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Sri Lanka caught in low-productivity trap: IPS

Published

1 year ago

2024/10/20

ECONOMYNEXT —Six consecutive quarters of negative economic growth in Sri Lanka has led to lower wage rates and discouraged workforce participation and skill development, lowering productivity levels and creating a low productivity trap, the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) said.

Real wages also decreased after high inflation following the 2022 currency crisis.

At a recent discussion, IPS researchers said the negative growth recorded up to the third quarter of 2023 which had a direct impact on the labour market and the resultant “low productivity trap” has hampered further economic recovery.

The discussion held at the launch of the institute’s State of the Economy 2024 report focused on issues within three key aspects of Sri Lanka’s economy: the education sector, labour market, and public sector.

IPS Research Officer Suresh Ranasinghe noted that, between 2018 and 2023, Sri Lanka’s labour force participation rate fell from 51.8 percent to 48.6 percent, while the employment-to-population ratio dropped from 49.5 percent to 46.3 percent. According to Ranasignhe, some of the main issues within Sri Lanka’s labour market include rising labour market inactivity, declining labour productivity and employment growth, and declining high-skilled employment.

“While all three sectors – agriculture, industry, and services – observed negative average labour productivity from 2018 to 2023, the ICT sector stands out, with the highest output per worker.”

IPS said in a statement on Tuesday October 15 that the discussion had focused on the need to invest in technology, infrastructure, and skill development, particularly within the agriculture sector. Given the ICT sector’s high productivity, recommendations included offering VAT exemptions and bridging the existing skill gap within the sector through targeted interventions.

“Only 20 percent of the total workers held high-skilled jobs in 2023, a decline from 23 percent in 2018, mainly due to a decrease in the share of Managers, Senior Officials, and Legislators,” said Ranasinghe.

One potential reason for this decline was the emigration of high-skilled workers during the pandemic and economic crisis, as they sought better wages abroad due to declining real wages in Sri Lanka. To retain the remaining high-skilled workers, the importance of providing competitive salaries and benefits was pointed out by speakers at the event.

“In the long term, expanding knowledge-based industries, supporting persistent professional development, and revising public sector policies are important to foster high-skilled employment.”

Rationalising public sector employment was also a point of discussion at the event.

Sri Lanka’s public sector accounts for 15 percent of total employment and 35 percent of formal employment, while it consumes 26 percent of public expenditure and 5 percent of GDP, said IPS. Notably, public sector employment has increased by about 60 percent since 2005. However, “Sri Lanka’s government performance is considered ‘poor’ as per the Worldwide Governance Index (WGI), with the government effectiveness being negative 0.65.”

“The rise in inactivity, particularly among youth, is likely linked to education disruptions. To tackle this, the session highlighted the importance of promoting and improving the quality of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), focusing on access for vulnerable youth and improving public perceptions, as well as supporting entrepreneurship initiatives to create sustainable employment opportunities,” IPS said in its statement.

IPS Research Fellow Lakmini Fernando discussed the importance of improving public sector efficiency. She noted how government expenditure has a declining trend (47 percent decline from 1990 to 2023) while spending on wages remains stable (5 percent). While high government expenditure crowds out investments, it lowers prospects for growth. Fernando recommended introducing a new public management approach, which provides an immediate pay rise while ensuring the right size of the public sector. An effective public sector is essential for improving education planning and enabling strategic interventions in the labour market, she said.

Overall, Fernando noted that improving administrative operations, downsizing the sector, and addressing barriers that lead to policy failures were important. A debate ensued during the Q&A session on downsizing the sector and whether or not the public sector deserves a pay rise. “The minimum monthly wages of all types of public employee levels are below the expenditure benchmark of LKR 68,056,” said Fernando, suggesting that to ensure successful policy implementation, the government needs to create an environment that supports adopting changes.

The institute also noted that education equips individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for a productive and competitive workforce and fosters creativity and problem-solving abilities essential for driving innovation and technological advancements.

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Navy divers restore sluice gate of Bomburuella Reservoir

Published

6 hours ago

2026/01/23

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy successfully conducted a diving operation on 19 Jan 26 to inspect and restore the sluice gate of the Bomburuella Reservoir.

