30-31 January 2012

‘South Asian Regional Consultation on Human Development Report & Measurement of Human Development Progress’, IPS Auditorium

A ‘South Asian Regional Consultation on Human Development Report & Measurement of Human Development Progress’ organized by the IPS, UNDP Human Development Report Office, New York and UNDP – Sri Lanka took place at the IPS Auditorium during 30-31 January, 2012.

The objective of the consultation was to elicit a feedback on the planned content and structure of the Human Development Reports for 2012 and 2013.The Consultation attempted to elicit the opinion of policy makers, academics and civil society advocates on the important issues relating to the themes in the South Asian context and to identify key partners who can take forward the key messages and recommendations of the reports. The aim was to engage with them on an ongoing basis and to build and strengthen regional networks on human development.

The panel of experts for the consultation included leading policy makers, academics, and civil society representatives from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The key note address was delivered by Hon. D. E. W. Gunasekera, Senior Minister of Human Resources.

Media Highlights

http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=44328

http://www.ft.lk/2012/02/01/human-development-much-to-celebrate-yet-formidable-challenges-remain-dew/#more-69289

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20th January, 2012

Book Launch: ‘Marx’s Theory of Price & Its Modern Rivals’, IPS Auditorium

The Book Launch of ‘Marx’s Theory of Price and Its Modern Rivals’ by Howard Nicholas, Published by Palgrave, Macmillan, 2011, took place on the 20th January, 2012, at the IPS Auditorium. The welcome address was delivered by Dr Saman Kelegama, Executive Director, while the author of the book, Dr. Howard Nicholas gave an introduction to the book. Remarks on the book was made by Prof. W. D. Lakshman, Chairman, IPS. The Book was reviewed by Prof. Sumanasiri Liyanage, Associate Professor of Economics, Department of Economics & Statistics, University of Peradeniya. Many distinguished guests were present at this occasion.

After the Book Launch, a portrait of Dr. Howard Nicholas was unveiled by the Chairman of the IPS at the IPS Conference Room.

Dr. Howard Nicholas was the first Resident Coordinator (representing the Institute of Social Studies [ISS], The Hague, Netherlands – the Coordinator of the Sri Lanka – Netherlands Technical Cooperation Project) at the IPS. He assisted the IPS project under the Ministry of Finance & Planning during 1985 to 1988, establishing the Institute under an Act of Parliament in 1988, coordinating the formal operation as an autonomous body in 1989 and gazetting the IPS in 1990. He served as the Resident Coordinator for a six year period: 1985 – 1991. His main research work at the IPS was in inflation, which was published under the IPS Macroeconomic Research Series in 1991. Currently, he serves as a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Economics, at the ISS.

Media Highlights

http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=43794

http://www.lakbimanews.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4371:kumar-david-writes&catid=46:columns&Itemid=50

http://www.lakbimanews.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4370:dr-vickramabahu-karunaratne-writes&catid=46:columns&Itemid=50

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4th January 2012

Ambassador of Vietnam in Sri Lanka and Counselor visit IPS

Ambassador of Vietnam in Sri Lanka, Ton Sinh Thanh and Counselor, Phung Trong Tuan, made a courtesy call at the IPS and met the Executive Director to discuss possible collaboration of the Vietnam Embassy with the IPS to organize a conference on Economic Relations between Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The meeting took place at the Board Room, IPS on 4th January 2012.

The bilateral economic relations between Vietnam and Sri Lanka have been growing over the years. To explore the current trends in trade, investment, and tourism and the prospects for the future, a conference will be organized by the IPS in collaboration with the Embassy to coincide with the Expo Exhibition in end March 2012. The Embassy will invite a number of experts from Vietnam for the conference.

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15-16 December 2011

Opening of the ESCAP Sub-Regional Office for South and South West Asia in Delhi, India

Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director, IPS, made a presentation at the “High-Level Policy Dialogue on Development Challenges Facing the South and South West Asia Region” at the inaugural event of the ESCAP Sub-Regional Office for South and South West Asia in Delhi, India, 15-16 December 2011.

The ESCAP Sub-Regional Office was declared open by Hon. Sarath Amunugama, Senior Minister, International Monetary Cooperation where many South Asian dignitaries participated, including the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Amartya Sen. This was followed by the High-Level Policy Dialogue.

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25 November, 2011

International Conference on ‘Institutionalizing Regional Approaches to Migration Management in South Asia’,
Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo

IPS, in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Colombo, organized an International Conference on ‘Institutionalizing Regional Approaches to Migration Management in South Asia’, at the Taj Samudra Hotel, on 25 November, 2011.

The objective of the conference was to discuss the role of existing regional consultative forums for managing migration in South Asia, and defining the role of the proposed South Asia Migration Commission (SAMC) in this consultative process. The conference included researchers on migration from the South Asian region, government officials, and participants from national and international agencies dealing with issues of migration.

The Chief Guest on the occasion was Hon. Dilan Perera, Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare, Government of Sri Lanka. Ms. Bettina Meier, Resident Representative, FES, delivered the Welcome Address. The Guest of Honour was Dr. Richard Danziger, Chief of Mission, International Organization for Migration, (IOM), Sri Lanka. Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director, IPS, presented an overview of the objectives of the conference.

Concept Note

      Programme

International Conference on “Institutionalizing Regional Approaches to Migration Management in South Asia”
Summary Report

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22nd November, 2011

Launch of the UNDP Human Development Report (HDR) 2011, IPS Auditorium

The launch of the UNDP Human Development Report 2011 titled, “Sustainability and Equity: A Better Future for All,” took place on November 22, 2011 at the IPS Auditorium in the presence of Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Minister of Environment, who delivered the keynote address.

This year’s report focuses on the challenge of sustainable and equitable progress, and shows how environmental degradation intensifies inequality through adverse impacts on already disadvantaged people and how inequalities and human development amplify environmental degradation.

The report ranks Sri Lanka at the 97th position out of 187 countries in terms of human development, whilst being ahead of all its neighbours in South Asia. Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director, IPS, made a presentation on Review of Economic Implications of Equity and Sustainability Aspects while, Dr. B. M. S. Batagoda, Director General of the Department of National Planning, made a presentation on ‘Review of Sustainability Aspects in Relation to Sri Lanka’ and Dr. Dileni Gunawardena, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Peradeniya, made a presentation on ‘Review of Equity Aspects in Relation to Sri Lanka’.

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3-4 November 2011

International Conference on Taxation and Development, Ceylon Continental Hotel, Colombo

IPS together with the International Centre for Tax and Development, UK, organized an International Conference on Taxation and Development under the theme ‘Pulling Ourselves Up: Taxation, State-Building, and Away from Aid’ during the 3rd and 4th November 2011 at the Ceylon Continental Hotel. The Inland Revenue Department (IRD), Sri Lanka Institute of Taxation, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) were partner organizations in this Conference.

While seminars and discussions on taxation matters are ubiquitous in Colombo, particularly in the pre-and post-Budget period each year, the key value addition of this conference was that the Sri Lankan audience gained exposure to the latest thinking on taxation issues from tax practitioners and experts in developing economies, which Sri Lanka can relate to. Uniquely, the international resource persons for this conference were drawn from African countries, including Allen Kagina, Director General of the Uganda Tax Authority, Aiden Keanly, Director International Relations of the South Africa Revenue Service, and Attiya Waris of the African Tax Justice Network. The conference explored the political-economy of taxation, exposing the Sri Lankan audience, particularly stakeholders in the taxation arena, to the new thinking on the link between taxation/government revenue and governance and development. It also explored the African successes in taxation and tax administration, and options and strategies for greater domestic revenue mobilization in Sri Lanka in the context of the country needing to move away from dependence on foreign aid.

