lanka 2014 states that the political representation of women in the national parliament is very low (i.e. proportion of seats held by women in the 2010-2014 parliament was 6.8 per cent). Not only in political sphere, but also in the economic and public spheres women’s role as decision-makers and leaders is not visible as men’s. In this context, this target is well relevant to Sri Lanka

(Table 9 contd.)


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Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences

According to the MDG Country Report Sri Lanka 2014, the country has either ‘achieved’ or ‘on track’ status for indicators related to maternal health and access to reproductive health (MDG Indicator 5.1: Reduce by three-quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio; 5.2: Proportion of births attended by skilled birth attendants; 5.3: Contraceptive prevalence (%); 5.4: Adolescent birth rate (%); 5.5: Antenatal coverage; 5.6: Unmet need for family planning (%). Yet, this target is relevant to Sri Lanka for maintaining the present status as well as to improve the status further


2.8 Promote Peaceful and Inclusive Societies for Sustainable Development

Goal 16 is to “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” There are 10 targets and two sub-targets under this Goal with the aim of reducing violence, abuse and exploitation, promotion of rule of law and improving transparency (see Table 10 for the full list of main targets).

(Table 9 contd.)

(Table 10 contd.)

Table 10: Relevance of the SDGS to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 16 – Promote Peaceful and Inclusive Societies for Sustainable Development, Provide Access to Justice for All and Build Effective, Accountable and Inclusive Institutions at All Levels

Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere

One of the indicators is on reducing physical/sexual violence by intimate partners. The ‘Prevention of Domestic Violence’ passed in 2005 was a key milestone in this regard. Further, data published in 2014 show that the number of deaths (per 100,000) related to violence in Sri Lanka was 8.23 which is fairly high (World Life Expectancy, 2016). Therefore, this target is relevant and important to Sri Lanka

16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children

Sri Lanka legislated compulsory education for children of 5-14 years of age, and has ratified and implemented the ILO labour standards. Sri Lanka has outlined its roadmap on eliminating worst forms of child labour and benchmarks in the report, ‘Sri Lanka Roadmap 2016 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour’

16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

Coming out of a 3-decade war, promoting rule of law at the national and international levels has been a key focus of the government. Compliance with UN treaties has also been important in the government’s efforts to regain trade concessions such as the EU GSP+ (European Union’s Generalized System of Preferences [Plus])

16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets,and combat all forms of organized crime

Amendments have been proposed by the government to combat money laundering and terrorist financing in the country

16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms

Transparency International ranked Sri Lanka 83rd out of 175 countries in the Corruption Perception Index in 2015. Setting up the Anti-Corruption Secretariat in February 2015 and proposed amendments to the ‘Prevention of Corruption Act’ are some of the recent policy initiatives in reducing corruption and bribery in the country

16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels

With new constitutional amendments and focus of the government on reducing corruption, it is the belief of the relevant ministries that accountability and transparency of institutions will improve

16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels

Participation of women in parliament has been low with female representation in the national legislature below 6 per cent despite 51 per cent of the population constituting of women (UNDP, 2015). Increasing women’s participation as well as minority representation in decision making processes as outlined under this Goal are therefore relevant to Sri Lanka


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Promoting good governance and inclusive growth has been a key focus of Sri Lanka’s more recent policies. The government has demonstrated strong commitment to eradicating corruption and fraud, and promoting a transparent and governance system based on the rule of law. Goal 16 is, therefore, timely and of high relevance to Sri Lanka.

Given some of the programmes already in place at the national level, government stakeholders that were interviewed for the study considered many of the targets to be attainable. These programmes include initiatives of the Ministry of Justice to simplify the reform procedure for civil procedures, new strategies to address backlogs of civil litigation, and new legislation on audits in the near future. More specifically, several programmes have already been initiated and some projects are in the pipeline to promote the rule of law nationally and internationally, and to ensure equal access to justice for all. Some of the Ministry of Justice’s programmes in this area include setting up 65 new court houses (an initiative which began in 2008 and is still being implemented) and providing free legal aid to citizens who do not have access to these facilities.

In line with target 16.4, amendments have been proposed to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Strengthening the country’s legal framework – such as through recent amendments to the Audit Act – is expected to result in substantial reduction of corruption and bribery. With new constitutional amendments it is the belief of the relevant ministries that accountability and transparency of institutions will improve.

Identifying the importance of citizen’s right to information as underlined in target 16.10, a ‘Right to Information Bill’ was gazetted and presented to the parliament in March 2016. Although it has a number of exclusions, this legislation was long overdue. The bill is, however, yet to be passed by the parliament.

2.9 Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development

The success of the implementation of SDGs depends on a comprehensive funding framework that goes beyond official development assistance (ODA).3 This is addressed in Goal 17 which builds on Goal 8 of the MDGs and calls upon countries to “strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.” There are 19 targets under this Goal which deal with financing, enhancing technology, building capacity of countries, promoting trade and systematic issues (i.e. to enhance policy and institutional coherence, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and data, monitoring and accountability). Some of the targets under this Goal are for developed countries and some are directed at least developed countries (LDCs). As such, some of the targets are not relevant to Sri Lanka which is a developing country (see Table 11 for the full list of main targets).

3Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (2016); ‘Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development’, available at: www.eda.admin.ch/post2015/en/home/ziele/die-17-ziele-fuer-eine-nachhaltige-entwicklung/ziel-17-umsetzungsmittel-staerken-und-die-globale-partnerschaft.html

(Table 10 contd.)

Target Relevance to Sri Lankan Context16.8: Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance

Sri Lanka is a founding Member of the WTO and complies with standards such as the IFRS as outlined in the Goal

16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including free birth registration

Under the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance or Sri Lanka, a birth of a child has to be registered within 3 months of the birth. Within this period, a birth can be registered free-of-charge

16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements

‘Right to Information Bill’ was gazetted and presented to the parliament in early 2016



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Table 11: Relevance of the SDGS to the Sri Lankan Context: Goal 17 – Strengthen the Means of Implementation and Revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Target Relevance to Sri Lanka Context17.1: Strengthen domestic resource mobilization, including through international support to developing countries, to improve domestic capacity for tax and other revenue collection

Tax revenue of the government which is around 11.8 per cent of GDP has not been satisfactory. Effective mobilisation of domestic resources is important for the country, and as such financial and technical resources can help expand revenue collection

17.2: Developed countries to implement fully their official development assistance commitments, including the commitment by many developed countries to achieve the target of 0.7 per cent of ODA/GNI to developing countries and 0.15 to 0.20 per cent of ODA/GNI to least developed countries; ODA providers are encouraged to consider setting a target to provide at least 0.20 per cent of ODA/GNI to least developed countries

Relevant to developed countries; however, as a receiving country, the ODA flows received as a percentage of Sri Lanka’s GNI declined from 1.5 per cent in 1997 to 1 per cent by 2011 (UNDP, 2015)

17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources

Sri Lanka’s total debt as a percentage of GDP was as high as 76.04 in 2015 (Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 2016). One of the biggest challenges of the country today is managing the high levels of debt. As such this is of high importance to Sri Lanka

17.4 Assist developing countries in attaining long-term debt sustainability17.5: Adopt and implement investment promotionregimes for least developed countries