Acting on a request from the Department of Irrigation, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed a specialized diving team from the Western Naval Command, for the urgent requirement.

Through concerted effort, the Navy divers successfully cleared accumulated debris, including a significant quantity of wooden fragments, which had impeded the sluice gate mechanism.

News

PM holds High-Level meetings with EU, UNDP, and corporate leadership at World Economic Forum

Published

11 hours ago

2026/01/23

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held a series of high-level bilateral meetings on Wednesday [January 21] on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, engaging with representatives of the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme, and the global private sector.

The Prime Minister met with Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management. During the meeting, she expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the support extended by the European Union and its member states following Cyclone Ditwa. The Prime Minister also briefed the Commissioner on the key findings of the World Bank’s GRADE report and requested continued EU support for Sri Lanka’s development and recovery efforts.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Alexander De Croo, representing the United Nations Development Programme. She expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the United Nations and acknowledged the UN’s support in flood relief and livelihood assistance. The Prime Minister noted that, following the mandate received at the parliamentary election, the government is focused on meeting public expectations through national rebuilding grounded in public trust and good governance. She further reaffirmed the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening social protection systems and safeguarding vulnerable communities.

In addition, the Prime Minister met with Robert M. Uggla, Chairman of A.P. Moller Holding. The discussion focused on engagement with the private sector and potential areas of collaboration.

These meetings reflected Sri Lanka’s continued engagement with international partners and global stakeholders to support recovery, development, and long-term economic stability.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Opposition slams sitting HC judge’s appointment as Justice Ministry Additional Secretary

Published

15 hours ago

2026/01/23

Thilina Walpola

Prof. Peiris

… alleges Prez trying to control judiciary

Opposition grouping ‘Mahajana Handa’ has accused President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of trying to exercise control over the judiciary by appointing a sitting High Court judge as Additional Secretary to the Justice and National Integration Ministry.

Addressing the media at Dr. N. M. Perera Centre, Punchi Borella, on Tuesday (20) top Opposition spokesman and former External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris warned the High Court judge D.M.D.C. Bandara’s appointment was nothing but a direct executive intervention in the judiciary.

Responding to The Island queries, Prof Peiris asked how the government could compel courts to deal with a sitting judge who functioned as Secretary to the Justice and National Integration Ministry.

Prof. Peiris explained that the latest move by the Executive should be examined taking into consideration the attacks on Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe Jr, PC., the deliberate delaying of the appointment of Auditor General and the controversy over the process of promotions of Judicial Officers, Judges of the High Court and the Court of Appeal in Sri Lanka. Prof. Peiris pointed out that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) had raised those controversial promotions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

D.M.D.C. Bandara, Senior Assistant Secretary, Judicial Service Commission, was among altogether 18 High Court judges appointed by President Dissanayake in early Sept this year. The group consisted of 17 Special Class Judicial Officers and a Senior State Counsel serving in the Attorney General’s Department.

Referring to a recent meeting ‘Mahajana Handa’ representatives, including him had with the Mahanayake theras of the Asgiriya and Malwatta Chapters in Kandy, Prof. Peiris said that they had received the blessings of the Mahanayakes to go ahead with what he called a programme of action meant to address major issues.

Prof. Peiris said they would initiate talks with other like-minded political parties and groups in this regard soon. Referring a protest held at the Hulftsdorp on Wednesday (21) demanding the removal of the AG Ranasinghe, Prof. Peiris emphasized that the government’s hand in that demonstration was very clear. President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed him as the AG in July 2024 with the unanimous backing of the Constitutional Council.

Prof. Peiris said that action was yet to be initiated to appoint new civil society representatives to the Constitutional Council. That issue hadn’t received sufficient public attention, Prof. Peiris said, urging President Dissanayake to come down from his high horse.

Asked whether the President could appoint a sitting judge as an Additional Secretary to a Ministry without consulting the Chief Justice and President of the High Court Judges Association, sources familiar with the issues at hand said that certain appointments could be made on secondment. However, that has to follow the proper procedure, sources said.

The Island sought a response from the Justice and National Integration Ministry to the accusations made by Prof. Peiris on behalf of ‘Mahajana Handa,’ but did not receive one until this edition went to press.

By Shamindra Ferdinando ✍️