The thematic areas of the conference sessions were: ‘Global Views on Taxation, Governance, and Development’; ‘Taxation to Support Post-war Growth: Emerging Challenges for Sri Lanka’; ‘Tax Incentives for Investment: Making it Cost-effective and Competitive’; ‘An All-round Tax Success: The South African Story’; ‘Tax Administration Reform’; and ‘Decentralized Revenue Mobilization: Challenges and Opportunities’. The final session was a ‘Talking Economics’ Open Forum on ‘Taxation Matters for Everyone: The Challenge of Inclusive Tax Policy-making’.

The opening ceremony of the conference saw the attendance of Hon. Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation and Hon. D.E.W. Gunasekera, Hon. Senior Minister for Human Resources. Participants included IRD officials, tax experts, economists, researchers, private sector professionals, government officials, and leaders of business councils/chambers of commerce, journalists, and representatives from relevant civil society organizations.

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22-23 October, 2011

4th South Asia Economic Summit, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director, IPS, Dr. Dushni Weerakoon, Deputy Director, IPS, and Anushka Wijesinha, Research Economist of IPS were resource persons at the 4th South Asia Economic Summit (SAES), held in Dhaka, Bangladesh during 22 -23 October, 2011. It was organized by the Centre for Policy Dialogue, Bangladesh. IPS was a co-organizer of the 4th South Asia Economic Summit along with RIS (India), SACEPS (Nepal), SAWTEE (Nepal), and SDPI (Pakistan).

Executive Director made a presentation on " What has been the Role of SAARC in Ameliorating Poverty in the Region?" during the plenary session ‘Towards an Inclusive Growth in South Asia: Role of Regional Cooperation’. Dr. Dushni Weerakoon made a presentation on "Managing Migration and Remittances: A Sri Lankan Perspective" during the parallel session on ‘Managing International Migration and Flow of Remittances: Recent Global Developments and Implications for South Asia’. Anushka Wijesinha made a presentation on "Liberalization of Air Services in South Asia" in the parallel session on ‘Transport Connectivity in South Asia and Beyond: Current Status and the Next Steps’

At the summit, the Executive Director also launched the book ‘Migration, Remittances, and Development in South Asia’, and presented copies to the Hon. Minister of Finance of Bangladesh, Hon. Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation of Sri Lanka, Hon. Special Envoy to the President of the Maldives and Hon. Senior Advisor on Economic Affairs to the President of Afghanistan.

This year’s Summit, held just a few weeks prior to the SAARC Summit in Maldives, is the fourth edition of the three South Asia Economic Summits organized previously in 2008, 2009, 2010 in Colombo, New Delhi, and Katmandu, respectively. The theme of the Summit was “Global Recovery, New Risks and Sustainable Growth: Repositioning South Asia” .

The broad objective of SAES IV was to facilitate dialogue between relevant stakeholders to identify key trade and socio-economic issues for regional cooperation in South Asia, in the context of continuing global economic adversity. Discussions also included the challenges in accelerating trade in the region, issues of food security, migration imperatives, transport connectivity, climate change, regional cooperation on energy security, managing regional water resources, and the role of non-state actors in development and democracy in the region. The final plenary session also discussed the political challenge in delivering on the ‘South Asian Dream’ of closer regional integration towards an economic union.

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19th October 2011

IPS Annual National Conference - “Post-conflict Sri Lanka: Towards Shared Growth”
IPS Auditorium.

The IPS Annual National Conference on the theme “Post-conflict Sri Lanka: Towards Shared Growth”, took place at the IPS Auditorium on 19th October, 2011. The Chief Guest at the occasion was Hon. Tissa Vitarana, Senior Minister of Scientific Affairs and the Guest of Honour was Hon. D.E.W. Gunasekera, Senior Minister of Human Resources.

At the National Conference, IPS released its flagship report “Sri Lanka: State of the Economy 2011” . The theme for this year is “Post-conflict Growth: Making it Inclusive”.

The report begins by assessing the emerging risks to growth and stability for the Sri Lankan economy in the light of developments in both the external and domestic economic environment. While Sri Lanka has made a rapid recovery, with GDP growth continuing at 8 per cent into the first half of 2011, threats to sustained growth remain in view of a weakening global economic environment. In the circumstances, retaining necessary fiscal, monetary and exchange rate policy flexibility to respond appropriately to changing economic conditions is vital for macroeconomic stability.

Growth that is underpinned by stability will allow Sri Lanka to meet its broader socio-economic development objectives of an inclusive growth process that will help bridge existing inequities. Apart from the desirability of inclusive growth from a purely ethical standpoint, inclusiveness is needed for sustaining economic growth, as exclusion leads to underemployment of productive resources that could restrict growth. The report focuses on how rapid growth can address disparities in the delivery of public services and improve the business environment across different population groups in post-conflict Sri Lanka.

Inclusive development, however, is not only about sharing growth. It is also about empowering people to participate meaningfully in creating growth. This involves empowering people through investing in their health and education and giving them equitable opportunities to access productive resources. The demands of the labour market and the needs of the education and health sectors of the country are evolving alongside development, demographic, technological and market changes. The report explores the considerable challenges faced by Sri Lanka in meeting the changing demands of these sectors.

Rapid growth must also not leave the vulnerable behind. Sri Lanka’s large share of informal sector workers, currently estimated to be 62 per cent of the workforce, are in less productive sectors such as agriculture and fisheries. The report examines in detail issues and policy options to broaden and enable equal access for economic opportunities for them. The analysis includes an assessment of the vulnerabilities faced by poor informal employees and the unemployed in terms of socio-economic, political, and geographical factors, and existing social protection measures and their gaps.

The report is available for sale from the IPS premises at No. 100/20, Independence Avenue, Colombo 07,( Tel: +94-11-2143100, +94-11-2665068 ) and bookshops island-wide. More details of the report could be obtained from the IPS website www.ips.lk.

Media Highlights

Daily Financial Times 31.10.2011

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17th October, 2011

On the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty a Policy Dialogue, was hosted jointly by the IPS, Ministry of Economic Development and the United Nations in Sri Lanka. Honorable Sarath Amunugama, Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation, was the Chief Guest at the occasion.

Programme

Concept Note

Highlights in the Media

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/10/23/fin04.asp

Daily FT, 18th October, 2011

Daily News, 18th October, 2011

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13-14 October, 2011

National Technical Workshop on the formulation of the National Human Resources and Employment Policy organized by the Secretariat for Senior Ministers and the International Labour Organization (ILO) took place at Hotel Taj Samudra, 13-14 October, 2011.

Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director, IPS, chaired a session on “Promoting Productive Employment and Decent Work for All: Global Perspectives”. Dr. Dushni Weerakoon, Deputy Director, IPS, made a presentation on “Macroeconomic Policy for Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work for All”. The session was chaired by Prof. W.D. Lakshman, Chairman, IPS. Dr. Nisha Arunatilake, Research Fellow, IPS, made a presentation on “Human Resources Planning, Development, Management and Productivity”.

The IPS made a contribution to the preparation of this policy document. The website of the National Human Resources and Employment Policy was launched at the event by Senior Ministers of the government.

Highlights in the Media

http://sundaytimes.lk/111023/BusinessTimes/bt027.html

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8-9th October 2011

Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director, IPS, and Anushka Wijesinha, Research Economist, IPS were resource persons at the Regional Conference on ‘Knowledge Sharing on Regional Cooperation and Integration’, held in Malé, Maldives, during 8-9th October 2011. It was organized by the Government of the Republic of Maldives in association with the SAARC Secretariat, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Executive Director made a presentation on ‘Vertical Integration of Industries in South Asia’ while Anushka Wijesinha made presentations on ‘Trade Facilitation Issues in South Asia’ and ‘Liberalization of Air Services in South Asia’. All three presentations were based on research studies that the IPS completed for the SACEPS. These research papers will be forthcoming as Chapters in a book edited by Hans Brunner of the ADB and published by Edward Elgar, U.K.

On the 9th of October a Consultative Meeting on Strengthening SAARC’s Institutional Mechanism took place with H.E. the President of Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed inaugurating the meeting. The Executive Director made a presentation on the subject and made a summary presentation of the recommendations at the end, which will be submitted by the SAARC Secretariat as a policy document for the forthcoming 17th SAARC Summit in Male.