Relevant to LDCs and not to Sri Lanka

17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism

Relevant and important for Sri Lanka

17.7: Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed

Indicators are to be developed for these targets. However, this is in line with the country’s efforts in promoting sustainable growth and improving ICT technologies as discussed in details in the infrastructure-related goals17.8: Fully operationalize the technology bank and

science, technology and innovation capacity-building mechanism for least developed countries by 2017 and enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology17.9: Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national plans to implement all the sustainable development goals, including through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation

As a lower-middle income country, Sri Lanka’s access to concessional finance is now low. Therefore, international support in terms of aid, reduction of tariffs and R&D (as highlighted in the indicators) would be important for the country to develop its capacity. So, this target is relevant to Sri Lanka

17.10: Promote a universal, rules-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization, including through the conclusion of negotiations under its Doha Development Agenda

Indicators are more relevant for developed countries. However, as a trade dependent nation, a rule-based, open multilateral trading system under the WTO will benefit Sri Lanka

17.11: Significantly increase the exports of developing countries, in particular with a view to doubling the least developed countries, share of global exports by 2020

As a trade-dependent nation, access to developed country markets is important for Sri Lanka. The country’s exports of goods and services accounted for 20.5 per cent of GDP in 2015 (Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 2016). While tariffs imposed by developed countries on agricultural products have declined over time, tariff reduction on products such as textile and clothing, which are crucial for Sri Lanka, has been minimal (United Nations, 2015)

17.12: Realize timely implementation of duty-free and quota-free market access on a lasting basis for all least developed countries, consistent with World Trade Organization decisions, including by ensuring that preferential rules of origin applicable to imports from least developed countries are transparent and simple, and contribute to facilitating market access

(Table 11 contd.)


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Goal 17.2 stipulates that net ODA from donor countries should reach at least 0.7 per cent of gross national income (GNI), and net ODA to the LDCs should make up 0.15 per cent of GNI. Overall trends suggest ODA has been rising steadily. However, the overall commitment remains significantly below target; preliminary estimates for 2015 show net ODA from the 28 member countries of the evelopment Assistance Committee (DAC) was USD 131.6 billion, representing only 0.3 per cent of GNI.

Some of the targets also refer to the developed economies opening up their markets to the developing economies and LDCs in terms of lower tariffs. In Sri Lanka’s case, while tariffs imposed by developed countries on agricultural products have declined over time, tariffs on textile and clothing products have faced increasing tariff rates in Sri Lanka’s main export markets like the USA and the European Union (EU), thereby limiting market access opportunities for Sri Lanka’s exports. Ensuring healthy growth in earnings from exports of goods and services is key for the economy, especially in the background of high debt levels of the country. Furthermore, given that Sri Lanka’s total debt as a percentage of GDP was as high as 76.04 in 2015, assistance from developing countries in attaining long-term debt sustainability as outline in the targets under this Goal is also crucial.

4Silva, ‘Experiences of Sri Lanka in Agriculture Statistics’, available at: www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/ess/documents/apcas25/APCAS-14-7.6_Presentation_-Sri_Lanka_new.pdf

(Table 11 contd.)

Target Relevance to Sri Lanka Context17.13: Enhance global macroeconomic stability, including through policy coordination and policy coherence

Sri Lanka’s access to development aid (an indicator of Goal 17.3) declined after becoming a middle-income country; in 2014, net ODA received as a percentage of GDP was only 0.7. Therefore, the mobilisation of additional financial resources for Sri Lanka from multiple sources is important

17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainabledevelopment

17.15: Respect each country’s policy space and leadership to establish and implement policies for poverty eradication and sustainable development

Sri Lanka has made significant progress in reducing poverty levels in the country over the past decade. The country has several policies and programmes in place with the view of reducing poverty such as the Divineguma programme. However, pockets of severe poverty remain. This is therefore relevant and important for Sri Lanka

17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries

Given the relatively large number of goals and indicators, enhanced global partnership in sustainable development and participating of the private, public and civil society in achieving the SDGs by 2030 is crucial. This is of high relevance to Sri Lanka

17.17: Encourage and promote effective public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships17.18: By 2020, enhance capacity-building support to developing countries, including for least developed countries and small island developing States, to increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts

Improvements will be needed to the country’s statistical system in order to fulfill data requirements of the SDG goals and indicators which cut across many subject areas. Developing capacity of the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS), Sri Lanka’s national statistical agency would be vital in this regard. Systematic training of officers at all levels, equipping officials of new technology while also developing relevant infrastructure are some of the identified areas of development4

17.19: By 2030, build on existing initiatives to develop measurements of progress on sustainable development that complement gross domestic product, and support statistical capacity-building in developing countries

This goal captures perception of people on their well-being and overall satisfaction with life. This is important for the country as it focuses on the subjective well-being of its people



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3. Coordination, Management and Leadership of the SDGs Implementation Process including the Monitoring Mechanism

For the MDGs, the National Council for Economic Development (NCED) was initially established to coordinate, manage and lead implementation. NCED was intended to bring together stakeholders from the private and public sectors to develop national economic policies and action plans jointly. It created 22 cluster committees that directly engaged more than 300 private and public sector experts and citizen volunteer members to facilitate policy formulation and programme implementation. The themes of these clusters varied and included export development, employment creation, financial sector reform, education, taxation, legal, trade and tariff, and the MDGs (National Council for Economic Development, 2005). However, in the early 2000s, when NCED was incorporated under the Department of National Planning (DNP), the DNP assumed the primary role in coordinating, managing and leading implementation of the MDGs. The entire MDG implementation process also received ongoing support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Sri Lanka’s DCS.

The implementation, coordination and monitoring mechanisms for the SDGs, however, will need to go beyond what was in place for the MDGs. One reason for this is that the SDGs will not fall directly under the purview of the government. While each of the key areas addressed by the MDGs fell under the mandate of a particular ministry, such as the Ministry of Health, the SDGs address broader issues like transparency, inclusiveness and corruption. Therefore, success in achieving the SDGs will depend not only on the supporting policies, but also on the role played by individuals, the private sector and civil society as a whole. For example, raising awareness will be vital, and media will need to take the lead in this area. Awareness of the MDGs was raised through advertising campaigns, discussions on television and other media, and through programmes aimed at school children and youth. If the SDGs are to be implemented as successfully, an extensive awareness campaign targeting relevant departments and agencies and the public at large, will be necessary.

Sri Lanka’s experience with the MDGs also demonstrated that the implementation and monitoring process created awareness of critical regional and sectorial disparities. As a result, planning at both national and provincial levels began to pay more attention to addressing those disparities. It also helped to shed light on key issues, like maternal and child health and nutrition which, although not directly linked, may have translated into government-implemented programmes such as providing mid-day meals to students and distributing nutritious food among pregnant and lactating mothers from low-income households. Similarly, the SDGs are complementary to some of the government’s key mandates, such as eradicating corruption, promoting good governance, and being transparent.

For SDGs, before the national government changed in August 2015, an Advisory Committee had been established to raise awareness of the SDGs among the private sector, NGOs, academia and other relevant agencies. A series of meetings have been held under the auspices of this committee. However, the committee focused more broadly on the development agenda as a whole, and was not mandated to look at the SDGs specifically. Government ministries and departments are currently being reorganised and a body at the secretariat or ministry-level will be set up at the earliest opportunity to plan and initiate a mechanism to introduce the SDGs to the relevant institutions, develop programmes and policies in line with the goals and targets, and to monitor progress. All stakeholders interviewed expressed the importance of clearly designating a focal point for the SDGs. The DNP is expected to play a key role in overseeing coordination and monitoring, with the DCS providing support in monitoring data and UN agencies providing technical assistance. The involvement of the DNP is crucial given the need for the country’s national targets to be in line with the SDGs. The existing policies should be reviewed with current national targets and programmes reviewed, revised and developed to match the SDGs.

