Business

Public spending on education in SL declining but non-state actor participation in sector up: IPS

Published

3 years ago

2023/02/7

L-R Dr Madura Wehella, former Additional Secretary (Policy, Planning and Review), Ministry of Education; Prof Harischandra Abeygunawardena, Chairman, National Education Commission; Dr Nisha Arunatilake, Director of Research, IPS; Asith de Silva, Senior Manager - Social Innovations, Dialog Axiata PLC and Dr Harsha Alles, Chairman, Gateway Group

By Lynn Ockersz

‘Despite Sri Lanka’s free education policy and expansion of state activities in education, public spending on education has historically declined. Government expenditure on education is low compared to Nepal, India and Malaysia, for example, although research indications are that non-state actor participation in the sector is growing, Director of Research at the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka Dr. Nisha Arunatilaka said.

‘Encouraging non-state sector participation in education services and expanding on successful collaborative initiatives between the state and non-state sectors to improve services, efficiency and quality, though under regulation and with attention to ensuring equity, are some measures that could be taken to address the challenges faced by Sri Lanka’s non-state education sector, Dr. Arunatilaka added. She was addressing an IPS and UNESCO-initiated panel discussion titled, ‘Non-State Actors in Sri Lanka’s Education Sector’, on January 24, at the IPS’s Dr. Saman Kelegama auditorium, to mark International Day of Education.

The event was aimed at raising public awareness on the findings of the ‘Global Education Monitoring Report 2022 South Asia’, which draws on the global comparative research by the ‘Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report at UNESCO’. The IPS is one of six regional partners who contributed to the report on the basis of Sri Lanka’s experiences in the relevant areas of interest, IPS sources said.

Earlier, addressing the audience online, Senior Project Officer (Research), Global Education Monitoring Report, UNESCO, Dr. Priyadarshani Joshi said: ‘The 2022 GEM Report demonstrates inadequate public provision in South Asia and discusses the different contributions to education made by the region’s diverse non-state providers. To strengthen South Asia’s education sector, we suggest bringing all actors under one umbrella to work towards achieving educational goals by creating an enabling policy and regulatory environment, built on standards, information, incentives and accountability.’

The IPS-UNESCO panel brought together some key figures in Sri Lanka’s educational sphere from the state and non-state sectors. Following their presentations a Q&A session with the audience followed.

Chairman, National Education Commission Professor Harishchandra Abeygunawardena said in his presentation and in response to issues raised by the audience: ‘There is certainly a role for non-state actors in Sri Lanka’s education sector. We need to improve non-state access to the lower levels of education and to the tertiary level of the structure. Currently, resource constraints face the government. Here’s where the private sector could come in and help meet this shortfall in resource-allocation. In these efforts we need to keep in mind the primary aims in education: Providing universal access to education, irrespective of creed, ethnicity, language and other differences and bringing out good citizens. The promotion of patriotism among students is important.

‘However, there is no accountability on the part of some private schools. Many private schools do not get registered with the authorities. The impression that one gets with regard to many institutions in this sector is that ‘education is up for sale’. The number of students “passing out” with “top degrees” is astounding. The quality of teaching and the educational qualifications of many teachers leave much to be desired.’

Chairman, Gateway Group, Dr. Harsha Alles said: ‘There is no support for the private sector in education. There are no loans for us free of charge but we have to pay all taxes without fail. Currently, there are 140,000 students in private schools. However, there are some 1,500 state schools with less than 50 students.

‘But private educational institutions could to do things differently. For example, through the use of modern technology in teaching. The public and private sectors have to work together. But the monitoring of private schools is important. The entirety of the latter institutions need to register with the authorities but this has not happened. We need to work out the cost per student. When this is done it will be found that the cost per private sector student is lower than that of his counterparts in the public sector.’

Senior Manager, Social Innovations, Dialog Axiata PLC, Asith de Silva stressed the need for up-skilling teachers. They need to acquire the ability to teach with the aid of modern technology. At present there is a lack of awareness among many teachers on the need for such abilities. They and the general public should be made aware of the importance of IT technology, if not such technology would be a like a new car that has been for bought for running but left completely unused. It is unfortunate that some school administrators and teachers have a misleading view on IT technology. Prejudices to the effect that the use of IT in teaching could lead to harmful consequences need to be dispelled.