The conference was attended by economists and researchers in the region, heads of South Asia/SAARC desks of the region’s External Affairs Ministries, former SAARC Secretary Generals and senior officials of the SAARC Secretariat including the current Secretary General, Fathimath Saed.

The Sri Lankan delegation also included Amb. Nihal Rodrigo (former Secretary General, SAARC and former Secretary Ministry of External Affairs, Sri Lanka), Mr. Sumith Nakandala (Director General, Economics Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs), and Mr. Rajakaruna (Director, South Asia/SAARC, Ministry of External Affairs).

The fourth photograph shows Dr. Kelegama with the President of Maldives, His Excellency Mohamed Naseem. In the extreme left of the photograph is the Special Envoy to the President of Maldives, Ibrahim Hussain Zaki.

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22 September, 2011

Anushka Wijesinha, Research Economist, IPS, gave a Public Lecture titled ‘Sri Lanka in a Changing Global Economic Landscape’ at the American Centre in Colombo on Thursday 22nd September 2011.

Anushka Wijesinha’s talk centered around the evolving global economic power balance, the prospects and challenges for growth in Asia, including the ‘Asian Giants’ India and China, opportunities emerging in South Asia, why the Western developed economies, especially countries like America and Germany will preserve their preeminent position despite their current economic fragility, and current challenges in global economic governance. The talk concluded with comments on how Sri Lanka needs to take a strategic view with regards to its foreign policy to effectively navigate amidst these changing dynamics.

Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, former Director Economic Affairs of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, and Dr. Anura Ekanayake, immediate past Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and IPS Governing Board member, were panelists at the talk.

The audience included government officials, private sector leaders, members of the Sri Lankan and foreign diplomatic communities, representatives of multilateral development organizations, academics and researchers.

Media coverage - http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=2122985352

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20-22 September, 2011

The 4th SAARC Business Leaders Conclave took place in Kathmandu, Nepal, during 20-22 September, 2011. Executive Director made a presentation on ‘Trade and Investment in South Asia: Opportunities and Challenges’.

The Conclave was inaugurated by the President of Nepal, H.E. Dr Ram Baran Yadav in the presence of the Guest of Honour, the former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Hon. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake. The Conclave was organized by the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with Friedrich Naumann Stiftung.

Highlights in the Media

http://arthakoarthanews.com/?p=3794

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12 September, 2011

A Seminar & ‘Expert Insights’ Panel on ‘2011 and Beyond: Trade & Investment Prospects in Asia and Implications for Sri Lanka’, organized by the IPS and supported by the Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade (ARTNeT) took place at the IPS Auditorium. Chief Guest at the occasion was Hon. Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation, Government of Sri Lanka and Chairman, 67th Session of the Commission, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director, IPS.

Anushka Wijesinha, Research Economist, IPS, made a presentation on ‘Key Highlights of Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report 2011 (UNESCAP)’, while Expert Insights were presented by Narhari Rao, Lead Economist – Asian Development Bank Sri Lanka Country Office, Anura Ekanayake, Immediate Past Chairman - Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Member, Board of Governors – IPS, and Mafaz Ishaq, Director - Calamander Capital Singapore Pte. Ltd (Colombo Office).

Highlights in the Media

http://www.ips.lk/staff/ed/publications_ed/international/migration_remittances_development/migration_remittances.html

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4th August 2011

“Migration, Remittances, and Development in South Asia” published by Sage, India was launched by handing over the first copy of the book to Hon. Dilan Perera, Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare by the Executive Director of the IPS, at the Ministry on 04 August 2011.

The book edited by the Executive Director of the IPS, Dr. Saman Kelegama, carries contributions from seven IPS reach staff, viz., Dushni Weerakoon, Nisha Arunatilake, Priyanka Jayawardena, Roshini Jayaweera, Suwendrani Jayaratne, Deshal De Mel, and Tilani Jayawardhana. The book also carries case studies of all eight SAARC members and an overall South Asian case study. The South Asian Migration Commission which was launched in 2009 in Colombo is also elaborated in the book. Further details can be viewed in

http://www.ips.lk/staff/ed/publications_ed/international/migration_remittances_development/migration_remittances.html

Executive Director was accompanied by the Deputy Director, Dr. Dushni Weerakoon and Research Fellow, Dr. Nisha Arunatilake, and the Minister was accompanied by Mr. Somasundaram, Private Secretary to the Minister.

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30th July 2011

Former Foreign Minister of Singapore, Mr. George Yeo, Chairman of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), Singapore, Mr. Gopinath Pillai, together with two officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, visited the IPS on 30th July 2011.

Mr. George Yeo discussed the post-conflict economy and the on-going reintegration of the North and Eastern provinces with the rest of the Sri Lanka economy with the Executive Director, IPS, Dr. Saman Kelegama, while Mr. Gopinath Pillai discussed the on-going research work at the IPS and possible collaborative work with the ISAS in the near future. The preparation of the Encyclopedia of the Sri Lankan Diaspora by the ISAS and the South Asian Diaspora Convention of the ISAS also featured in the discussions.

Picture, L to R: Siew Kheng Kang, Director, South Asia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore; George Yeo, former Foreign Minister, Singapore; Saman Kelegama, Executive Director, IPS; Gopinath Pillai, Chairman, ISAS; Derek Pua Suan Kiang, Country Office, South Asia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore.

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13th July, 2011

The IPS Auditorium was declared open by the Chairman, Prof. W. D. Lakshman on 13th July, 2011. Present at the occasion were IPS Board Members, Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan (Senior lecturer in Economics, University of Colombo), Mr. B. N. S. Batagoda (Director-General, Department of National Planning), and Mr. P. A. Abeysekera (Deputy Secretary to the Treasury). Mr. Ashley de Vos (Architect of the IPS Building) and all IPS staff were present at the occasion. Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director, IPS, delivered the welcome address, followed by opening remarks by the Chairman.

The new theatre style auditorium with a hundred seating capacity has a central control system, high-tech audio, video and simultaneous translation facilities.

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11th July 2011

Anushka Wijesinha,Research Economist, IPS, made two presentations at a Stakeholder Consultation on Strategic Partnership for Policy Development and Action to Foster Regional Cooperation in South Asia organized jointly by RIS (India) and the Pathfinder Foundation (Sri Lanka), and supported by the ADB, on Monday 11th July 2011 at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.

The first presentation was on ‘Trade in Services between India and Sri Lanka’, with Mangala Yapa (Managing Director/CEO of Colombo Dockyard PLC) and Rohan Samarajiva (Chair and CEO, LIRNEasia) as discussants. The presentation focused on the opportunities and challenges for services trade between the two countries, following previous presentations which had focused on the progress in trade in goods under the India-Sri Lanka-FTA. Presentation

The second presentation was on ‘Value Chain Development for Fostering Regional Cooperation in South Asia: Case of Tea Sector in Sri Lanka’, with Rohan Fernando (Vice President, Sri Lanka Tea Exporters’ Association and Chairman of HVA Lanka Food Exports) as the discussant. The presentation, which was based on a study undertaken by RIS, conducted by Dilani Hirimuthugodage, Research Officer, IPS, and Anushka Wijesinha, focused on the opportunities and challenges for building regional cooperation in the tea industry within South Asia, given that the region accounts for 45% of global tea production and 32% of black tea exports. Options for joint ventures in marketing among South Asian tea exporters were also discussed, as potential strategies for regional value chain development. Presentation

Participants at the Stakeholder Consultation included senior officials of the Departments of Commerce in Sri Lanka and India, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Sri Lanka, private sector leaders, academics and researchers from Sri Lanka and India and officials from the ADB in Sri Lanka and India.