In fact, the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs and the UNDP have signed, the areas of cooperation for the first national summit on ‘Foresight and Innovation for Sustainable Human Development 2016’ in April 2016, which is based on the SDGs with a focus on six selected SDGs


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identified to be crucial in improving the living standards of Sri Lankans. The summit intends to bring together all actors responsible for the development of the country together and to start a national dialogue on achieving sustainable human development and the 2030 development agenda.

4. Adequacy of Financing and other Means of Implementation of SDGs in Sri Lanka

Achieving many of the MDGs was not a major challenge for Sri Lanka, given that the country had a head start in key areas, such as education and health. Due to the conducive policies that were in place from as early as the 1940s – such as free education and free health services – the country was well positioned to achieve the MDGs within the timeframe without having to generate or redirect large amounts of money from other sectors. However, the experience with the SDGs will be different given the wide range of issues being addressed. In fact, financing could be a major issue in implementing those SDGs that will require new or additional resources, such as those requiring scientific and technical estimates. Estimates suggest that total investment needs in meeting the SDGs at a global level would be between USD 5-7 trillion per year, with investment needs in developing countries alone amounting to about USD 3.9 trillion a year (UNCTAD, 2014). Based on current investment levels in the developing countries, this leaves an investment gap of USD 2.5 trillion which needs to be filled. Comparatively, the estimated financing needs of the MDGs was estimated at USD 40-60 billion a year. While no cost estimate has been made at this early stage for Sri Lanka, it will very likely need financial and technical assistance from donors and experts for capacity building.

The Finance Commission of Sri Lanka, the organisation which is responsible of fund allocation to all the provincial and local governments identifies the prioritised SDGs. The Finance Commission states. “Provincial councils possess the capacity and the responsibility of implementing development projects which would help contributing towards achievement of the [above] SDGs. All development sectors identified by the Finance Commission for which the funds are allocated to the provinces relate to most SDGs in their nature and practice” (Finance Commission of Sri Lanka, 2016). Improving the physical and human resources of existing institutions, like government ministries and departments, will be important for achieving the SDGs.

The issue of insufficient budgetary allocations is also linked with identifying and recognising Sri Lanka’s national priorities. Some areas might get more attention while some others can be neglected. For example, some officials interviewed highlighted the fact that ‘gender issues’ do not often get adequate attention at the national-level policy planning and allocating financial resources, even though gender is an important and cross-cutting component of the SDGs. Moreover, the absence of a gender-based budgeting system5 in Sri Lanka was seen as a challenge to implementing SDGs related to women and girls. Furthermore, it was noted at one of the key informant interviews that donor funds and concessionary loans to the country as a whole are falling since Sri Lanka moved into the middle income status.6

Given the limited budgetary capacity of the government and the need of allocating funds to SDGs it is possible to identify several means of financing and supporting implementation.

ODA: ODA will remain an essential source of funds in countries where private investment and capital market access is limited such as that of Sri Lanka. MDGs stipulated that net ODA from donor countries should reach at least 0.7 per cent of GNI, and net ODA to the LDCs should make up 0.15 per cent of GNI. However, the overall commitment remained below target and is unlikely to meet the investment needs of implementing the SDGs.

5Gender-based budgeting system refers to the process of conceiving, planning, approving, executing, monitoring, analysing and auditing budgets in a gender-sensitive way, and it also involves analysis of actual expenditure and revenue (usually of governments) on women and girls as compared to expenditures on men and boys.6IMF upgraded Sri Lanka into the category of ‘Middle Income Emerging Markets’ in January 2010.


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Capacity Building and Technical Assistance: At the Third International Conference on Financing for Development which was held in July 2015 in Addis Ababa, a Technology Facilitation Mechanism (TFM) was established in the UN. The aim of the TFM is to facilitate capacity building and technical assistance for developing countries on technology development, transfer and deployment.

Remittances: Remittances to developing countries which is estimated to have reached USD 431.6 billion in 2015 (World Bank, 2016) (with actual amounts thought to be much higher) is also identified as a source of financing. In Sri Lanka, remittances account to about USD 7 billion (Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 2016).

Climate Finance: Developed countries have committed to mobilising USD 100 billion a year by 2020 for climate action in developing countries. Climate financing includes, for example carbon pricing policies, such as carbon taxes or emissions trading combined with auctioning of allowances.

New Financing Instruments: These include diaspora bonds (These investments have the potential to direct diaspora funds into infrastructure projects and other development projects in diaspora home countries.); infrastructure bonds.

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): PPPs will be key, given the range of issues addressed in the SDGs and the financing required.

5. Partnership and Stakeholder Participation including Institutional Arrangements

Successful implementation and materialising of the SDGs will require effective multi-stakeholder participation, including international organisations, civil society organisations (CSOs), the private sector, and the general public and partnerships with them. Partnerships and stakeholder participation is important mainly due to the inter-linkages and integrated nature of the SDGs (United Nations, 2015). The UN identifies the importance of having the stakeholders in the SDG process to mobilise and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, thus encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships (United Nations, 2015). International organisations have been assisting Sri Lankan government ministries through partnerships and programmes to enhance development in several ways. For example, agencies such as the UNDP, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Asia Foundation have worked with the Ministry of Justice to develop child-friendly courts, create and strengthen community mediation boards and promote equal justice. These partnerships are considered crucial by the government officers as the assistance provided by these stakeholders is useful especially in filling technical and financial gaps.

According to officials at MWCA, in general terms the ministry is getting satisfactory participation and support by all the stakeholders to design and implement their policies and programmes. Especially the technical and financial support from the international organisations was highlighted by officials at MWCA. As an example, with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the MWCA is implementing a project with the aim of taking action with respect to gender issues and minimising harassment of women and violation of their rights through that, and providing them the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of development. Likewise, the same ministry has implemented a programme with the support of United Nations Development Programme for Strengthening Enforcement of Law, Access to Justice and Social Integration (SELAJ SI programme) with the key objective of empowering government and non-governmental activists under a proper coordination process focused on minimising gender-based violence. The MWCA sees this as a positive sign for implementing the SDGs as they would be able to get active involvement from these stakeholders in the future. However, lack of participation by some of the stakeholders has been highlighted as a key issue in some sectors. For example, measuring performance against indicator 74 (consumption of ozone-depleting substances) under Goal 12 will require collecting data from various stakeholders, including importers. However, it


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has been challenging to get this information. Some businesses also resist providing financial and other data that they feel would reduce their competitive advantage if it were known.

As a recent initiative the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs (MNPEA) and the UNDP entered into partnership agreement to hold the first national summit on ‘Foresight and Innovation for Sustainable Human Development 2016’ (Daily FT, 2016). The summit is planned to be held in May 2016 in Colombo. This summit is expected to bring together all actors responsible for the development of a nation to think in a futuristic manner and envision Sri Lanka in the year 2030, and plan accordingly. It is expected that Sri Lanka’s public sector, think tanks, corporate and industry bodies will combine to integrate national policies to meet the UN’s SDGs, while incorporating innovation to foster development. Coordinating Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, the United Nations Global Compact Network of Sri Lanka, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Sarvodaya7 and LIRNasia8 are the other core partners of this summit.