Outlining some ways in which Dialog is helping in achieving educational goals, De Silva said that under its ‘Nenasa’ program eight channels are dedicated to teaching students from Years 1 to 13. There are four such dedicated channels in Tamil.

Former Additional Secretary (Policy, Planning and Review), Ministry of Education Dr. Madura M. Wehella focusing on existing gaps in educational regulations drew attention in particular to the 1961 Education Act which does not recognize non-state actors in local education. She said, among other things, that ‘state and non-state actors could collectively overcome regulatory constraints and strengthen the education system holistically’. For example, the two actors could collaborate in introducing innovations in the area of teacher training.

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Business

Sri Lanka educates women but keeps many out of work, ADB warns

Published

4 hours ago

2026/06/5

Thilina Walpola

Shannon Cowlin - ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has one of the most educated female populations in South Asia, yet only about one in three women participates in the labour force, making female workforce participation among the lowest in the region and leaving a significant source of economic growth untapped.

That paradox took centre stage at a knowledge forum organised by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Colombo on June 3, where government officials, labour authorities, academics and private-sector leaders examined the deep-rooted barriers preventing women from fully participating in the economy and explored reforms needed to unlock their economic potential.

Opening the event, ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin said the issue extends beyond gender equality and has become a critical economic challenge for a country seeking sustained growth and inclusive development.

“Empowering women to participate fully in the labour force is not only a matter of equality; it is essential for inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction in Sri Lanka,” she said.

The forum, held under ADB’s Serendipity Knowledge Programme (SKOP), focused on findings from a recent ADB-supported study exploring the factors behind Sri Lanka’s persistently low female labour force participation.

Cowlin noted that despite notable progress in education and human development, Sri Lanka continues to lag behind on measures of gender equality and women’s economic participation. She said multiple studies have shown that the factors shaping women’s labour force participation are layered, interconnected and multidimensional.

According to the study, many women remain concentrated in informal, low-paid and insecure employment with limited access to social protection and few opportunities for career advancement. Social and cultural expectations continue to place primary caregiving responsibilities on women, often restricting their ability to pursue careers or remain in full-time employment.

The lack of affordable childcare services, unequal access to digital skills and technology, concerns over workplace safety, sexual harassment and inadequate transport options were identified as major obstacles preventing women from entering or remaining in the workforce.

“These are complex challenges that require action from all stakeholders – government, development partners, the private sector, civil society and academia,” Cowlin said.

She stressed that improving women’s labour force participation would require more than isolated policy interventions, calling instead for structural transformation, stronger infrastructure and care services, progressive workplace practices and broader societal changes that improve women’s mobility, safety and economic agency.

The event featured a presentation by Professor Dileni Gunawardena of the University of Peradeniya, who shared findings from ADB’s study on female labour force participation, followed by a panel discussion involving representatives from the International Labour Organisation, the Department of Labour, MAS Holdings and John Keells Holdings.

Panelists discussed measures to improve the enabling environment for women, including greater investment in the care economy, expanded childcare facilities, enhanced skills development, creating safe, supportive workplaces and career pathways for upward mobility.

Participants agreed that increasing women’s participation in the workforce is not merely ‘a nice to have’ but an economic necessity, particularly as Sri Lanka seeks to accelerate recovery, boost productivity and achieve more inclusive growth.

The ADB said Sri Lanka’s economic recovery presents a unique opportunity to address long-standing structural barriers facing women and to build a more inclusive labour market that fully utilises the country’s human capital.

By Sanath Nanayakkare

Business

ComBank offers exclusive financial solutions to the ‘Guardians of the Skies’

Published

4 hours ago

2026/06/5

Thilina Walpola

Hasrath Munasinghe, Chief Operating Officer of Commercial Bank and Air Vice Marshal Rajinth Jayawardena, Director General Welfare of the SLAF exchange the agreement in the presence of representatives of the two organisations.