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22nd June, 2011

Anushka Wijesinha, Research Officer, IPS, was a resource person at a Regional Symposium on ‘Improving Trade Flows in and from South Asia: Overcoming Logistics Challenges’ organized by the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) and the Commonwealth Secretariat UK, held on 22nd June 2011, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Wijesinha made a presentation on “Trade Facilitation Issues in South Asia: Key Highlights” at the session on ‘Overview of Regional Trade Facilitation’ and was a discussant for the session on ‘Trade Facilitation Initiatives: Country Perspectives’. His presentation highlighted the weak standing of South Asian countries’ in this field, vis-a-vis other regions, and the need for South Asia to embark on a coordinated and committed effort at improving trade facilitation and logistics barriers in the region in order to enhance trade flows. The presentation also emphasized the need for robust Trade Facilitation Taskforces/Councils at the national level.

The Chief Guest at the Symposium was the Bangladesh Minister of Commerce, Mr. Muhammad Faruk Khan, and the sessions were attended by researchers, government officials, private sector entrepreneurs and trade facilitation and logistics experts from South Asia.

Presentation

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10th June, 2011

A Workshop to disseminate findings conducted by a team of researchers at IPS, for the study on ‘Baseline Assessment of the OXFAM EU-ACAP (European Union Assistance for Conflict Affected People) was conducted at the Conference Room, IPS, on 10th June, 2011.

This study collected data from almost 2000 households from Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka and covered several themes such as socio economic characteristics, livelihood activities (mainly Paddy, Market Gardening and Dairy Production), community infrastructure and other social issues (related to gender and protection) of post-conflict communities. The study also suggests some recommendations for further improvement of the programme.

A number of participants from different NGOs working in Northern and Eastern Province participated in this workshop. Socio Economic Development Organization Trincomalee (SEDOT) and Sarvodaya from Trincomalee, Eastern Self-Reliant Community Awakening Organization (ESCO) and Sarvodaya from Batticaloa, Social Welfare Organization for Ampara (SWOAD) and Sarvodaya from Ampara district, Federation of Social Development Organizations (FOSDOO) and National Gender and Community Development Organization (N-GECDO) Vavuniya district and local NGOs participated in this workshop. Apart from these participants, Oxfam staff from Colombo Head Office and branches in Northern and Eastern provinces also participated in the dissemination workshop.

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18th May, 2011

Ashani Abayasekara, Research Assistant, IPS, made a presentation on "Economic Freedom: The Role of Stakeholders in the Regulation of the Business Environment - A Sri Lankan Perspective" at a seminar on Economic Freedom and the Business Environment in South Asia. It was held on May 18th 2011 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, organized by the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) in collaboration with the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

The seminar facilitated a dialogue between relevant stakeholders, in particular those engaged in business-related activities. It attempted to identify key challenges faced by South Asia as a region in moving towards greater economic freedom given the stringent and non-transparent laws and regulations governing the business environment, credit, and labour markets in most South Asian economies. Measures that could be adopted to overcome such challenges were also debated. Discussions focused on the need for a well-functioning legal structure and the importance of safeguarding intellectual property rights in the context of economic freedom.

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3rd – 5th May, 2011

Anushka Wijesinha, Research Officer, IPS, participated in a International Seminar “Selected Outstanding Issues in Services, Trade and Development” organized jointly by ARTNet of UNESCAP, and the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), in Manila, Philippines, from the 3rd to 5th May 2011.

The purpose of the event was to promote a policy dialogue between trade officials and researchers in the region on the current state of readiness of countries to conduct analytical research in these new areas, as well as the implications of such research to the broader development objectives of the countries in the region. Trade experts from WTO and other organizations also provided their insights on trade and related issues.

Participants were drawn from government ministries and trade-related agencies, research and academic institutions from the Asia-Pacific region, and international organizations. Two other participants attended from Sri Lanka –the Deputy Director, National Planning Department, Ministry of Finance and Planning, and the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Co-operatives and Internal Trade.

http://www.adfiap.org/news/adfiap-shares-sme-best-practices-with-sri-lankas-policy-studies-agency/

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5th May 2011

The UN Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2011 prepared by UN-ESCAP, was launched at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on 5th May 2011. Dr Dushni Weerakoon, Deputy Director, IPS made a presentation at the launch. UNESCAP Economic Affairs Officer Dr.Muhammed Hussain Malik, UNDP Country Director, Douglas Keh and former Central Bank Deputy Governor W.A. Wijewardena were also present at the occasion.

Highlights in the Media

Article

Article

7-8 April 2011

IPS organized two Consultative Meetings on ‘Promoting Agrarian Reforms in Sri Lanka’ and ‘Budgetary Policies for Poverty Eradication in Sri Lanka’ on 7th and 8th April 2011, respectively, at the Main Conference Room at IPS.

These two Consultation Seminars were conducted by Prof. Rehman Sobhan, Chairman, Centre for Policy Dialogue, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Dr Saman Kelegama, Executive Director IPS, and Prof. W.D. Lakshman, Chairman of the IPS chaired the two meetings, respectively.

These two Consultations in Sri Lanka were a part of the proposed work programmes by Prof. Rehman Sobhan on operationalizing policy recommendations originating from the study on ‘Challenging the Injustice of Poverty: Agendas for Inclusive Development in South Asia’. This proposed work programme tries to identify specific policies, projects and programmes for poverty eradication in South Asia, which can be taken up as pilot projects or designed as full-fledged policy proposals/programmes in each South Asian country. In addition, it tries to identify potential agents to implement pilot programmes and policy proposals and to discuss with government policymakers/government operational agencies/ NGOs, their willingness to initiate the pilots/programmes. Prof. Rehman Sobhan has identified an indicative list of policies, projects and programmes which will be explored during the course of work programme. Those are Promoting Agrarian Reforms, Enhancing the Market Power of the Excluded through Sharing in the Value Addition Process, Democratizing Education Opportunities, Budgetary Policies for Poverty Eradication, and Financial Policies for Poverty Eradication which are to be explored in each South Asian countries.

Two major objectives of Consultative Meetings in Sri Lanka were to explore the scope for establishing a Commission/Committee on Agrarian Reforms and a high powered civil society/government/academia based Task Force to prepare an Annual Report on the state of poverty eradication and the outcome and coverage of various programmes and policies targeted to serve the excluded. A number of participants from government agencies, the private sector and the academia participated in these two consultations.

26th March 2011

Anushka Wijesinha, Research Officer, IPS, participated in the ‘SME Access to Finance’ programme organized by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and Pacific (ADFIAP), in collaboration with the International Chamber of Commerce at the Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo, on 26th March 2011.

The programme was attended by 40 participants representing the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector in the country, financial sector officials, advisors, consultants and public and private officials involved in SME development. Sessions were conducted by consultants from ADFIAP from the Philippines, and banking sector experts from Sri Lanka.

A key issue faced by SMEs in Sri Lanka is access to finance. One of the crucial elements for their survival and growth is creating a more conducive environment for tapping formal finance by focusing on resolving the constraining factors at both the demand and supply ends. A recent article on the IPS blog Talking Economics (www.ips.lkblogspot.com) highlighted this issue in the context of enterprises in conflict-affected regions of the country (see ‘Access to Credit: Critical Issue for Conflict-Affected Enterprises’ - http://ipslk.blogspot.com/2010/10/access-to-credit-critical-issue-for.html)

Anushka Wijesinha was recently appointed to the Policy Strategy Committee of the Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development tasked with developing an equity financing framework for the SME sector. He is also involved in providing inputs for drafting a new National SME Policy, a task led by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA).

Newspaper coverage - http://www.ft.lk/2011/04/04/ground-breaking-%E2%80%9Csme-access-to-finance%E2%80%9D-workshop-a-success/

24-26 February 2011

Chairman, IPS, Prof. W.D. Lakshman, chaired the Plenary Session on ’Democracy and Inclusive Growth in South Asia’ at the ’World Conference on Recreating South Asia: Democracy, Social Justice, and Sustainable Development’, jointly organized by the South Asia Centre for Policy Studies (SACEPS), Research and Information Systems for Developing Countries (RIS) and the India International Centre (IIC) in New Delhi during 24-26 February 2011.