International agencies such as the UNDP, UNICEF and World Food Programme (WFP) collaborated with the DNP to implement and monitor the MDGs and their targets. Other international organisations worked closely with responsible ministries to help achieve goals in specific sectors – such as World Health Organization (WHO) with the Ministry of Health, and ILO with the Ministry of Labour. However, it should be noticed that a concern was raised that the active involvement of the private sector was considered inadequate, and the participation of the general public was minimal for the MDG process.9 The main reason for this low participation by certain stakeholders was that the familiarity to many of the MDGs and their targets. Successive governments since independence have implemented policies and programmes to improve access to education and health services, and to alleviate poverty. Since the programmes were already in place for sometimes before the introduction on MDGs, some stakeholders’ participation were seen as ‘not so enthusiastic’ and ‘active’ in the MDG process. Furthermore, the interviews highlighted that, except for the work done by a few think tanks, there was limited involvement of academia and think tanks on some aspects of the MDG process, such as research, documentation and dissemination. These can be considered as ‘lessons learned’ of the MDG process in relation to stakeholder participation and for the successful implementation of SDGs these gaps should be addressed.

6. Capacity of the National Statistical Agencies and other Data-related Issues

6.1 Statistical System in Sri Lanka

The DCS is the national statistical organisation. It is responsible for collecting, compiling, analysing and disseminating statistical information needed to plan, formulate policy, monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of development policies and programmes at national and sub-national levels. It is also the main source of data needed to measure various indicators recommended by international agencies such as the UNDP, UNICEF, the ILO, the World Bank, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and WHO. Information used to monitor progress against most of the MDG indicators and to prepare country-level reports, such as the Human Development Report, were derived from the national census and other national surveys, such as the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES), the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), the Labour Force Survey (LFS), and the Child Activity Survey (CAS).

Routine statistical operations are carried out by statistical units within DCS and branch offices in key ministries and departments. For example, the DCS Statistics Branch Office in the Ministry of Education conducts an annual census of government schools across the country; there is a similar office in the Ministry of Health. The Statistics Unit of the Registrar General’s Department collects and compiles

7A community organisation.8A think tank.9This point was made at one of the key informant interviews.


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all vital statistics. The Statistics Unit of the Customs Department collects and maintains all statistics related to imports and exports. The DCS provides professional statistical staff for all of these offices in order to maintain the independence and reliability of data, as well as to ensure the use of consistent definitions, methodology and standards to collect, compile, and analyse the data. In addition to the DCS, other agencies, such as the Family Health Bureau (FHB) of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) also provide statistics related to the subject areas under their purview.

6.2 Need for Improvements in the Statistical System to Fulfil the Requirements of SDGs

Sri Lanka’s statistical system is well established and maintained. Yet, to provide the necessary statistical information needed for planning and monitoring purposes, improvements will be needed throughout the system to fulfil the data requirements of 17 SDGs and 169 related indicators that cut across many subject areas. The DCS is taking action to improve the system to meet the increasing demand for reliable and up-to-date information to fulfil the needs of all data users, as well as for the data requirements of SDGs. The research unit of DCS has been assigned with the task of accessing and making necessary recommendations, regarding the additional data requirements to monitor the status of SDGs. The DCS, and especially this unit, will need the assistance and guidance of the UNDP and other international agencies, to fulfil this task, as the technical staff needs a comprehensive training on accessing the additional data requirements, collecting the required data, and compilation of new indicators. This unit should be in a position to guide the staff of other units of DCS and other agencies, responsible for monitoring the status of SDGs.

Tracking the progress of the SDGs will increase the demands on the DCS, requiring it to collect, compile, analyse and disseminate statistical data in new areas, especially those related to environment. There are four times the number of indicators to be monitored for the SDGs as compared to the MDGs. This will require increasing resources and building capacity with the DCS and other data-gathering agencies. The support of international agencies such as the UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNESCO, ILO and World Bank may be needed to increase awareness among the key officials in agencies responsible for the implementation and monitoring the SDGs and build their capacity to collect, process, compile the indicators and analyse the data, required to monitor the progress.

This new demand will also give the DCS and other statistical agencies an opportunity to increase the resources, capacities and technologies available to fill the data gaps given in Annex 1. These agencies may also have to consider using new technologies and approaches, such as the use of tablets for data collection, building on software platforms like Open Data Kit (ODK), which could be used to upload completed survey forms, data collection instruments, use of satellite imagery, for example, in estimating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, etc. The use of tablets could significantly reduce the time and the cost of surveys and other data collection operations. They may also be useful in collecting data to fill the data gaps in subject areas for which the required information is not readily available, especially related to subject areas covered under SDG 13 to 15. The use of digital mobile platforms also improves the accuracy and simplifies the process of incorporating GIS data into survey operations. The DCS has already started using tablets for data collection in their latest DHS, which is expected to be extended to other national surveys as well. They may also need to use qualitative data collection methods, together with new and existing quantitative approaches, to enhance understanding and improve the monitoring and evaluation processes. This will help to support sound policy decisions and corrective actions should indicators not be on track for achieving the goals by 2030.

Although Sri Lanka has performed well, in most of the socio-economic indicators, at national level, still there are regional variations which need the attention of the authorities. As such, it will be important to develop suitable strategies to collect the required data and to provide disaggregated data to help identify inequalities that may be hampering to the progress of any particular group or groups or regions, so that necessary corrective action can be taken.


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Due consideration will also need to be given by the implementing and monitoring agencies to obtain necessary funding to fill the critical gaps in the collection, compilation, analysis, dissemination, and effective use of statistics, especially for planning, formulating policy, monitoring and evaluating the status of SDGs on a regular basis, so that Sri Lanka will be in position to achieve the SDGs before the year 2030.

Although Sri Lanka has done well in providing all the necessary statistics except for few indicators under MDG 7, but to monitor the status of MDGs there is still more work to be done to create a clearer and more up-to-date picture of inequalities and disparities between regions and population groups. Therefore, it will be extremely important to provide data by region, population group, and other variables so that no one will be left behind. Monitoring of the SDGs will therefore require substantial additional investment in capacity building of the statistical staff in DCS, as well as staff in other agencies, responsible for collection and processing the required data, and compilation of the SDG indicators. In addition to capacity building, financial investments are also needed to cover the cost of collecting and compiling vast amount of additional data, required to be collected especially on environment-related indicators. It is necessary to ensure that the data to be collected and compiled on a wide range of new subject areas are also reliable, and are of high quality.

All data including those on new subject areas, provided by the DCS and other agencies should be accurate, timely, accessible, comparable and produced free of political interference. Standardisation will be crucial for comparisons of data from different sources or time periods. It should be the responsibility of all agencies to use the specified definitions and methodology when computing data for SDG indicators.

To facilitate implementation and monitoring of the SDGs, the data producers, especially the DCS, need to ensure that the data quality and integrity are maintained. The data should be disaggregated across many dimensions in such a way that no one will be invisible and provide a better comprehensive picture. The value of the information will need to be enhanced by ensuring that there is a steady flow of reliable, high quality and timely data, and the data produced and disseminated will need to be transparent.