Reinforcing its commitment to those who serve the nation, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) to introduce a comprehensive suite of concessionary financial facilities for its officers and other ranks.

The partnership, unveiled in a year that marks the 75th anniversary of the Air Force, which was founded in March 1951 as the Royal Ceylon Air Force, reflects a shared recognition of the critical role played by the SLAF as the steadfast ‘Guardians of the skies,’ entrusted with safeguarding the country’s security and sovereignty.

Under the terms of the agreement, Commercial Bank will extend a range of specially tailored financial products to SLAF personnel, including personal loans, leasing facilities, housing loans and credit cards. These facilities will be offered at concessionary interest rates, alongside concessions on documentation charges, enabling Air Force personnel to access financial support on more favourable terms.

The Bank said the initiative is part of its continuing efforts to deliver best-in-class lending solutions that are both accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of its customers. By offering attractive and affordable repayment structures, the scheme is designed to empower SLAF officers and other ranks to meet their personal financial requirements with greater ease and flexibility.

A key feature of the programme is the ability for beneficiaries to align repayments with their income patterns, ensuring that the facilities remain practical and sustainable over the long term. This flexibility, combined with preferential pricing, is expected to make a meaningful difference to the financial wellbeing of Air Force personnel and their families.

Business

Treasury Bill rate hike compounds stock market volatility

Published

4 hours ago

2026/06/5

Thilina Walpola

The CSE was extremely volatile yesterday mainly due to external and internal negative factors.

‘The escalation of the war situation in West Asia and the proposed tariff hike on Sri Lanka’s exports to the US by the Trump administration are worsening Sri Lanka’s economic woes. Further, the government’s decision to increase the Treasury Bill rate has also created some uncertainty in the market, stock analysts said.

The All Share Price Index was up by 249.83 points, while the S and P SL20 rose by 67.61 points. Turnover stood at Rs 2.79 billion with 11 crossings.

Companies that mainly contributed to the turnover by way of crossings were: Chevron Lubricants 1.5 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 294 million and its shares traded at Rs 196, TJ Lanka 2.9 million shares crossed for Rs 90.8 million; its shares traded at Rs 31, Citizens Development Business Finance 2.5 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 80.2 million; its shares traded at Rs 32.50.

ACL Cables 634,248 shares crossed for Rs 60.9 million; its shares traded at Rs 96, CCS 438,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 57.4 million; its shares traded at Rs 131, Overseas Realties 991,500 shares crossed for Rs 49.6 million; its shares traded at Rs 50 and Access Engineering 653,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 49.3 million; its shares sold at Rs 75.50.

In the retail market companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Dialog Rs 133 million (3.2 million shares traded), Seylan Bank (Non-Voting) Rs 110 million (1.7 million shares traded), Colombo Dockyard Rs 96.8 million (751,548 shares traded), Ceylinco Holdings (Non-Voting) Rs 77.5 million (516,000 shares traded), Sampath Bank Rs 74.2 million (530,000 shares traded), JKH Rs 74 million (3.7 million shares traded) and LMF Rs 65 million (781,000 shares traded). During the day 123 million share volumes changed hands in 26272 transactions.

It is said that the manufacturing sector, especially Chevron Lubricants and several other firms performed well, while the banking and financial sector performed too.

Yesterday the rupee was quoted flat at Rs 334.50/335.50 to the US dollar in the spot market on, unchanged from the previous day’s close, dealers said, while bond yields were broadly steady.

The telegraphic transfer rate for Sri Lanka’s rupee against the US dollar was Rs 330.50 buying, Rs 339.50 selling; euro was Rs 381.1884 selling, Rs 395.1054 buying; and the pound Rs 442.6620 buying Rs 456.7076 selling.

A bond maturing on 01.08.2030 was quoted at 12.12/20 percent, down from 12.15.25 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.06.2034 was quoted at 13.12/20 percent, down from 13.15/25 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.03.2035 was quoted flat at 13.15/25 percent.

By Hiran H Senewiratne