Executive Director, IPS, Dr. Saman Kelegama, presented the Sri Lanka Country Study on Inclusive Growth in the Parallel Session which was chaired by Dr. Shekar Bonu, Director, South Asia at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

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8th February, 2011

Premila Gamage, Librarian, IPS, was interviewed by Daily Mirror Women @ Work (W@W) in its edition on 8th February 2011. The interview highlights the unique achievements of Premila in Library management.

Article PDF

11-12 January 2011

Asia Forum on Remittances and Development was held during 11 - 12 January 2011, at Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo. It was organized by the Project Consultancy Unit of SEEDS (Gte) Ltd in collaboration with Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI) under the theme of “Implications of Migration, Remittances and Remittance Based Livelihood in Developing Economies”.

The forum attempted to create a dialogue on prospects of remittances with the help of international experts in the field of remittance and also ensure that remittances are invested in development purposes and to retain them in the local economy. Priyanka Jayawardena, Research Officer, presented a paper on “Impact of Remittance on the Household Welfare of the Emigrants in Sri Lanka” at this forum.

17-19 December, 2010

Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director, IPS, and Anushka Wijesinha and Suwendrani Jayaratne, Research Officers of IPS were resource persons at the 3rd South Asia Economic Summit (SAES), held in Katmandu, Nepal during 17th -19th December, 2010.

Dr. Kelegama made a presentation on "Emerging Economic Outlook and Policy Challenges for South Asian Economies" and also chaired the session on "Services Trade in South Asia". Anushka Wijesinha presented a paper on "Air Services Liberalization in South Asia" and Suwendrani Jayaratne was a discussant for the session on "Trade Facilitation and Integration in South Asia".

Following the two South Asia Economic Summits organized in 2008 and 2009 in Colombo and New Delhi, respectively, the 3rd South Asia Economic Summit was organized jointly by South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics & Environment (SAWTEE) and South Asia Centre for Policy Studies (SACEPS) in Kathmandu during 17-19 December 2010. The theme of the Summit was “Regional Economic Integration, Climate Change and Food Security Agenda for the Decade 2011-2020”.

The broad objective of the 3rd SAES is to facilitate dialogue between relevant stakeholders to identify key trade, socio-economic and climate change issues for regional cooperation in South Asia. Discussions also included the progress of the implementation of SAARC commitments on these issues; other emerging regional issues like energy and transport, challenges in broadening and deepening regional cooperation; special needs of the region’s least developed countries (LDCs) and measures to better integrate them with other economies in the region; and immediate steps that need to be taken by SAARC to realize the gains of regional integration.

22nd November 2010

A Stakeholder Consultation Meeting on 'Non-Tariff Measures in Sri Lanka' was held on 22nd November 2010 at the Hilton Colombo Residence, Colombo. It was jointly organized by the IPS and the International Trade Center (ITC), Geneva. Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director of the IPS and Willem Van der Geest, Officer – in – Charge of Division of Market Development of ITC made the opening remarks at the Meeting.

ITC implemented a company survey on NTMs in Sri Lanka in 2010. The Sri Lankan survey identified at sector and partner country-level the key obstacles that the business sector faces when complying with NTMs. Thus the objective of the meeting was to discuss the survey results with key stakeholders, including representatives of various ministries, the private sector, trade support institutions, government agencies, and academics. The other objective of the Consulatation was to provide an in-depth analysis of the survey results, in order to discuss and identify concrete actions that have to be taken in key export and import sectors of Sri Lanka.

Presentations at the meeting were made by Mondher Mimouni, Carolin Averbeck, Poonam Mohun, Shyam Kumar Gujadhur of the ITC, Kenza Le Mentec from the WTO, and Nihal De Silva from Lanka Market Research Bureau. A round table discussion too was held after the main sessions. A large number of participants from government agencies, the private sector and the academia participated in the Conference.

Highlights in the Media

http://www.lbo.lk/fullstory.php?nid=1406125425

http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/11/24/bus01.asp

http://www.ft.lk/2010/11/23/itc-hosted-meeting-on-non-tariff-measures-kicks-off-in-colombo/

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8-20th November 2010

Anushka Wijesinha, Research Officer, IPS, participated in the ‘Advanced Briefing Programme on Critical Strategic and Economic Themes for the Future’, organized by the Indian Council on Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), held in New Delhi, India, during from 8-20th November 2010.

Discussions centred around the changing dynamics of global economic governance, the shifting balance of political-economic power, strategies for South Asian integration, and the prospects and challenges in the rise of China and India. Speakers included Lord Meghnad Desai (LSE, UK), Dr. Rajiv Kumar (FICCI, India), Dr. Rajat Nag (ADB, Phillipines), Prof Simon Evenett (University of St. Gallen, Switzerland), and Dr. Ashley Tellis (Carnegie Endowment for Peace, USA).

Other participants were mainly from research institutes and government agencies in the South Asian region.

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19th November 2010

The IPS in collaboration with the Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung (FES) organized an International Conference on “Institutionalizing Regional Approaches to Migration Management in South Asia” on 19th November 2010 at the Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo.

Richard Danziger, Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Country Office in Sri Lanka was the Chief Guest. Joachim Schluetter, Resident Representative, FES made the welcome address while Saman Kelegama, Executive Director, IPS made an introduction to the Conference. The Guest of Honour, Farooq Sobhan and the Chief Guest later addressed the audience.

Given the importance of migration to the countries of South Asia, there is a need for effective migration management to leverage the benefits of migration as well as to minimize its negative effects for its stakeholders, including the migrants themselves, host societies, and sending countries. In this regard, the South Asia Migration Commission (SAMC) was established in November 2009 to examine various aspects of migration. This Conference was organized to discuss the objectives, progress and obstacles faced so far in implementing the SAMC since its inception, and also to discuss areas which need improvement in ensuring its success. In discussing the way forward, experiences were drawn from a broader global perspective, with a focus on their relevance and feasibility in the SAARC region to make migrant management in South Asia effective.

The speakers in the Conference were Farooq Sobhan (President, Bangladesh Enterprise Institute), Kristina Mejo (Regional Programme Manager, IOM), and Ellene Sana (Executive Director, Centre for Migrant Advocacy & Chair of Executive Committee, Migrant Forum in Asia). Apart from these speakers, distinguished resource persons from the SAMC, other South Asian countries and ASEAN were drawn to deliberate on the issues as discussants and panelists. The conference was attended by government officials, members of international organizations, academics and the civil society.

Summary Report (PDF)

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3-5 November 2010

Nisha Arunatilake presented a paper at the above regional seminar organized by the UNESCO Asia Pacific Regional Bureau for Education in Bangkok, Thailand. Her presentation was on “Formula Funding and Decentralized Management of Schools – Has it Improved Resource Allocation in Schools in Sri Lanka ?”

The presentation was based on a study that finds formula based funding has the potential for improving access to resources at the school level, but the effective management of these funds depend on several factors including school level resources and effective state level monitoring and support.

Presentation

http://www.unescobkk.org/education/news/article/education-finance-and-decentralization-in-asia-implications-for-service-delivery/
http://www.unescobkk.org/education/education-planning-and-management/

Premila Gamage, Librarian, IPS, was awarded the Honorary Fellowship of Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) 2010, for her efforts to bring library and information services to youth in remote regions of the Island and her deep commitment to fostering education.

Premila has supported the development of high quality library and information services, particularly to those with the most limited resources and greatest need. Her work is recognized internationally, as can be seen by her supporters spanning the globe.

For the first time in history, a Sri Lankan librarian was awarded an honorary fellowship of the CILIP (UK) and the IPS is indeed proud of her achievement.

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29th October 2010

The “State of the Economy” report is the flagship annual publication of the IPS that analyses in detail Sri Lanka’s economic performance and explores emerging development challenges for the country.