The Tables presented in Annex 1 summarise the current availability of some of the data needed to monitor the SDGs. There are number of agencies generating information relevant to the SDGs. However, no mechanism has yet been established to coordinate them. Some of the required data may be already available with some of the agencies, although it is not published. As such, a comprehensive study may need to be done to explore the availability of such unpublished data, which could be used to compile SDG indicators. Some of the required information, especially that related to environmental issues, will have to be collected and compiled specifically for monitoring the SDGs. It is too early to do a full assessment of the situation. However, most of the ministries and other agencies responsible for implementing the SDGs are not fully aware of the subject areas coming under them, as a result of several institutional changes following the change of government in 2015. Once the activities of the ministries and agencies coming under them are well defined, it should be a high priority to increase the awareness of the key officials in agencies responsible for implementing and monitoring the SDGs. DNP is the ideal institution to coordinate activities related to implementing the SDGs. And DCS is ideally situated to coordinate the collection and compilation of statistics required to monitor progress toward the SDGs, in collaboration with the agencies responsible for implementing them.

6.3 Use of Big Data

The World Bank and other international agencies are looking into the possibilities of using ‘Big Data’ for monitoring the status of indicators associated with SDGs. Some of the main areas which are being explored by them are: (i) use of satellite imagery to predict crop harvests, food security situations, measuring population density and spread of new settlements, changes in forest cover, etc. as well


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as in estimating IUU fishing; (ii) use of smart meter technologies (in energy and water distribution and in communication networks) to obtain required information related to the services provided, disaggregated by regions. Although smart meters are being used in communication networks in Sri Lanka, smart meters are still not in use for energy and water distribution. However, plans are being made to introduce smart meters for electricity very soon; (iii) use of mobile phone activity to monitor poverty, based on Call Data Records (CDRs) analytics. All these new techniques are still being tested, and therefore, may take some time to put to practice, especially in developing countries and initial cost of adopting them will be too high for such countries.

As such, international assistance will be crucial for countries like Sri Lanka to use the above mentioned modern technologies, in compilation of statistics, using Big Data, which could be used to monitor some of the SDG indicators.

6.4 Use of Non-official Data

Sri Lanka will mainly depend on official statistics to monitor the progress of SDGs. If some of the required data cannot be obtained from official sources, Sri Lanka may also have to consider using non-official data from other sources. It is too early to specifically identify the types of non-official data that may need to be used for monitoring SDGs. However, if non-official data need to be used, to compile any of the SDG indicators, it would be essential to check the quality, integrity and reliability of such data before they are used for monitoring SDGs.

7. Conclusions

Sri Lanka is among several countries that pledged to achieve the SDGs by 2030. This paper examined the implications of the implementation of the SDGs in Sri Lanka. In particular, it attempted to understand how the SDGs will be embedded in the national context and to identify the implementation challenges of the SDG, related to coordination, monitoring and partnerships and stakeholder participation. It also examined the capacity of the national statistical offices to monitor the progress of the SDGs. The study used a qualitative approach based on key informant interviews and group discussions with officials of relevant ministries and other experts on SDGs, and a review of reports and government policy documents.

The study revealed that most of the SDGs and their targets are relevant to Sri Lanka and are in line with the priority areas identified by the government/relevant ministries. Given the gamut of goals and targets covered under the SDGs and their inter-linkages, a designated national level body is crucial to coordinate activities carried out by different ministries, departments and other stakeholders, and to drive implementation and monitoring of the SDGs in Sri Lanka. Successful implementation of the SDGs in Sri Lanka will also require participation of a range of other stakeholders, including international organisations, private sector and civil society organisations, academia and general public. Partnership and stakeholder participation is important to mobilise financial and technical resources, share knowledge/expertise, raise awareness and monitoring of SDGs, and is needed at both the national and sectorial levels. Inadequacy of awareness of the SDGs among many stakeholders and the general public was identified as a key constraint to the effective implementation of the SDGs in Sri Lanka.

Monitoring the progress of SDGs would require compilation and analysis of data related to a larger number of indicators and many subject areas, compared to those of the MDGs. In addition to national-level data, more disaggregated data on SDGs are crucial to identify disparities across regions and socio-economic groups, and to develop strategies to ensure that ‘no one is left behind’. This would require additional resources and strengthening the capacity of the DCS and other relevant agencies involved in the data compilation and monitoring process.


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Highlighted below are some of the recommendations/suggestions for early actions on the SDG implementation in Sri Lanka:

Proposed Actions for the First 1000 Days of SDGs

• Establish a focal point for the SDGs in Sri Lanka, to coordinate among different ministries, departments, private sector, CSOs, etc. that carry out activities related to the SDGs, and to facilitate implementation and monitoring of the SDGs.

• Appoint a national-level committee/council representing key ministries involved in the SDGs, private sector and CSOs and other experts, to direct, guide and for the overall supervision of the implementation and monitoring of the SDGs in Sri Lanka.

• Integrate the SDGs into the country’s (new) national plan that is under preparation.• Develop awareness programmes on the SDGs to all stakeholders at all levels (e.g. government

officials, private and civil society organisations and the general public including youth and school children).

• Develop partnerships with stakeholders including international agencies, private sector and CSOs to mobilise resources, raise awareness of the SDGs, and implement and monitor the SDGs in Sri Lanka.

• Strengthen the capacity of the relevant institutions including the DCS, the focal point for SDGs and the ministries, departments and other organisations involved in compilation and analysis of data related to the SDGs, to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of progress of SDGs at national and subnational levels.

• Compile baseline data related to all the SDGs and their targets and develop a baseline database (with the DCS) to identify any data gaps and develop mechanisms to address data gaps in order to help monitor the progress of the SDGs over the years.

• Develop a comprehensive monitoring (and reporting) mechanism to monitor the progress of the SDGs and the targets in regular intervals.

• Prepare a progress report by the end of the first 1000 days of the SDGs highlighting the progress of the SDGs at the national and sub-national levels and identifying areas (goals and targets) and regions (sectors, provinces, districts) to pay special attention to. The findings on the progress of the first 1000 days of SDGs need to be integrated in to the national plans and develop special strategies to accelerate the progress in lagging areas, sectors and regions.


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Central Bank of Sri Lanka. (2015) Annual Report 2014. Colombo: Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). Available from: http://www.cbsl.gov.lk/pics_n_docs/10_pub/_docs/efr/annual_report/AR2014/English/content.htm

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Kelegama, S. and Tilakaratna, G. (2014) Financial Inclusion, Regulation, and Education in Sri Lanka. ADBI Working Paper Series No. 504. Tokyo: Asian Development Bank Institute. Available from: https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/156359/adbi-wp504.pdfwp504.pdf

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Secretariat for Senior Ministers. (2013) The National Human Resources and Employment Policy for Sri Lanka. Colombo: Secretariat for Senior Ministers, Government of Sri Lanka. Available from: http://nhrep.gov.lk/images/pdf/nhrep_final.pdf

Senaratne, A., Perera, N. and Wickramasinghe, K. (2009) Mainstreaming Climate Change for Sustainable Development in Sri Lanka: Towards a National Agenda for Action. Working Paper Series No. 14. Colombo: Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS).