The 2010 report is devoted to an assessment of the economic challenges of post-conflict growth and stability in Sri Lanka. The decades of conflict and marginalization have left the North and East (N&E) as two of the poorest provinces in the country. The priority is not only to build up the socio-economic environment in the N&E – comparable to the rest of the country – but to do it rapidly. This means adopting a multi-pronged approach to development, which takes into account rebuilding and modernizing destroyed infrastructure, alleviating poverty by promoting economic self-reliance of households, and providing the necessary social safety nets for managing vulnerability to shocks.

Early, robust economic growth that has an immediate widespread impact will go some way towards meeting the aspirations of a post-conflict weary population. GDP growth in the first half 2010 in excess of 7.5 per cent has already signaled that a strong post-conflict economic recovery is underway. However, beyond the immediate recovery efforts must lie clear medium term policy goals that anticipate the transition to long term post-conflict economic development.

A growth boom fuelled by an infrastructure-led investment drive that relies heavily on foreign borrowing can run up against problems. For instance, high economic growth can in turn fuel rapid growth in import expenditure and raise issues of external debt sustainability in the medium term. Thus, Sri Lanka’s expansionary fiscal policy stance in the midst of shrinking aggregate demand in the economy now needs to be reversed to permit fiscal consolidation. In addition to revenue enhancement, spending adjustments must be made to harness a more effective re-allocation of resources and related productivity gains that will allow economic output to expand rapidly in a sustainable manner.

The most prudent course of action is to strengthen the regulatory environment to attract increased volumes of foreign capital such as foreign direct investment (FDI) to bridge Sri Lanka’s savings-investment gap. Regulatory impediments that impact adversely on the country’s investment climate need to be addressed. These include reforms to improve public sector service delivery, reforms to improve the flexibility of labour market conditions, education sector reforms to enhance the skills set of the workforce in line with market needs, etc. In effect, this calls for improving the policies, regulations and institutions that can encourage active private sector participation of both local and foreign investors.

Harnessing the rapid recovery of Sri Lanka’s post-conflict economy with a transformative process of economic reforms holds out the most promising outcome for sustained long term growth. The country has made a positive start and with a prudent management of the economy and related policy reforms, it stands poised to reap the full economic dividends of a post-conflict phase of development.

The report is available for sale from the IPS premises at No. 100/20, Independence Avenue, Colombo 07,( Tel: +94-11-2143100, +94-11-2665068 ) and bookshops island-wide. More details of the report could be obtained from the IPS website www.ips.lk.

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11-12th October 2010

Anushka Wijesinha, Research Officer, IPS. participated in a conference on 'Reforming Services for Inclusive and Sustainable Development of Asia and the Pacific' organized jointly by ARTNeT of UNESCAP and the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), in Bali, Indonesia, during 11-12th October 2010.

The conference discussed key issues related to trade in services, including the role of services in the production structure, trade, and development. The discussions also focused on the need to develop appropriate domestic regulatory frameworks and strengthening the domestic service sub-sectors in preparing for greater private investment in the sector. Technical sessions also focused on the policy and poverty implications of the offshored-services industry, as well as on public sector services and their role in development. Several country case studies were also discussed, including Japan's service sector FDI in ASEAN, Turkey's seaport services liberalization, and China's distribution and logistics services liberalization.

The deliberations were relevant to the Sri Lankan context, in order to draw lessons learnt and best practices, at a time when the service sector in the economy is growing rapidly, and domestic and foreign investment in services industries like tourism, IT, and logistics are gaining momentum

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1st October 2010

A conference on Trade Facilitation Issues Related to the India – Sri Lanka FTA was held on 1st October, 2010 at the Salon Orchid, Galadari Hotel, Colombo, and it was jointly organized by IPS and UNDP Asia Pacific Regional Centre, Bangkok. His Excellency, Ashok K. Kantha, High Commissioner of India, was the Chief Guest. Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director of the IPS made the inaugural address and Biplove Choudhary, Trade Specialist of the UNDP Asia Pacific Regional Centre made the opening remarks to the conference.

Presentations at the conference were made by Suwendrani Jayaratne and Dharshani Premaratne, Research Assistants at IPS. The objective of the conference was to highlight some of the key Trade Facilitation related issues encountered by both Sri Lankan and Indian traders when exporting and importing under India-Sri Lanka Bilateral FTA and possible modalities as to how the Trade Facilitation measures could be effectively implemented were also deliberated. A brief summary and Vote of Thanks, was delivered by Deshal De Mel, Research Economist, IPS.

Highlights in the Media

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/101017/BusinessTimes/bt40.html

13-25 September 2010

The training course was jointly organized by the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS), and the International Institute of Social Sciences of Erasmus University Rotterdam (ISS), the Hague, The Netherlands.

Twenty experts in the field of employment and labour studies gathered in Negombo for a two weeks training on the impact of globalization on labour. High on their agenda was the prospect of realizing –in the globalized world—Decent Work for all. Changes in trade regimes, global production systems and trends in manufacturing strategies were reviewed. Responses from the labour movement and civil society –national and international—were analyzed. At the level of the firm, participants compared how the stakeholders view social dialogue and collective bargaining as different means of resolving conflict.

The course participants, who hailed from various South and Southeast Asian countries, including Sri Lanka, are high level professionals in the area of employment, management and labour studies.

The group included Indian and Pakistan University Professors, representatives of the Ministry of Labour Relations and Manpower, of the National Planning Commission of Nepal, the Bangladesh Ministry of Finance and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), researchers specialized in labour issues from Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Pakistan as well as senior representatives of non-governmental organizations from India, Vietnam and Thailand. Four out of the twenty participants were from Sri Lanka.

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20th September 2010

The MDG 2008/2009 Sri Lanka Country Report was launched with the participation of Deputy Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr Sarath Amunugama, as the Chief Guest, UNDP Resident Representative, Neil Buhne, Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director, IPS, Fredric Abeyratna,UNDP – Colombo, and P. Sumanapala,Additional Director General-Department of National Planning, and many distinguished participants at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo.

Speaking at the launch of the MDG Country Report, Hon. Dr. Sarath Amunugama, said Sri Lanka’s economy grew by more than five per cent each year despite the conflict during the last two decades and could achieve double digit growth in the medium term. "Although the country has achieved many of the MDGs, it still lacked in quality of education and life. The MDGs should be taken as a platform for speedy economic growth while sustaining social well being," he said.

Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director of the IPS said Sri Lanka would be able to achieve most of the MDG targets by 2015."However, there were regional disparities and it was the responsibility of policy makers and authorities to focus their attention on these areas. Suitable strategies should be formulated and implemented effectively, concentrating on the lagging regions," he said.

The MDG Report was prepared by the IPS for the National Council for Economic Development (NCED) and was sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Highlights in the Media

http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=7124
http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/09/21/news01.asp
http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/09/21/news25.asp
http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/09/21/bus01.asp
http://www.thebottomline.lk/2010/09/26/biz_feature4.html

Download

Millennium Development Goals

8-9 August, 2010

Executive Director and Deputy Director made presentations at a Workshop on South Asian Tax Systems organized by the Governance Institutes Network International (GINI) with the sponsorship of IDRC. The Workshop took place at Furama City Hotel, Singapore during 8-9 August, 2010.

Executive Director made a presentation on the “Political Economy of Taxation in Sri Lanka” while the Deputy Director made a presentation on “Recent and Upcoming Fiscal Reforms in Sri Lanka”. The Workshop was a first step towards promoting collaborative research on South Asia’s Tax System.

GINI Workshop Report

29 -30 July, 2010

The IPS organized a conference, in collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung (FES), on “Policy Priorities for Foreign Aid Reform in South Asia” during 29th-30th July 2010 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo.

The IPS was honoured to have Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Deputy Minister of Finance, attend the conference as the Chief Guest. Former Secretary General of SAARC, Ambassador Nihal Rodrigo, participated as the Guest of Honour. The event commenced with a welcome speech delivered by Dr Dushni Weerakoon, Deputy Director, IPS, which was followed by an address by Dr Amunugama and Ambassador Nihal Rodrigo before the commencement of the technical sessions.

Aid has long become an increasingly prominent feature of development financing within South Asia. The conference was designed to provide a critical analysis of the effectiveness of foreign aid in the South Asian region, creating awareness as to where such funding is working and where it is not. Whilst there has been much dialogue on aid effectiveness in recent times, spearheaded by initiatives such as the 2005 Paris Declaration, it has been largely donor-driven with little input from the recipient countries themselves. The greater significance of donor activity within both the designing and implementation process of development activities in South Asia has necessitated the need for recipient countries to assess the impact of donors in their own countries, so as to extinguish the culture of complacency that has accompanied such resources in the past.

As part of the conference, resource people from the eight SAARC countries in the South Asian region presented papers on aid effectiveness in their respective countries. The participating countries were: Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Further to this, there were contributions from key resource persons in government, academia and representatives from major donors operating within the region. The conference was attended by policy makers, academics, donors, civil society and members of the diplomatic community, all of whom had the opportunity to both contribute to and develop their own thinking on the issues at hand.

More

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27 July, 2010

Li Shaoxian, Vice President, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), Hu Shisheng, Deputy Director, Institute of South and South East Asian Studies (ISSEAS), CICIR, together with two Research Fellows of ISSEAS, CICIR, met the Executive Director of the IPS to learn about the growing economic relations between China and Sri Lanka.

CICIR intends to develop collaborative research links with the IPS on economic issues in the near future. The delegation was coordinated by the BCIS and the meeting took place at the IPS Conference Room, 27 July 2010.

18 June, 2010

Regional Consultation Seminar on South Asian Positions in the WTO Doha Round was Jointly organized by the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka and Consumer Unity & Trust Society [CUTS International], India, at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, 18 June, 2010. Anwarul Hoda, Chair Professor, Trade Policy & WTO Research Programme, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) was the Chief Guest. Executive Director of the IPS made the inaugural address and Archana Jatkar, Assistant Policy Analyst, CUTS Centre for International Trade, Environment & Economics (CUTS—CITEE) made the Introduction to the Seminar.

Key presenters at the seminar were, Fredrick Abeyratne, Senior Programme Analyst, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Anura Herath, Sri Lanka Country Programme Management Facilitator, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); Anwarul Hoda, Chair Professor,Trade Policy & WTO Research Programme, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER); Zafar Mahmood, HEC Foreign Professor of Economics, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE); Agneshwar Sen, Joint Director General, Office of the Zonal Joint Director General of Foreign Trade, Kolkata; Amiti Sen, Senior Assistant Trade Editor,The Economic Times, India; Arpita Mukherjee, Professor, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER); and Pushpa Sharma, Programme Coordinator, South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics & Environment (SAWTEE).

A brief summary and Vote of Thanks, was delivered by Joseph George, Research Associate, CUTS Centre for International Trade, Environment & Economics (CUTS—CITEE).

Deshal De Mel, Research Economist, IPS, made a presentation on ‘South Asia and GATS’.

Presentations:

NAMA and iits Implications for South Asian Countries
Dr. Zafar Mahood, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics

South Asia and GATS
Deshal de Mel, Research Economist, IPS

Agriculture in the DDR & South Asian Positions
Anura Herath, Country Programme Officer, Sri Lanka, International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD)

Highlights in the Media:

http://www.lbo.lk/fullstory.php?nid=733420885

http://www.lbo.lk/fullstory.php?nid=1473424781

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14 – 18 June, 2010

IPS was awarded a grant by the Poverty and Economic Policy Network (PEP) for a proposal on: “Will a Tax on Public Servants Improve Progressivity?” presented by Nisha Arunatilake at the 8th General Meeting of the Poverty and Economic Policy Research Network in Dakar, Senegal, during 14th to 18th June, 2010.

Faced with budget constraints, the Sri Lankan government entered into an International Monetary Fund Stand-by-Arrangement (IMF-SBA) for US$ 2.6 bn in 2009. Along with this facility, the government has committed to raising the revenue-to-GDP ratio from 14 per cent at present (2009) to 16.9 per cent of GDP by 2012. A recently appointed Presidential Commission on Taxation has proposed reforms for broadening the tax base and raising revenue.

The proposed study uses household income and expenditure data to assess the progressivity and horizontal inequity considerations of such a change in tax policy in the country.

The research team includes: Priyanka Jayawardena, Aushka Wijesinhe and Nethmini Perera.

24-25 May 2010

The Conference titled ‘Ten Years of the Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement(ILFTA)’ was organized by IPS, the Centre for WTO Studies - Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, the India-Sri Lanka Joint Business Council, and the Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and took place on the 24th and 25th of May. The objective of this conference was to review the performance of the ILFTA, assess the benefits that have resulted, and also examine the pitfalls in the agreement where improvement is needed. Expert reviews and informed evaluations of this nature are necessary in order to improve upon existing trade policy measures such as the ILFTA to ensure that they fulfil their role in contributing to national development objectives.

There was strong stakeholder participation throughout the conference including representation from key private sector chambers such as the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries, National Chamber of Exporters, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka. Major government departments such as the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Trade, Board of Investment, Export Development Board and the Ministry of Industrial Development were represented in the conference as well. The conference was also open to the general public upon prior registration and several members of the private sector, academia and civil society participated at the conference in this capacity.

Programme

Presentations:

Looking Back - Rationale for ILFTA:Objectives & Expectations
Saman Kelegama, Executive Director, IPS

Ten Years of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement: Achievements, Challenges & the Road Ahead
Indra Nath Mukherji, Senior Consultant, Research and Information System for Developing Countries, New Delhi

Outcomes of Ten Years of the ILFTA: Sri Lankan Perspectives
Deshal de Mel, Research Economist, IPS

Ten Years of India-Sri lanka FTA:Outcome and Indian Perspectives
Rajan Sudesh Ratna, Professor, Centre for WTO Studies, New Delhi

Ten Years of the India Lanka Trade Agreement
Saon Ray, Senior Fellow, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Research (ICRIER), New Delhi

Addressing Stakeholder Concerns: Implications For Negotiatiors
Rajan Sudesh Ratna, Professor, Centre for WTO Studies, New Delhi

Media Highlights

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18 May 2010

Hon. Prof.Tissa Vitarana, Minister of Technology & Research, Mrs. Dhara Wijayatilake, Secretary of the Ministry and Prof. Sirimali Fernando, Adviser to the Ministry, visited IPS on 18th May, 2010. As per the new gazette notification, the IPS has been listed under the Ministry of Technology and Research and the Hon. Minister paid a visit to the IPS to obtain information on IPS research work.

Present at this meeting was Chairman, Executive Director and Senior Research staff of the IPS.

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06 May 2010

The launch of the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific Report (ESCAP) Report took place at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) on 6th May, 2010. The theme of the Report was ‘Surging Ahead in Uncertain Times’.

The Executive Director, IPS, made a presentation on: ‘Sri Lanka: From Economic Recovery to Sustainable Growth”. The ceremony was presided over by Tom Hockley, Head of UNRC Office, Sri Lanka. Dr.Muhammad Hussain Malik, Economic Affairs Officer of ESCAP presented the key findings of the ESCAP Report. Representatives of the government, private sector, several leading civil society organizations, and members of the media attended the event.

Highlights in the Media

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2010/05/09/fin05.asp
http://www.nation.lk/2010/05/09/busi1.htm
http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/index.php/news/news/9986.html
http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/05/07/news01.asp
http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/05/07/bus01.asp
http://www.island.lk/2010/05/07/business1.html
http://www.island.lk/2010/05/07/business2.html
http://asiantribune.com/node/5378

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04 May 2010

The Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) in collaboration with the UNCTAD India, the Centre for WTO Studies, India, and the Commonwealth Secretariat, UK, organised a Stakeholder Consultation on production fragmentation in the textile and clothing sector in South Asia. The Consultation took place at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel in Colombo on the 4th of May 2010.