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Tilakaratna, G. (2014) Social Protection and the MDGs in Sri Lanka: Implications for the Post-2015 Agenda. Southern Voice Occasional Paper 12. Dhaka: Southern Voice on Post- MDG International Development Goals. Available from: http://www.southernvoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/SV-OP-12.pdf

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Tilakaratna, G., Galappattige, A., Jayathilaka, R. and Perera, R. (2008) Education Opportunities for the Poor in Sri Lanka: Assessing Spatial Disparities. Research Studies: Human Resource Development Series No. 5. Colombo: Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS).

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Weerawardena, W., Illanagasingha, T., Piyadasa, I., Rathnayaka, S., Subaweera, W. and Niroshana, G. (2013) Analysis of patients admitted with history of road traffic accidents to Surgical Unit B Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura Medical Journal. 7(1). p.2-5. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.4038/amj.v7i1.6133


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ANNEX

Annex 1: Present Status of Required Data/Information to Monitor the Progress of SDGs Sri Lanka (Based on Goals and Targets specified in Resolution (70/1. Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development), adopted by the UN General Assembly on 25 September 2015)Goal 1 – End poverty in all its forms everywhereData/Information Required Remarks1. Poverty (based on the people living on less than USD 1.25

a day and national poverty line): Poverty Headcount and other related poverty indicators at National; sector (urban, rural & estate); by regions (provinces/districts); by age groups & sex; by socio-economic groups, to identify the poorest and most vulnerable groups and lagging regions

2. Social Protection Systems: Apart from free education (since mid-1940s) and free health services (for more than 6-7 decades), a number of other social protection programmes are in place, in Sri Lanka [Samurdhi, the main poverty alleviation programme at present; assistance to disabled persons and elderly persons; supplementary food programme (Triposha); nutrition programme for pregnant and lactating mothers, and children; education: free school textbooks, free school uniforms, free mid-day meal programme, Grade 5 scholarship, subsidised transport, etc.]

Poverty estimates are based on HIES conducted by DCS, once in 3 years and the poverty indicators, such as poverty headcount (PHC), poverty gap ratio (PGR), squired poverty gap (SPG) could be computed (national/sector/regions/age group and sex/socio-economic groups, etc.If poverty is to be eradicated, it is essential to properly identify poorest segments of the society and the poorest regions, and to develop suitable strategies, to move them out of poverty, as the target is to end poverty in all its forms, everywhere;statistics on social protection programmes, not freely available, and therefore needs attention, if they are to be used for monitoring purposes.

Goal 2 – End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agricultureData/Information Required Remarks1. Food security/hunger: Statistics on number of people, in

particular, poor people in vulnerable situations, including infants, and safe nutritious and sufficient food, throughout the years

2. Nutritional status of children under 5 years/adolescent girls/pregnant and lactating women/older persons

3. Information on agricultural productivity; incomes of small scale food producers (women, indigenous people, family farmers, fishers); other productive resources and inputs; knowledge on financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment

No regular surveys on food security are being conducted in Sri Lanka, covering the entire country. However, ad-hoc surveys have been conducted in conflict-affected regions of the country in 2009 (WFP & UNICEF) and in 2011 (HARTI, WFP & M/ED). More regular surveys covering the entire country or HIES conducted by the DCS need to be modified to obtain the information on food security as well, if the food security situation is to be monitored;DHS conducted by the DCS, once in around 6 years provide the information on nutritional status of children under 5 years, ever married women aged 15 to 49 years (which includes pregnant and lactating mothers). However, the survey does not provide information on adolescent girls. They need to be included in the DHS.In addition to the DHS, the FHB of Sri Lanka, also provide information on nutrition status of children under 5 years.Information on agricultural productivity not readily available.Incomes of small-scale food producers could be computed using HIES data. However, only at national level by sectors, as sample is too small to provide any estimate at sub-national levels on small-scale food producers.


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Goal 3 – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all agesData/Information Required Remarks1. Maternal mortality rate (MMR), infant mortality rate (IMR)

& under-5 mortality rate (U5MR)

2. AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), Malaria, neglected tropical diseases, hepatitis, water-borne diseases & other communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs)

3. Narcotic drug abuse & other harmful use of alcohol; deaths and injuries from RTAs

4. Access to sexual & reproductive health-care services

5. Health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines

6. Health financing, health work force, development and training of health staffs

MMR, IMR and U5MR are being computed by the Registrar General Department (RGD) annually. FHB is also compiling MMR annually and the estimates of FHB on MMR are considered to be more accurate.Information on HIV and AIDS are being compiled annually by the National STD/AIDS Control programme (Sri Lanka), Ministry of Health;information on TB is compiled annually by the national programme for TB control and chest diseases and the WHO; Annual Heath Bulletin of the Ministry of Health provides information on most of the communicable and NCDs.Government health services in Sri Lanka, both curative and preventive, are free to anyone seeking healthcare services. Statistics related to the services, health financing, healthwork force, development and training of health are available.However, information on the private health sector, which is expanding gradually, is not readily available. Collection and compilation of statistics on this sector are essential to get the overall status of the health sector in the country.

Goal 4 – Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for allData/Information Required Remarks1. Quality primary and secondary education by gender,

learning outcomes

2. Quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education by gender

3. Quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university by gender

4. Teachers by qualifications, types of training programmes and the number of teachers trained

5. Education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous people and children in vulnerable situations

6. Literacy and numeracy for both youth and adults irrespective of gender

The Annual School Census conducted by the DCS Statistics Unit of the Ministry of Education, provides the statistics/information on primary and secondary education (by gender), school facilities, teachers (by qualifications), etc. However, this census does not provide any information on education services provided by the private schools or the international schools. Although the numbers are not significant compared to the government schools, it would be necessary to have the information pertaining them also to get the total picture.Performance at the examinations (Grade 5 scholarship examination, GCE (O/L and A/L) are available (Department of Examinations).Information on education and vocational training for vulnerable groups, persons with disabilities, indigenous people and children in vulnerable situations are not freely available. Attention of the authorities is needed to collect and provide the relevant information which is important.

Goal 5 – Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girlsData/Information Required Remarks1. Violence against all women and girls in public and private

spheres (including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation)

2. Child, early and forced marriages

Available information on violence against women based on DHS (2006/07), is now outdated and the planned DHS (2015), may provide the current status. Information is not collected on a regular basis to monitor the

(Goal 5 contd.)


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Data/Information Required Remarks3. Unpaid care and domestic work

4. Women’s full and effective participation and opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life

5. Women’s rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources

situation, as DHS are usually conducted once in 6 or 7 years. Although information on reported cases of violence against women and girls could be obtained from police records, special regular studies need to be done, to assess the status;Information on unpaid/domestic work could be obtained from LFSs conducted by the DCS. However, number of hours worked is not collected on unpaid work or domestic work. With few modifications in the LFS schedule, it will be possible to obtain details on unpaid/domestic work on a regular basis.Information on item 4 is available and reliable.Information on items 2 and 5 are not available.

Goal 6 – Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for allData/Information Required Remarks1. Access to safe and affordable drinking water

2. Access to adequate and equitable sanitation (especially for women and girls, and those in vulnerable situations)

3. Deterioration of water quality (due to dumping waste, and release or excessive use of hazardous chemicals and materials)

4. Treating wastewater and recycling for safe reuse

5. Number of people suffering from scarcity of safe water for drinking and other purposes

6. Protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes

7. Capacity building programmes in water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies

8. Awareness programmes for local communities on improving access to safe water and sanitation management

Information on safe drinking water and adequate sanitation are available from HIES and censuses;however, proper information on deterioration of water quality is not available. As excessive use of pesticides in agricultural activities in certain parts of the country has contributed to chemical contamination of water and deterioration of water quality, special study needs to be done to assess the actual situation.Information on items 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 need to be collected and compiled to monitor the progress, as data on these areas are not readily available.