In the context of the impacts of the global economic crisis on economic growth and trade, there is a pressing need for the region to enhance its competitiveness in key industrial sectors. The textiles and clothing sector is one of the biggest industries in the South Asian region and each country in the region has comparative advantages in different stages in the supply chain of the production of clothing for the international market. The Stakeholder Consultation was in support of a study that attempts to identify potential supply chains which can be formed in the region whereby production in some sectors can be fragmented across different countries in the region, with each country producing that part of the value-chain in which it is most efficient.

For production fragmentation in supply chains to successfully develop, there is a need to identify the potential constraints that may be faced by different producers/exporters in different countries in the region. In this context, wide-ranged industry consultations with stakeholders from different countries within the region become necessary. The objective of the industry consultation held in Colombo was to obtain the Sri Lankan industry perspectives on the following issues:

• Whether the potential supply chains identified by the study are possible to form, given the quality variance, delivery delays, etc., that may exists but not captured by the economic analysis.
  
  
• Identify the possible constraints that may emerge in fostering such supply chains, mainly the non-tariff barriers and other supply side constraints at the domestic level.
  
  
• Increase awareness of possible investment opportunities in the region

Several representatives from the textile and clothing trade sector in Sri Lanka were present at the consultation along with representatives from the Board of Investment, Export Development Board and academia. The discussions were intensive and fruitful, with several important issues being brought to the table including the importance of non-price factors in sourcing from South Asia (quality, reliability of delivery, etc.), the role of intra-regional investment in supporting production fragmentation and the necessity to include the support services in the value chain without limiting the analysis to merchandise trade.

26th April, 2010

A regional workshop on ‘Equity in the Delivery of Public Services in Selected Developing Member Countries’ took place on the 26th of April, 2010 at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

Nisha Arunatilake made a presentation on ‘Sri Lanka: Experience and Best Practices in Public Service Delivery’ at this workshop. The workshop was organized as part of ADB’s strategy to strengthen inclusive growth.

Presentation

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20-21st April, 2010

Deshal de Mel and Suwendrani Jayaratne represented the IPS at the ‘Roundtable on SAFTA: A Precursor to 16th SAARC Summit’ organized by SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce & Industry in collaboration with Friedrich Nauman Stiftung, during 20-21st April, 2010 in Kathmandu.

De Mel and Jayaratne made presentations on "The Cost of Non-Cooperation: The Emergence of Bilateral FTAs in SAARC" and "Trade Facilitation Issues in SAARC", respectively.

Presentation

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16th April, 2010

IPS entered into a contract with Millennium Information Technologies to implement a state of art IT infrastructure in its New Building Complex, currently nearing completion, at the Independence Avenue, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka.

The Executive Director of IPS, Dr.Saman Kelegama and the Executive Vice President of the MIT, Mr.Faiq Faaiz signed the contract on the 16th of April 2010 at the IPS head office.

At completion, the solution will support a state of art Secure Local Area Network with Virtual Private Networking Capability and provide a Unified Communication Solution and a Secure Wireless Network covering the entire office premises which will enhance virtual team working facilities for IPS researchers. The solution is expected to be completed by August 2010 and the implementation will be carried out by MIT.

Following signing of the contract, the Executive Director also visited and inspected the building site and gave the necessary directives to the Engineering and Implementation team.

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3 April, 2010

A conference on ‘Trade Facilitation in South Asia: Prospects and Challenges for Regional Integration’ organized by the SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) in collaboration with the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), took place at the FPCCI, Karachi, Pakistan on 3rd April, 2010.

Suwendrani Jayaratne, Research Assistant, IPS, made a presentation on ‘Trade Facilitation and Automation of Systems’, at the Conference.

Presentation

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30th March – 02nd April 2010

IPS in collaboration with the South Asian Network for Development and Environmental Economics (SANDEE) organized a Proposal Writing Workshop on Environmental Economics and Policy at Tangerine Beach Hotel, Kalutara, during 30 March – 02 April 2010.

The workshop intended to develop proposal writing skills of young, upcoming researchers of environmental economics and other related branches of knowledge, to introduce key current policy concerns and research themes of environmental economics and to encourage original research aimed at strengthening and upgrading efforts for sustainable development in Sri Lanka and South Asia region.

The workshop resource persons were Priya Shyamsundar, Programme Director, SANDEE, Parakrama Samaratunga, Research Fellow and Head of Agricultural Economic Policy Unit, IPS, M.N. Murty, Professor of Economics, Institute of Economic Growth, University Enclave, Pranab Mukhopadhyay, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Goa University, and Mani Nepal, Environmental Development Economist, SANDEE. The workshop was attended by researchers and academics engaged in environmental economics research in Sri Lanka.

Dr Parakrama Samaratunga, Research Fellow and Head of Agricultural Economic Policy Unit delivered the welcome address. The introductory speech was made by Dr Priya Shyamsundar, Programme Director, SANDEE. Dr Nihal Atapattu, Senior Development Officer of Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) made the key note presentation on “Environmental Economics for Informed Policy Making in Sri Lanka”. SANDEE grantees from IPS, Asha Gunawardena, Research Officer and Manoj Thibbotuwawa, Research Officer, also presented their SANDEE research work at the workshop.

01 March 2010

The book: “Promoting Economic Cooperation in South Asia – Beyond SAFTA” edited by Sadiq Ahmed, Saman Kelegama, and Ejaz Ghani, and published by Sage, India, was launched by the Foreign Secretary, Romesh Jayasinghe at the Galadari Hotel, Colombo on 1st March 2010 in the presence of a distinguished gathering. Two IPS Researchers, Dushni Weerakoon and Deshal de Mel contributed chapters to the book which contains 17 chapters.

Naoko Ishii, Country Director of the World Bank and Biplove Choudhary, Trade Specialist, Asia Pacific Trade and Investment Initiative, UNDP Regional Centre Colombo, spoke on behalf of the World Bank and the UNDP, respectively. Joint editors, Saman Kelegama and Ejaz Ghani spoke on the contents of the book and argued the case for deeper economic integration in the South Asian region. The proceedings were followed by cocktails and fellowship.

Speeches

Book Contents

SAGE - Publications Link

The World Bank Link

Media Highlights:

http://www.lbo.lk/fullstory.php?nid=469373109

http://www.thebottomline.lk/2010/03/03/news32.html

http://www.island.lk/2010/03/05/business7.html

http://www.island.lk/2010/03/05/business5.html

24 February 2010

Executive Director of the IPS briefed the visiting IMF delegation to Sri Lanka on the current state of the Sri Lankan economy and the progress of the Presidential Taxation Commission work on economic incentives. The IMF team was led by Kalpana Kochhar, Deputy Director, Asia Pacific Department, and included IMF Economists, Dan Nyberg and Shanaka Peiris, and IMF Resident Representative in Sri Lanka, Koshy Mathai. The meeting took place at the IPS Conference Room, 24 February 2010.

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13th February 2010

Anushka Wijesinha, Research Officer, IPS made a presentation on “2010 and Beyond: Asia, South Asia and Sri Lanka” at the conference “Asian Trade: The Way Forward” organized by the Asian Development Dialogue held in association with the Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Kerala, in Trivandrum, India on 13th February 2010.

The discussions centered around the prospects for Asian countries of a recovery from the global economic crisis, the need for greater cooperation in South Asia to leverage on the growth of India and East Asia and India’s increasing role in the evolving international trade scenario.

The conference was chaired by Hon. Sashi Tharoor, Minister of State for External Affairs of the Government of India and former UN Under-Secretary General.

11-15 January 2010

Parakrama Samaratunga, Research Fellow and Head of Agricultural Economic Policy Unit, made a presentation on “A Note on Agricultural Issues of Sri Lanka” in the parallel working sessions on “Shaping Agriculture and Trade Policies in Sub Saharan Africa & South Asia” at the 11th Annual Global Development Conference organized by Global Development Networks (GDN), 11-15 January 2010, Prague, Czech Republic.

He also made a presentation on “Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on the Sri Lankan Economy” in a session on “Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on South Asia”