Goal 7 – Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for allData/Information Required Remarks1. Access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services

2. The share of renewable energy in the overall energy mix

3. Improvement in energy efficiency

4. Research activities and introduction of advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technologies

5. Expansion of infrastructure facilities and upgrading technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services

Estimates on households with access to electricity [HIES which covers the entire country (once in three years) and also from the Censuses of Population and Housing (once in 10 years)]. However, there is no information on reliability of the supply.Fossil-fuel consumption and the related information, as well as information on renewable energy used in the generation of electricity are available. Information on expansion of infrastructure and upgrading of technology to supply modern and sustainable energy is also available [Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB)]

(Goal 5 contd.)


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Goal 8 – Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for allData/Information Required Remarks

1. Per capita economic growth

2. Productivity improvements through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high value-added and labour-intensive sectors

3. Creation of full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities (with equal pay for work of equal value), entrepreneurships, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises

4. Youth not in employment, education or training

5. Child labour and forced labour

6. Workers who are not in safe and secure working environment (both male and female), including migrant workers, and those in precarious employment

7. People having access to banking, insurance and financial services

8. Aid for trade support

The DCS and the CBSL compile statistics on economic growth.The LFS and HIES conducted by the DCS, could be used to compute some of the necessary indicators under this goal. The survey instruments may need modifications and more in-depth analysis based on them need to be done if they are to be used to fulfil the SDG requirements.The Child Activity Surveys conducted by the DCS provide information on child labour. These are ad-hoc surveys and only two such surveys have been conducted in Sri Lanka (in 1999 and in 2008/09).Information on item 6 is not available and needs attention.Information on item 7 is not readily available.

Goal 9 – Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovationData/Information Required Remarks

1. Quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being (with affordable and equitable access for all)

2. Inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and raising share of employment in industries

3. Small-scale industrial and other enterprises, with access to financial services with affordable credit

4. Clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes

5. Access to information and communications technology (ICT) and strive to provide universal and affordable access to internet

Information on industries and share of employment in industrial sector are available (Census of Industries and Annual Survey of Industries, DCS).

Goal 10 – Reduce inequality within and among countriesData/Information Required Remarks

1. Income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population

2. Any inequality (due to social, economic, disabilities, age, sex, race, ethnicity, religion or economic or other status etc.)

3. Any inequality due to discriminatory laws, policies, actions, etc.

HIES conducted by DCS could provide estimates on most of the inequalities under item 2.No information on items 3, 4, 6 and 7.Items 5, 8 and 9 are not readily available, but could be computed.

(Goal 10 contd.)


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Data/Information Required Remarks

4. Any difference in wages, social protection benefits due to discriminations

5. Any assistance from global international economic and financial institutions

6. Orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people

7. Any special or differential treatment

8. ODA and financial flows, including foreign direct investment

9. Transaction costs of migrant remittances

Goal 11 – Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainableData/Information Required Remarks1. Access to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic

services, and provision of better housing to slum-dwellers and those living in line-rooms in the estates

2. Related to access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems; improvements to road safety, expansion of public transport, especially for the benefit of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons

3. Related sustainable urbanisation, integrated and sustainable human settlements

4. Related to protection and safeguarding cultural and natural heritage

5. Number of deaths and the number of affected people due to disasters, including water-related disasters, especially the poor and people in vulnerable situations

6. Adverse per capita environmental impact of cities (due to deterioration of air quality, municipal and other wastes)

7. Related to access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, particularly for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities

8. The number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels

9. Financial and technical assistance, for sustainable and resilient buildings utilising local materials

Reliable information on housing and basic services are available based on HIES and censuses of population and housing. Information on action being taken to provide better housing to slum-dwellers and those working in plantation sector could be obtained from the relevant authorities.Information on transport systems are also available. However, other information envisaged under item 2 is not available, and therefore needs attention.Reliable and complete information on items 3 and 4 are not available.Information on item 5 is available (online information management system is being maintained by the Disaster Management System of Sri Lanka).Information on item 6 on urban air quality is largely constrained due to absence of required equipment to measure.Information on items 7, 8 and 9 are not readily available. Relevant authorities will have to take suitable action to provide the required information.

(Goal 10 contd.)


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Goal 12 – Ensure sustainable consumption and production patternsData/Information Required Remarks1. Use of natural resources (to monitor efficient use for

consumption and production)

2. Per capita food waste at the retail and consumer level, and reduce food losses along production and supply chains including post-harvest losses

3. Reduction of waste generated through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse (information for companies, especially large and trans-national companies needed to be included)

4. Public procurement practices that are sustainable

5. Awareness programmes for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature

6. Support received from developed countries and international agencies to strengthen scientific and technological capacities to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production

7. Sustainable tourism, which creates job opportunities and promotes local culture and products

8. Use of fossil fuel (to decide on phasing out any subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption, which may have an adverse impact on the environment and to minimise the possible adverse impacts on development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities)

Natural resources are managed by a number of state agencies and the management is supported by a number of policies and regulations. As such, information on them is available on a scattered manner.A database on post-harvest losses of almost all the important crops are being maintained by the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute (HARTI).Reliable information on items 3, 4, 5 and 6 are not readily available, and therefore need attention of the relevant authorities; comprehensive statistics on tourism, and direct and indirect employment created by tourism are available (Annual Statistical Report on Tourism, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority). However, there is no information on how it could promote the local culture and products.Information on use of fossil fuel is available. However, there is no proper information on possible adverse impacts.

Goal 13 – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impactsData/Information Required Remarks1. Climate-related hazards and natural disasters

2. Any assistance from Green Climate Fund (to address the needs: improve education, awareness, human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning)

3. Effective climate change-related planning and management in LDCs, including focus on women, youth, local and marginalised communities

At present Sri Lanka does not produce annual estimates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, using available research, information and data, it is possible to estimate the GHG emissions by agriculture, forest and other land use sectors.Information on items 2 and 3 are not available and there needs attention.

Goal 14 – Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable developmentData/Information Required Remarks1. Marine pollution of all kinds (particularly from land-

based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution)

2. Any action taken (for their restoration, to achieve healthy and productive oceans) to protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts

3. Ocean acidification (to minimise and address of ocean acidification through enhanced scientific cooperation)

Information/data flow related to this goal need to be reviewed as most of the information needed to monitor the progress is not readily available.Assistance of international agencies and expert advice on the subject may be needed to develop a proper mechanism to collect and compile the required data/information, in order to fulfil the data requirements to monitor indicators under this Goal.

(Goal 14 contd.)


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Data/Information Required Remarks4. Fish harvest, including any overfishing, IUU fishing and

any destructive fishing practices

5. Fish stock (to decide on the maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics)

6. Conservation of coastal and marine areas (consistent with national and international law and based on best available scientific information)

7. The economic benefits to small island developing states (SIDS) and LDCs from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

8. Contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of the country

9. Access of small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

Goal 15 – Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity lossData/Information Required Remarks1. Conservation, restoration and sustainable use of

terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements

2. Forest area, deforestation, restoration of degraded forests and reforestation

3. Restoration of degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods

4. Conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity (to enhance their capacity to provide benefits which are essential for sustainable development)

5. Action to reduce degradation of natural habitat, halt the loss of biodiversity, and by 2020 protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

6. Access to genetic resources (to ensure fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources)

7. Poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna, and demand and supply of illegal wildlife products

8. Invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems, and control or eradicate the priority species

9. Extent of integration of ecosystems and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes and poverty reduction strategies

Information on item 2 is available (Forest Department); land under cultivation is also available from the Census of Agriculture, as well as crop area statistics collected and maintained by the DCS.Number of studies have been carried out on land degradation.Protected areas overlay with biodiversity are available (Department of Forest Conservation and Department Wildlife Conservation of Sri Lanka).Proper mechanisms need to be established to collect and compile the required information on a regular basis, as this is one of the most important goal for any country.

(Goal 15 contd.)

(Goal 14 contd.)


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Data/Information Required Remarks10. Financial resources to conserve and sustainably use

biodiversity and ecosystems

11. Resources from all sources to finance for advanced sustainable forest management, including for conservation and reforestation

12. Global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities

Goal 16 – Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levelsData/Information Required Remarks1. Deaths due to violence

2. Abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture against children

3. Access to justice for all

4. Illicit financial and arms flows, recovery and return of stolen assets, all forms of organised crimes

5. Corruption and bribery in all forms

6. Participatory and representative decision making at all levels

7. Opportunities for participation in the institutions of global governance

8. Provision of legal identity for all (including registration of births)

9. Access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms in accordance with national legislation and international agreements

10. Violence, terrorism and crime

Information on deaths due to violence is available (Police Department).Information on child abuse, exploitation, trafficking and other forms of violence is available, though may not be complete, as some cases may not be reported. National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) and Police reports could provide information on reported cases.Information on legal identity records could be obtained (Registrar Generals Department, Department for Registration of Persons, Department of Immigration and Emigration).

Goal 17 – Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable DevelopmentData/Information Required Remarks1. Tax and other revenue collection

2. ODA received

3. Financial resources received from multiple sources

4. Debt financing, debt relief and debt restructuring

5. Investment promotion

6. Access to science, technology and innovation, through global technology facilitation mechanism

Information on items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 11 are available (Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Island Revenue Department, Customs Department and External Resources Department).Special efforts have to be made by relevant authorities to compile and maintain the information systems on items 6 to 10.As implementing the recommendations under the SDGs is a huge responsibility to be undertaken, especially by the developing countries, assistance of the international agencies will be essential for smooth and effective implementation. Special attention is needed to increase the awareness on SDGs and for capacity building in

(Goal 15 contd.)

(Goal 17 contd.)


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Data/Information Required Remarks7. Development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion

of environmentally sound technologies, including on concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed

8. Use of capacity building mechanisms and enabling technologies in particular ICT

9. International support for implementing effective and targeted capacity building, to support national plans to implement all Sustainable Development Goals, including through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation

10. Multilateral trading system (under the WTO)

11. Exports

collecting, compilation and analysis of the required data to monitor progress of SDGs.

(Goal 17 contd.)


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Annex 2: List of Interviewed Officials/RespondentsName Designation AgencyMs R H M P Abeykoon Director (Biodiversity) Ministry of Mahaweli Development and

Environment, Sri LankaMr A K D D Arandara Senior Assistant Secretary Ministry of Justice, Sri LankaMr T M J Bandara Director Department of National Planning (DNP)Mr Marisha Bandartilka Consultant Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife,

Sri LankaMr Sanath Bandusiri Deputy Director Telecommunications Regulatory CommissionMr Waruna Sri Dhanapala Director (Natural Resource

Management)Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Sri Lanka

Mr R W Dharmawardena Training and Technical Support Officer

National Ozone Unit, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Sri Lanka

Dr P R M P Dilrukshi Head of Division, Science & Technology

National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka

Mr G M J K Gunawardana Senior Assistant Secretary/ Director (National Ozone Unit)

Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Sri Lanka

Ms Rohitha Gunawardana Head – Environment Unit Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB)Dr Neelamani Rajapaksa Hewageegana

Deputy Director General (Planning)

Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka

Mr Chamila Jayasekera Director (Strategy) Sustainable Energy Authority, Sri LankaMr J P S Jayasinghe Director (Planning) Ministry of Women and Child Affairs (MWCA), Sri

LankaMr Anura Jayathilaka Director (Air Resource

Management & International Relations)


Dr Sunimal Jayatunga Director (Climate Change) Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Sri Lanka

Ms Kema Kasthuriarachchi Environment Management Officer


Ms K A Sajeewa Kodikara Deputy Director Department of Census and Statistics (DCS)/Medical Statistics Unit, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka

Dr Terney Pradeep Kumara Director General Marine Environment Protection Authority, Sri LankaMr N K G K Nemmawatta Additional Secretary (Natural

Resources)Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Sri Lanka

Ms Jeeva Palugaswewa Environment Management Officer


Mr D Rathnayake Additional Secretary Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, Sri Lanka

Mr Jagath Rathnayake Deputy Director – Policy, International Relations & Licensing

Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, Sri Lanka

Mr K W S Saddhananda Deputy Director, Statistics Division

Department of Labour, Ministry of Labour and Trade Union Relations, Sri Lanka

Dr M S Senanayake Research Fellow, Head – Statistical and Data Processing Division (SDPD)

Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute (HARTI)

Mr Mahinda Senevirathne Secretary Ministry of Social Empowerment and Welfare, Sri Lanka

Ms Kanthi de Silva Director (Environmental Impact Assessment)

Environmental Impact Assessment Unit, Central Environment Authority, Sri Lanka

Mr Sanath Siriwardena Head, National Broadband Initiative

Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, Sri Lanka

(Annex 2 contd.)


Page | 39

(Annex 2 contd.)

Name Designation AgencyMs L U N Sumanasekara Director (Technology) Ministry of Agriculture, Sri LankaDr Manoj Thibbtuwava Research Fellow & Head of

Agricultural Economics UnitInstitute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS)

Dr N D R Weerawardena Conservator of Forests (Research)

Forest Department, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, Sri Lanka

Mr A Wimalaweera Senior Asst. Secretary (Labour & Foreign relations)

Ministry of Labour and Trade Union Relations, Sri Lanka

Ms Badra Withanage Director Ministry of Education, Sri LankaSecretary Ministry of Social Empowerment and Welfare, Sri

Lanka

2015S

Southern VoiceOn Post-MDG International Development Goals2015

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Launched in 2012, Southern Voice on Post-MDG International Development Goals (Southern Voice) is a network of 49 think tanks from Africa, Asia and Latin America, which was set up to serve as an open platform to contribute to the global discourse pertaining to the formation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the challenges of implementation, monitoring and mid-course review of the SDGs. Southern Voice addresses the existing ‘knowledge asymmetry’ in the global debates and ‘participation deficit’ of the developing countries by generating evidence-based knowledge, sharing policy experiences originating in the Global South, and disseminating this knowledge and experience among key stakeholders. Southern Voice Occasional Papers are based on research undertaken by members of the network as well as inputs received at various platforms of the initiative. The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Bangladesh hosts the Secretariat of Southern Voice.

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